New Ambassador Hotel owner ready to begin renovating

FORT MYERS, Fla.- WINK News is taking you inside The Ambassador Hotel, vacant for seven years.

Though it has been considered an eyesore by many, the building now has a new owner.

The lobby of the hotel seems like it’s locked in the 1980s, but not for much longer.

The new owner will renovate the place, creating apartments for those 55 and older.

Bob McFarlane tapped his reserves of patience during the two years that it took to negotiate the sale.

“The deed has been transferred, and recorded,” said McFarlane, “We are the owners.”

He showed us rooms on the 21st floor, with stunning views all around. McFarlane says 70 percent of the building will be gutted, and renovated into ‘Campo Felice’ — meaning pleasant fields.

The building will be re-painted off-white, with blue tinted windows to reflect the Caloosahatchee River.

The rooms will be modernized, and central air installed.

“There will be some efficiencies, they’ll be one bedrooms and two bedrooms.”

Apartments will rent, starting at $1,400 a month, including meals. The idea is to tap into the growing number of people who are downsizing as they get older.

“The passion is, helping people live better lives.”

McFarlane says he’s proud to oversee the renaissance of the building, so prominent on the east edge of downtown Fort Myers.

“I look forward to a great place, that I would like to live in.”

McFarlane hopes to start the renovation in a few months. The hotel could possibly open  in 2016.