Contractor building $14 million arts facility

SANIBEL — Demolition is complete and Stevens Construction of Fort Myers has begun construction of a new, two-story complex for Big Arts at 900 Dunlop Road on Sanibel Island.

Stevens is providing construction management services for the $14 million, 27,000-square-foot facility that will include a 3,800-square-foot performing arts center with 414-seat theater. 

Scheduled for completion in January 2020, Stevens has demolished and will replace the previous 18,000-square-foot building that held an auditorium, gallery and offices. 

The new Big Arts facility will feature an impact-resistant, reflective glass façade that overlooks an outdoor veranda while reducing the heat load of the building. The first floor will also feature a lobby, green room, box office, gift shop, catering kitchen, dressing rooms with showers and an expanded art gallery. 

An education center will be on the second floor to host lectures as well as painting, drawing, photography, music, dance and pottery workshops and classes. The second floor will also include an administrative department with conference rooms and offices. 

Headquartered in Fort Myers, Stevens Construction has offices in Tampa and Orlando and specializes in construction management, general contracting and consulting services.