Kingston is the largest new master-planned community coming to the Estero area: a Cameratta Companies development on east Corkscrew Road planned for up to about 10,000 homes, 700,000 square feet of commercial space and thousands of acres of preserve. Construction started in November 2025, model homes are opening in fall 2026, and the first residents are expected around the end of 2026. Here is what buyers need to know.
Where Is Kingston?
Kingston sits along east Corkscrew Road in southeast Lee County, roughly 10 miles east of I-75, near where Corkscrew Road bends south toward State Road 82 and the Collier County line. Homes will carry Estero addresses. It is the same corridor as Cameratta’s other communities, Verdana Village, Corkscrew Shores and The Place at Corkscrew, so buyers can expect a similar style of resort-amenity living.
Reported acreage varies by source and by what is counted: Gulfshore Business described about 5,500 acres at groundbreaking, Engage Estero cites about 6,000 acres, and September 2026 coverage of the model opening describes more than 7,600 acres, with more than 3,750 acres set aside as preserve and wildlife habitat. Every source agrees that roughly half or more of the land will stay as preserve.
Builders and Home Types
Phase 1 includes four national builders, with Kolter Homes reported for a later phase:
| Builder | What they are building | Reported size range |
|---|---|---|
| Pulte Homes | Single-family homes | About 1,518–4,272 sq ft |
| Lennar | Villas and single-family homes | About 1,462–3,945 sq ft |
| Neal Communities | Villas and single-family homes | About 1,433–4,443 sq ft |
| Taylor Morrison | Esplanade at Kingston (about 1,285 homes, 14 floor plans) | About 1,329–4,591 sq ft |
The September 2026 model-opening coverage lists pricing starting from the $400s, while earlier reporting at groundbreaking cited a range of roughly $300,000 to $700,000. Expect prices to vary widely by builder, neighborhood and lot, and to change as phases release.
Amenities, Shopping and Schools
- Amenities: plans shown at the model opening include an indoor sports complex, a resort pool with waterfalls and slides, a spa and wellness center and a culinary center.
- Commercial: up to 700,000 square feet of shopping, dining and services, plus a planned hotel of about 240 units.
- Schools: recent coverage names True North Classical Academy, a K-12 charter school, with Phase 1 targeted for 2028. Engage Estero also lists a K-8 school in the approved plan. Always confirm public school assignments with the School District of Lee County.
Timeline
| Milestone | Timing (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Groundbreaking | November 13, 2025 |
| Model home construction | Spring 2026 |
| Model home grand opening | October 17, 2026 |
| First residents | Around the end of 2026 |
| Traffic signal at the Corkscrew Road entrance | Expected fall 2026 |
| Full build-out | More than a decade |
What Kingston Means for Estero Buyers and Owners
Engage Estero estimates about 22,000 people live along east Corkscrew Road today, and that number could pass 57,000 with Kingston and other planned projects, or more than 70,000 including Corkscrew Grove in Collier County. For buyers, that means more new-construction choice, new amenities and more shopping close to home. It also means more traffic on Corkscrew Road, so commute time to I-75 is worth testing before you buy.
If you want new construction now rather than in a first phase, compare Kingston with Verdana Village, which already has open amenities and shopping, and see every option on our Estero new construction page.
The Audubon Lawsuit and Settlement
Kingston borders Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, one of the most important wildlife areas in Florida, and the project has drawn opposition from conservation groups. The National Audubon Society sued federal agencies over Kingston’s permits in August 2025, citing concerns about Florida panther and wood stork habitat. A court denied a request to pause construction in March 2026, and on August 13, 2026 Audubon and Cameratta announced a settlement. Under it, easements across the sanctuary return to Audubon within two years, the developer supports panther corridors, and a planned evacuation road through the sanctuary is no longer in play. Cameratta had dropped that road in July 2026.
Roads: The Spine Road to SR 82
Kingston is building a main road, often called the Spine Road, from Corkscrew Road north to State Road 82, giving residents a second way in and out. A traffic signal at Corkscrew Road and the Spine Road was expected to be working by fall 2026, with a signal at SR 82 expected in winter 2027-28. Corkscrew Road itself remains two lanes east of Alico Road, and Lee County does not project widening that stretch until about 2031, so expect longer drives to I-75 in peak season.
Closer to I-75, Lee County’s Corkscrew Road Widening Phase 2 runs from Bella Terra Boulevard to just east of Alico Road and includes a new traffic signal at the Alico Road intersection, according to the county’s July 2026 Roadwatch report. In July 2026, WGCU reported that the developer dropped a proposed hurricane evacuation road that could have crossed part of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, so the Spine Road and Corkscrew Road remain the community’s planned routes in and out.
Living Next to a Preserve
For many buyers, Kingston’s location next to thousands of acres of preserve and the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is part of the appeal. It also comes with responsibilities: expect wildlife including panthers, bears, wading birds and alligators, dark-sky style lighting rules, careful stormwater design and community guidelines on pets, trash and landscaping. Buyers who value nature, trails and quiet tend to see these as features, while buyers who want urban convenience may prefer communities closer to US-41.
CDD and HOA Fees
Lee County created the Kingston One Community Development District in October 2023, covering about 2,429 acres. A CDD finances roads, drainage and amenities through bonds repaid by homeowners through an annual assessment on the property tax bill. That means Kingston homes will carry CDD assessments in addition to HOA dues. Published amounts were not available as of October 2026, so ask each builder for the CDD debt and operating assessment for the specific lot.
Go Deeper
For a builder-by-builder breakdown with prices, amenities and a buyer checklist, read Kingston Estero: builders, prices and amenities. To compare Kingston with its neighbors, see Kingston vs. Verdana Village vs. The Place vs. Corkscrew Shores.
How Kingston’s First Phase Is Organized
Kingston’s first phase is split into two neighborhoods: Kingston South, with three builders, and Esplanade at Kingston, built by Taylor Morrison. Knowing which one a model sits in helps when you compare amenities, HOA structure and lot options.
| Neighborhood | Builders | Planned homes |
|---|---|---|
| Kingston South | Pulte Homes, Lennar, Neal Communities | 3,625 |
| Esplanade at Kingston | Taylor Morrison | 1,285 |
Those counts come from Gulfshore Business coverage on August 26, 2026, ahead of the October 17 grand opening. Together they make up roughly half of the up to 10,000 homes approved for Kingston at full build-out.
The 30-Acre Amenity Campus
Lennar describes the amenities shown at the model opening as part of a 30-acre amenity campus. Beyond the pool and sports complex, Lennar’s page adds The Saloon, a venue for live music, casual dining and events, and outdoor fitness spaces alongside the sports courts.
Ask each builder which amenities your home will have access to and when each one is scheduled to open. In large master plans, some amenities open years after the first move-ins.
Home Collections From Lennar
Lennar’s Kingston page lists Executive, Manor, Estate and Villas collections. Manor and Estate homes come in single- and two-story designs with up to five bedrooms and three-car garages, while the Villas offer up to three bedrooms and two-car garages. For builder-by-builder square footage, see our Kingston builders and prices guide.
Buying New Construction at Kingston: A Contract Checklist
A builder contract is written to protect the builder, so read it before you get attached to a floor plan. These are the items we review with buyers at every new-construction community on Corkscrew Road.
- Register your agent on the first visit. Most builders require your agent to be with you, or registered, at your first visit to the sales center. Ask each builder how it handles buyer-agent compensation before you visit.
- The CDD disclosure. Florida law (section 190.048) requires the first sale contract for a home in a community development district to carry a bold disclosure above your signature line stating that the district may levy taxes or assessments. Look for the disclosure naming the Kingston One Community Development District covered above, and ask for the annual assessment for your specific lot.
- Lender incentives. Builder incentives are often tied to an affiliated lender. Lennar’s disclaimer states that using its affiliated lender, Lennar Mortgage, is not required. Compare the incentive against outside loan quotes on rate and fees.
- Lot premiums and options. Ask for the lot premium, the price of each structural option and the design center budget in writing before you sign.
- Completion date language. Check how the contract defines the estimated completion date and what happens if construction runs late.
- Independent inspections. Ask whether you can bring a licensed home inspector for a pre-drywall and a final inspection, even though the home is new.
- Warranty terms. Get the builder warranty document and note what is covered for one year, two years and longer.
Prices, features and incentives change by release, so confirm everything with the builder’s sales team. For contract questions, talk to a licensed Florida real estate attorney.
Property Taxes, CDD and Homestead at Kingston
Your yearly tax bill at Kingston will include county property taxes plus the CDD assessment, and full-time residents can lower the property tax portion with homestead. Kingston homes are in unincorporated Lee County, so exemptions go through the Lee County Property Appraiser.
- Homestead exemption: the first $25,000 of assessed value is exempt from all taxes, plus up to $26,411 in 2026 on non-school taxes for value above $50,000, according to the Lee County Property Appraiser.
- Deadline: you must own the home on January 1 and apply by March 1 of that year. If you close in late 2026, you can apply for 2027.
- Save Our Homes cap: once homestead is granted, yearly increases in assessed value are limited to 3 percent.
- CDD assessments: these are separate from county taxes and are not reduced by homestead.
In a new home’s first year, the tax bill may be based on the lot alone, and the next bill can rise sharply once the finished home is assessed. Ask the builder or your lender to estimate taxes on the completed home, then run the numbers in our SWFL mortgage calculator. For tax advice, talk to a licensed CPA.
Kingston or a Resale? How to Decide
Kingston makes sense if you want a brand-new home, are comfortable with a construction timeline, and plan to stay while the community fills in. A resale nearby can make more sense if you want finished amenities, mature landscaping and a known HOA budget today.
- Choose Kingston if you want builder warranties, current energy codes, design choices and the newest amenity campus.
- Choose a resale in Corkscrew Shores or Verdana Village if you need to move soon, want an established neighborhood or prefer to negotiate on price.
- Selling first? Get a free Estero home value estimate so you know your budget before you pick a lot.
You can also browse new builds across the region on our Fort Myers new construction page.
More Questions About Kingston
What is Kingston South?
Kingston South is the first-phase neighborhood where Pulte Homes, Lennar and Neal Communities are building, with 3,625 homes planned, according to Gulfshore Business.
Do I have to use the builder’s lender?
No. Lennar states that using its affiliated lender is not required. Builder incentives may be tied to the affiliated lender, so compare offers.
Will my contract disclose the CDD?
Yes. Florida law requires a bold CDD disclosure above the buyer’s signature line in the first sale contract for homes in a community development district.
Can I get homestead on a Kingston home?
Yes, if it is your permanent residence on January 1. File with the Lee County Property Appraiser by March 1. Homestead does not reduce CDD assessments.
Touring Kingston models? Bring your own representation. Call or text Sal DiBenedetto, licensed real estate broker with The DiBe Group, brokered by eXp Realty, at 239-256-5005, or contact us before your first sales center visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes will Kingston have?
Kingston is planned for up to about 10,000 homes at build-out, developed in phases over more than a decade.
Who is building homes in Kingston?
Phase 1 builders are Pulte Homes, Lennar, Neal Communities and Taylor Morrison (Esplanade at Kingston). Kolter Homes has been reported for a later phase.
When do Kingston model homes open?
The model home grand opening is scheduled for October 17, 2026, with the first residents expected around the end of 2026.
How much are homes in Kingston?
Recent coverage lists pricing starting from the $400s. Prices vary by builder, home type and lot and will change as phases release.
Is Kingston in Estero?
Kingston is on east Corkscrew Road in unincorporated Lee County, and homes will have Estero addresses.
Development plans, builders, prices and timelines come from the developers, local government and news reports as of September 2026 and can change. Confirm current details with the builder’s sales center before you buy.
Upcoming Southwest Florida developments series: Kingston · Corkscrew Grove Villages · Verdana Village 2026 update · Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay · Estero developments 2026–2027
Sources
- Gulfshore Business: Work begins on Kingston
- North Fort Myers Neighbor: Model homes opening at Kingston
- Engage Estero: Greater Estero development summary
- Engage Estero: Greater Estero Community Report, September 2026
Interested in Kingston?
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The DiBe Group, brokered by eXp Realty. Development details, pricing and timelines are set by the developers and can change. See our privacy policy.
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