SCBR marks groundbreaking for White Pelican Villas
Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts (SCBR) officially launched its White Pelican Villas project on March 27 with a groundbreaking ceremony on Sanibel.
Stevens Construction began construction in December for the $14 million, five-acre project located at the site of the former Beachview Cottages, which were destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Designed by Southview Studios, with interior design by the Wegman Design Group, it will feature 22 oceanfront and oceanview units: 10 350-square-foot guest suites, each equipped with a refrigerator and small kitchen; 11 600-square-foot one-bedroom suites, each also with a refrigerator and small kitchen; and one 2,100-square-foot deluxe suite, featuring four bedrooms, four baths and a full kitchen. White Pelican Villas will also include a pool, tiki structure, event lawn, fire pits and a boardwalk to the beach.
“Recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton has remained our top priority, as we simultaneously reimagine the former Beachview Cottages with this new project,” SCBR Board Chairman Tony Lapi said. “With construction now well underway, we’re taking this moment to officially mark the start of new villas representing our commitment to the future. This ceremonial groundbreaking is a celebration of progress and the next chapter for our resort and the community we serve.”
He added that White Pelican Villas represents a strategic reinvestment in the island’s hospitality infrastructure. Designed in keeping with sustainable coastal development, it will integrate environmental preservation techniques with luxury hospitality.
Key project highlights include:
– Elevated construction: The finished floor elevation is set at 20 feet, surpassing the base flood elevation of 9 feet.
– Wildlife-friendly lighting: All glazing is designed to meet light reflectance levels in accordance with turtle code requirements. Exterior lighting features amber, turtle-friendly fixtures approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to comply with the FWC and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) standards.
– Sustainable systems: The project incorporates geothermal heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, along with geothermal pool heating, to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
“We are proud to partner with Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts and bring White Pelican Villas to the Sanibel community,” Stevens Construction President Mark Stevens said. “Our team collaborated with Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts and the design team for seven months prior to construction starting and identified $600,000 in cost-savings suggestions. These strategic recommendations were key to keeping the project on budget and moving forward into construction. The new resort will offer beautiful Gulf views and private beach access, all while being designed and built to withstand future storms.”
The project is scheduled for completion in early 2026.
White Pelican Villas is at 3325 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel.