Lakeside Storage Suites

Lakeside Storage Suites at a Glance

Lakeside Storage Suites is a gated car condo and luxury storage community at 16710 Innovation Lane in south Fort Myers (ZIP 33913), inside the ITEC business park near Alico Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. Owners buy their suite outright, rather than renting, and use it to store exotic and classic cars, Class-A motorhomes, boats, personal watercraft and collections.

Detail	What we found
Address	16710 Innovation Ln, Fort Myers, FL 33913
Location	ITEC business park, Alico Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway corridor
Developers	Allan Development Group with Hardy Development Group
Project size	Nearly 80,000 square feet of storage suites
Year built	2023 (per recent listings)
Ownership	Individually owned suites with an owners association
Recent asking price	About $249 per square foot on a 2026 LoopNet listing

Sources: Suite Life Magazine (July 2021) and a LoopNet listing for 16710 Innovation Ln reviewed in October 2026. Always confirm current details with the seller or association.

Suite Sizes and Building Features

Suites here are large by storage standards. A recent listing showed two side-by-side units of 21 by 70 feet (1,470 square feet) and 28.5 by 70 feet (1,995 square feet), deep enough for a motorhome or a car collection with room for a lounge area.

• Tall ceilings: clear height of about 20 feet at the rear, sloping to about 17.5 feet at the front, which leaves space for a mezzanine.
• Big doors: 16-by-16-foot overhead doors rated for 160 mph winds.
• Power: three-phase power with individual utility meters, which matters if you plan to run lifts, compressors or a car charger.
• Climate: roof-mounted HVAC, so suites can be kept cool and dry. Humidity control is important in Southwest Florida for leather, paint and electronics.
• Construction: metal frame with concrete.
• Shared amenities: RV dump station, boat, car and dog wash, pressure-wash bay and a commercial-grade vacuum system.
• Security: perimeter fencing, gate-code entry and 24/7 camera surveillance.
• Included in fees: water and Wi-Fi are listed as covered by the owners association fees.

Many owners finish their suites with epoxy floors, cabinetry, a bar, a TV lounge or a second-story mezzanine. Check the association rules and get any required permits before you build out.

Why Car Condos Are Popular in Southwest Florida

Many people moving here from the Northeast and Midwest arrive with more vehicles and belongings than a Florida home can hold. Newer homes in gated communities often have two- or three-car garages, small lots and HOA rules that limit RV, boat or trailer parking in driveways. A car condo solves that problem off-site.

When Lakeside was first announced, the developer reported 68 suites sold in under two years, which shows how strong demand was. Buyers include car collectors, boaters, RV owners, seasonal residents who want a secure place to leave vehicles while they are up north, and small business owners.

Location: Who Lakeside Works Best For

The Alico Road corridor puts Lakeside close to many of south Lee County’s fastest-growing neighborhoods. Approximate drive times:

• Estero and Coconut Point: about 15 minutes. See our Estero homes for sale guide.
• Gateway, Pelican Preserve and Lehigh Acres: about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Bonita Springs: about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Southwest Florida International Airport, FGCU and I-75: all nearby on the Alico and Ben Hill Griffin corridor.

If you live in a gated community such as Miromar Lakes, WildBlue or The Brooks, a suite here can hold the boat, RV or second car your HOA will not let you keep at home.

Buying a Car Condo: What to Check First

A car condo is a commercial-style condominium, not a home, so the buying process is different from a house purchase. Use this checklist before you make an offer.

1. Read the condo documents. Get the declaration, bylaws, rules and current budget. Look at permitted uses, build-out rules, noise and hours limits, and whether you can rent your suite to someone else.
2. Know the association fees. Ask what the fees cover (water and Wi-Fi are listed here), how large the reserves are, and whether any special assessments are planned.
3. Plan your financing. Most residential mortgages do not cover storage condos. Many buyers pay cash or use a commercial or portfolio loan, which often requires a larger down payment. Talk to a lender early.
4. Budget for property taxes. A storage suite is not your residence, so it does not qualify for Florida’s homestead exemption. Taxes are based on the full assessed value. Check the parcel on the Lee County Property Appraiser website.
5. Insure the contents. The association’s master policy usually covers the building, not your vehicles or build-out. Ask your insurance agent about coverage for stored vehicles and improvements.
6. Confirm you cannot live in it. Car condos are zoned for storage and similar uses, not as a dwelling. Overnight stays are typically not allowed.
7. Measure everything. Check door height, depth and turning room for your motorhome or trailer, and confirm the power you need for lifts or EV charging.

For legal questions about condo documents, talk to a licensed Florida real estate attorney. For tax questions, talk to a CPA.

Lakeside Compared With Other Fort Myers Car Condos

Lakeside is one of several owner-occupied storage communities in Lee County. The same developer group built Island Storage Suites, a 24-unit project where most suites measure about 30 by 50 feet. Toy Vault, off US-41 near Alico Road, offers smaller suites of around 550 square feet, and a unit there sold in 2026 for $185,000 with association fees of about $1,064 a year.

The right fit depends on what you are storing. Smaller suites suit one or two cars or motorcycles. Deep suites like Lakeside’s 70-foot bays suit motorhomes, boats on trailers or a larger collection with a lounge.

Selling a Suite at Lakeside

Because car condos rarely come up for sale, a well-finished suite can draw strong interest, but the buyer pool is smaller than for homes. A few things help a suite sell faster and for more:

• Price on recent sales. Compare price per square foot with recent sales at Lakeside and nearby car condo communities, adjusted for build-out.
• Document your upgrades. Keep receipts and permits for mezzanines, lifts, HVAC, cabinetry and electrical work, since buyers and lenders will ask.
• Have the association documents ready. Buyers will want the declaration, rules, budget and fee history early.
• Market to the right buyers. Car clubs, boat and RV owners and seasonal residents are the core audience, along with commercial listing sites.

Lakeside Storage Suites FAQ

Where is Lakeside Storage Suites?

At 16710 Innovation Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33913, in the ITEC business park off Alico Road near Ben Hill Griffin Parkway.

Can I buy a suite or only rent one?

Suites are sold as individually owned condo units. Owners may be able to lease their suite to others, depending on the association rules.

How much does a suite cost?

A 2026 listing showed asking prices of about $249 per square foot. Prices vary by size, location in the building and build-out.

Can I store an RV or boat?

Yes. The deep bays and 16-foot doors are designed for motorhomes, boats and trailers, and the property has an RV dump station and wash bays.

Do car condos qualify for homestead?

No. Homestead applies only to your permanent residence, so a storage suite is taxed on its full assessed value.

Thinking about buying or selling a suite at Lakeside Storage Suites or another Fort Myers car condo? Call or text Sal DiBenedetto, licensed real estate broker with The DiBe Group, brokered by eXp Realty, at 239-256-5005, or send us a message.