Stevens Construction has completed Shalimar Beach Resort located at 2823 W. Gulf Dr. on Sanibel Island in 18 months, announced Dan Adams, executive vice president/partner, Stevens Construction, Inc.
Celebrating with a SanCap Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony, pictured above, on the third anniversary weekend of Hurricane Ian, the 52,207-square-foot property features multiple buildings offering several accommodation options for both short-term and long-term guests. It is the first ground-up resort to open since the storm.
“Shalimar stands phoenix-like as a shining model of the islands’ sustainable future,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer. “We have all been watching eagerly as it took the shape of things to come over the past three years.”
Established in 1959, Shalimar includes a 27,334-square-foot, two-story building with 21 studio-style hotel rooms, situated over parking. The resort also features a 6,032-square-foot, two-story fourplex building with two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom, two-bathroom villas over covered parking.
Stevens Construction is also building four duplex buildings with one-bedroom villas situated over covered parking and a manager’s suite, located adjacent to the office and resort lobby.
All 33 units feature a modern coastal design and include a fully equipped kitchen, tile flooring throughout, and a screened balcony with Gulf views. The property also features a saltwater beachfront pool, rooftop terrace, guest laundry facilities, and a boardwalk to the Gulf.
Forced to rebuild after Ian washed away his family’s previous resort, Sean Niesel, Shalimar’s owner, reached out to Stevens Construction after the new beach resort was already designed; however, it was over his budget.
Stevens Construction spent six months working with the client and the architect to identify ways to save money within the existing design, finding $1.4 million in cost savings in the plans. That allowed the project to move forward within the client’s budget.
The newly designed Shalimar Beach Resort features an enhanced structural design with 559 concrete piles securing the eight buildings.
Each building is situated six feet above the base flood elevation to ensure building resilience, which was proven during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, as no water entered the newly constructed buildings.
Shalimar also incorporates turtle-friendly glass and lighting to protect hatching sea turtles by controlling beachfront illumination.
The Stevens Construction team includes Director of Preconstruction Nick Burkel, Estimating Engineer Evan Lopes, Senior Project Manager Mike Brooks, Senior Superintendent Tom Porter, and Project Administrator Gina Varner. Architecture Joyce Owens is the architect of record.
Shalimar will begin welcoming back guests on Sept. 28, 2025, three years after Ian. For more information and to make reservations, visit Shalimar.com.