Party on the Patio Celebrates Refreshed Town Center

The work is largely done and the end of the Marco Town Center renovation project is now official.

Brixmor Property Group, the center’s owner, marked the end of the more than two-year long, $11.5 million revitalization of the 32-year-old facility with an event dubbed Promenade for Prizes. The celebration included representatives from Brixmor’s South Region office in Orlando, Marco Island city government, Marco Island Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dianna Dohm and community members. 

Held in the center’s courtyard, Promenade for Prizes also included: 

* Live music.

* Store activities, such as wine and tequila tastings, margaritas, food samples from plaza eateries, free donuts and outdoor games.

* A prize drawing inside stores, with a grand prize of a sunset cruise for two on the Marco Island Princess.

* A ribbon cutting ceremony.

In his remarks to the gathering, Barry Rodenstein, Brixmor’s Senior Vice President for redevelopment leasing, praised the work of the company’s project redevelopment team and said he was excited by the final result.

“Five years ago, we saw the potential of the town,” he said. “There’s been so much growth down here. We saw the potential of the property and we made a $12 million investment here over the last couple of years. It’s truly stunning.”

Today, the Town Center has newly modernized facades and other exterior features, extensive landscaping improvements, updated signage, LED lighting, a reconfigured parking lot with landscaped islands and shade trees, outdoor patios and gathering places, public art installations and much more. 

Rodenstein was followed by Erik Brechnitz, Chair of Marco Island City Council, who noted that he was chair of the city’s planning board when the project initially presented and later, as a council member, he was able to vote to approve the project.

“I want to tell you the Brixmor people were terrific to work with,” he said. “Every time the city asked them to change something, they said ‘yes.’ There was never a ‘no,’ not even a ‘maybe.’ We’re so happy that they felt they could invest $12 million in our community.” Brechnitz then added with a smile, “It’s a big investment and we hope they make a bundle of money in this place,” which drew laughter from the crowd.

The changes have included the addition of 12 new retailers: A Better Solution, Cocomo's Grill, Coton Frais, Duo Furniture & Lighting, J. McLaughlin, Marco Island Computers, Mr. Bentley's Ice Cream, Elite Nails and Spa, OREA Blu, Paddy Murphy's Irish Pub, Thai Thai Sushi Bowl and the Tropical Smoothie Café. Most are already in operation, but a few will be open within six-to-12 months.

About nine storefronts are available, but Rodenstein has said previously that leasing should be completed in 18-to-24 months. 

“We’re very excited about that and I’m sure there’s more to come,” said Dohm about the new additions to the island’s business community and a refreshed Town Center. “When people come onto the island, this is the first place they stop, so to have this beautiful, remodeled mall makes us very proud,” she added. 

Marco Town Center is located at 1017 North Collier Boulevard, at the intersection with Bald Eagle Drive.