The Children’s Network of Southwest Florida, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children and preserving families, leased 7,542 square feet of office space at the Forum Corporate Park at 9160 Forum Corporate Parkway in Fort Myers, Fla.

This move represents a significant expansion of the organization’s footprint in the region, where it serves as the lead agency administering the child welfare system across five counties: Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades.

The leasing of the sizable office space by Children’s Network is expected to have a positive impact on Southwest Florida in multiple ways. First and foremost, it will enable the organization to enhance its operations and services, better supporting vulnerable children and families across the region.

Moreover, the successful lease agreement is seen as a positive signal for the Fort Myers commercial real estate market. With office vacancies tightening across the metro area, the demand demonstrated by Children’s Network for high-quality office space could spur additional speculative office development to meet future tenant needs.

“It’s exciting to see this building reach 100% occupancy for the first time!” added Palmer, Managing Director of Office and Investment Services at LQ Commercial. “The property was built in 2008, just as the market was sliding and office vacancies were spiking.  Economically, landlord’s that had vacancies in shell condition had great difficulty in competing with others that were already built out.  Now that inventory is thin, rental rates have risen to a point that first generation tenant improvements are justifiable.  This could be a sign that the area may be needing new office buildings to be built, which is very contrasting to that of the rest of the country.”

Adam Palmer, CCIM, SIOR, and Steve Wood of LQ Commercial represented the landlord, Forum Park II, LLC, in this transaction, while Mike Ciccarello & Brandon Stoneburner with Colliers represented the tenant, Children’s Network of Southwest Florida.