Fort Myers lifestyle center names new GM

Bell Tower, a shopping, dining and entertainment destination in Fort Myers, has named longtime industry executive James Brennan its new general manager.

Brennan has more than 25 years of retail real estate experience, including responsibility and direct oversight of millions of square feet of open-air lifestyle, regional shopping centers and other commercial real estate projects nationwide.

“I am delighted to welcome James Brennan to the leadership team at Bell Tower,” says Patty Nooney, executive vice president for Madison Marquette, the real estate investor, developer and service provider that owns the shopping center. “James comes to us with extensive industry experience, having held a variety of executive-level positions with Vestar and Simon Property Group, among other retail real estate and development organizations.”

Bell Tower has been completely refreshed and redefined, according to the statement, with a bevy of new eateries and entertainment options. Restaurants include DaRuMa Japanese Steak House and Sushi Lounge, Grimaldi's Pizzeria, Burntwood Tavern, Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill, Cantina Laredo, T.G.I. Friday's and Ice Spot, while entertainment venues include Dave & Buster’s and a 20-screen Regal Cinemas.

“This is an exciting time in retail real estate management, and I couldn’t be happier to be joining such an influential shopping center and historic part of the Fort Myers community,” Brennan says in the release. “As the industry continues to embrace the desirability of open-air lifestyle centers like Bell Tower, we’re seeing new leases signed and a healthy combination of brand-name and entrepreneurial specialty retailers, restaurants, and services each looking for new homes.”