The development of Cape Coral

Cape Coral, a city located in Southwest Florida along the Gulf of Mexico, is the perfect destination for those seeking a paradise-like lifestyle. Founded in 1957 by the Rosen brothers, Jack and Leonard, Cape Coral was built with a unique vision in mind. The brothers set out to transform the vast expanse of pasture and swampy land north of the Caloosahatchee River into a canal-filled haven, allowing residents easy access to the Gulf of Mexico by boat. With the conversion of the swampy land and the addition of numerous canals and roads, Cape Coral emerged as the Venice of America with an impressive 400 miles of water channels.

Cape Coral today

Since its establishment, Cape Coral has experienced tremendous growth and is currently the second-largest city in Florida in terms of land area. It is also considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the entire United States. The city began its residential development in 1958, but it lacked a convenient transportation connection to Fort Myers. Recognizing this need, the lower Cape Coral Bridge was constructed in 1964, linking the city to Fort Myers. In 1997, the upper Midpoint Bridge was also built, spanning the wide Caloosahatchee River. Both bridges are over 1.5 miles long, providing a seamless connection between Cape Coral and Fort Myers.

The oldest part of Cape Coral, known as the old yacht harbor, was built in the 1960s. In 1970, Cape Coral was officially incorporated as a city. Today, Cape Coral stands as a modern villa city, free from high-rise buildings. The city boasts countless beautiful villas with pools, and many even come equipped with private boat docks. The subtropical vegetation, featuring palm trees and blooming bushes, adds to the charm of the city. Cape Corals road network consists of a 4-lane square grid, with a speed limit of 45 mph. With approximately 225,000 residents, Cape Coral also attracts an additional 20,000 tourists and snowbirds during the winter months, seeking refuge from colder climates.