Architect sees improvements

Architects are often the first to hear about development projects because they're involved in the initial stages.

So it's encouraging to hear leading architects such as Dan McGahey of Gora/McGahey Architects of Fort Myers say there's some new business in the pipeline.

Gora/McGahey recently announced it had been selected to plan and design a new office building for women's retailer Chico's FAS at the company's headquarters in Fort Myers. The 146,000-square-foot building will be located on the company's 60-acre campus on Metro Parkway.

“We're seeing some investment groups investigating and doing due diligence on the value of distressed properties,” says McGahey. “We've seen that increase in the past 18 months.”

The firm's revenues last year were flat, McGahey says, but he says they could rise 10% this year. “Commercial development is what we're seeing leading the charge,” he notes.