State Regional Service Center Ft. Myers, Florida

Corner with Rotunda

Corner with Rotunda

Courtyard with Stair

Courtyard with Stair

Courtyard with Stair and Rotunda

Courtyard with Stair and Rotunda

Courtyard with Rotunda

Courtyard with Rotunda

Courtyard with Stair and Rotunda

Courtyard with Stair and Rotunda

Rotunda

Rotunda

Parking Garage Stair

Parking Garage Stair

Site Plan

Site Plan

First Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Third Floor Plan

Third Floor Plan

Fort Myers Downtown

Fort Myers Downtown

South Entry

South Entry

Rotunda

Rotunda

Client: State of Florida, Department of General Services

Location: 2295 Victoria Avenue

Site: A 6.7 acre urban site surrounded by low-rise residential and commercial buildings. The site had several existing specimen trees.

Program Challenge: The challenge was to design a 232,000 square foot office building and a 620-car parking garage. The building needed to accommodate multiple tenants with extensive meeting, training, and instructional areas; conference facilities; administrative offices; and food service and shipping/receiving facilities.

Solution: Rowe Architects designed the structure to respond appropriately to the urban environment while serving as a transition between the residences in the neighborhood and the taller business and government buildings nearby. A three story design, as well as the use of Florida keystone, brick masonry, standing seam metal roofing, and existing vegetation, helped meet those goals. The center is planned around existing specimen trees in an inner courtyard defined by two three-story wings connected by an octagonal entrance rotunda. The rotunda, the building's major entry and public lobby space, signifies the public government identity of the building and serves as a landmark on a major vehicular entry into downtown Fort Myers. The white freestanding stair towers, constructed of architectural steel, were inspired by the nautical heritage of the area. Covered walkways and broad overhangs shield the building and its users from the coastal area’s strong sunlight and heavy rains. The semi-public courtyard provides both shaded and sunny spaces for dining, breaks and contemplation. The building’s Florida keystone base and accents are complemented by white steel framing, light gray brick, and a warm, gray standing seam metal roof.

The project was bid in phases and fast-tracked with multiple overlapping contracts. It was completed 12% under budget and six months ahead of schedule. It was also honored with a variety of awards: the 1990 Un-built Design Award from AIA Tampa Bay, the 1992 AIA Tampa Bay Merit Awards from both the Lay Jury and the Peer Jury, and the 1992 Award for Excellence from AIA Florida. The project was also featured in the June 1992 issue of Architecture magazine.

Award for Excellence,1992, AIA Florida
Merit Award – Lay Jury, 1992, AIA Tampa Bay
Merit Award – Peer Jury, 1992, AIA Tampa Bay
Un-Built Design Award, 1990, AIA Tampa Bay1990, “Florida Architect”, AIA Florida, Nov. / Dec. issue

Published, 1992, “Florida Architect”, AIA Florida, September / October issue
Published, 1992, “Architecture”, the magazine of the AIA, June issue
Published, 2000, “Ed Carpenter … Breath of Light”, l’Arca Edizioni spa, monograph of glass artist Ed Carpenter