Kingston Estero: What Buyers Need to Know in 2026

By Mark & Dawn Borg | June 18, 2026

If you've been following what's happening along Corkscrew Road in Estero, you already know Kingston is one of the biggest real estate stories in Southwest Florida right now. Groundbreaking happened in November 2025. Model homes are going up. And buyers from across the country are searching for answers — who's building, how much will homes cost, when can I actually move in, and what are the catches?

We've been fielding these questions from clients since before the shovels went in the ground. Here's what we know, what's still being finalized, and what every buyer should understand before they walk into a model home or go under contract.

The Builders, the Sections, and What Each One Offers

Kingston isn't a single neighborhood — it's more like a small city being built from scratch. Understanding the project's structure is the first thing buyers need to get straight.

Kingston South is the larger residential section, planned for approximately 3,625 homes. It's primarily being built by Lennar, Pulte Homes, and Neal Communities. This section will offer a mix of single-family homes and villas at various price points, though official pricing hasn't been released as of this writing.

Esplanade at Kingston is Taylor Morrison's section, planned for roughly 1,285 homes. Taylor Morrison's Esplanade brand is well-established in Southwest Florida and is known for resort-style living with a clubhouse, social programming, and amenity-rich lifestyle. If the active-lifestyle and community-amenity experience is a priority for you, this is the section to watch closely.

Kolter Homes is also part of the builder mix, with additional sections expected to be announced as the project unfolds.

At buildout, Kingston will include roughly 700,000 square feet of commercial space — shops, restaurants, and services woven into the community alongside the residential neighborhoods. The developer has also committed more than 3,300 acres to restored wildlife habitat and natural preserves, which is a meaningful differentiator in a region where land is increasingly scarce.

What this means practically for buyers: you're not choosing between one floor plan and one price point. You'll be comparing product lines, lifestyle philosophies, builder reputations, and phased timelines across multiple builders — which is exactly the kind of decision where having local expertise in your corner pays off.

What Buyers Need to Know Before They Commit

Kingston is generating significant early interest, and builders in high-demand master-planned communities often use that momentum to their advantage. Before you fall in love with a floor plan, there are four things every buyer should have a clear handle on.

CDD fees are coming. New master-planned communities of this scale in Lee County virtually always carry Community Development District assessments. A CDD funds the roads, utilities, amenities, and infrastructure that the developer builds out over time — and the cost is spread across homeowners as a line item on their annual property tax bill. Typical CDD assessments in comparable Estero and Bonita Springs communities run roughly $1,500 to $5,000 or more per year, depending on the community, homesite size, and phase of construction. Kingston hasn't published final figures yet, but assume they're coming. Before you sign anything, ask what the projected CDD assessment will be for your specific homesite and product line. (For a deeper look at how CDD fees work in this market, see our guide: CDD Fees in Bonita Springs and Estero: What Every Buyer Needs to Know.)

Builder contracts are not standard purchase contracts. When you buy new construction, you're signing the builder's contract — not the Florida standard residential contract you'd use in a resale transaction. Builder contracts heavily favor the builder: they control the timeline, materials substitutions, finish-out pricing, and escalation clauses. The builder's preferred lender often offers incentives — rate buy-downs, closing cost credits — but those incentives typically come with conditions. Read the fine print carefully. (New Construction Contracts in Bonita Springs and Estero: What Every Buyer Must Know Before Signing covers this in detail.)

Deposit requirements and construction timelines carry real risk. When you go under contract on a home that hasn't been built yet, you're putting down a deposit — sometimes 5–10% of the purchase price — against a home you won't close on for 12, 18, or 24 months. A lot can change in that window: interest rates, your financial situation, the builder's timeline. Make sure you understand exactly what your deposit protections are, under what circumstances you can exit, and whether your deposit is refundable if something changes. These are non-trivial questions, and the answers vary by builder and contract.

Get your own agent. The sales representatives in the model home work for the builder. They're knowledgeable, professionally trained, and genuinely helpful — and their job is to sell you a home. Your buyer's agent, by contrast, works for you. In new construction, the builder typically pays the buyer's agent commission, so representation costs you nothing out of pocket. Having an experienced agent review your contract, walk you through the builder's process, and advocate for you on design options and incentives is one of the most practical decisions a new construction buyer can make.

The Kingston Timeline — When Can You Actually Move In?

Here's the honest picture as of mid-2026.

Model homes are currently under construction along Corkscrew Road. Based on the timelines Cameratta Companies and its builders have communicated publicly, models will likely be open for touring in late 2026. Full residential sales — meaning you can go under contract on your own home — are expected to launch in late 2026, with first closings and move-ins projected for early 2027.

That's not a drawback — it's actually part of the opportunity. Buyers who do their homework now, identify which sections and builders align with their lifestyle and budget, and get prequalified early are the ones best positioned when sales open. Early buyers in master-planned communities often have first pick of homesites, floor plans, and introductory pricing before demand builds and inventory tightens.

On the Corkscrew Road location: Kingston sits east of Interstate 75 along Corkscrew Road, in a corridor of Estero that's been building out rapidly over the past several years. Verdana Village is the largest comparable community nearby. A traffic signal at the Corkscrew Road and Spine Road intersection was scheduled to be operational by Fall 2026, which matters for daily life in the early phases. As Kingston builds out and its commercial component develops, the area's convenience will increase substantially — but buyers should factor in that some amenities and services will take time to arrive.

The preserve commitment is genuine. More than 3,300 of Kingston's roughly 7,000 acres are dedicated to restored wildlife habitat and protected preserves. For buyers who value natural buffers and open space between neighborhoods, this is a meaningful part of the community's long-term character.

One more note: buyers sometimes ask whether there are any legal or permitting complications with Kingston's development. There have been permitting discussions related to wetlands and environmental approvals that are common in large-scale Florida development projects. Construction has moved forward and Cameratta's groundbreaking ceremony took place in November 2025 with all five builders present. For the most current status on permits, approvals, and any community-specific updates, we recommend connecting directly with us or following the community's official communications.

Kingston is one of the most significant real estate projects in Southwest Florida right now. The combination of five nationally recognized builders, a thoughtfully scaled master plan, substantial preserve land, and a proven growth corridor in Estero makes it worth serious attention — especially if you're planning ahead for a 2027 move-in.

If you want to stay ahead of sales openings, understand which sections match your priorities, or compare Kingston to other new construction options in Bonita Springs and Estero, we're happy to walk you through what we know. Download our free Southwest Florida Relocation Guide for a comprehensive look at communities, costs, and what to expect — then give us a call at 239-350-4474 to schedule a consultation. We'd love to help you find the right fit, whether that's Kingston or somewhere else in Southwest Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is building homes at Kingston in Estero?

Kingston features five nationally recognized builders: Lennar Homes, Pulte Homes, Neal Communities, Taylor Morrison, and Kolter Homes. Each builder is expected to offer different product lines, price points, and lifestyle focuses within the community. Taylor Morrison's section, Esplanade at Kingston, is specifically designed around resort-style living and social amenities.

When will Kingston homes be available to purchase?

As of mid-2026, model homes are under construction and expected to open for touring in late 2026. Residential sales to the public are anticipated to begin in late 2026, with first closings and move-ins projected for early 2027. Buyers who prepare early — getting prequalified, researching builders, and connecting with a local agent — will be best positioned when sales open.

Will Kingston have CDD fees?

New master-planned communities of Kingston's scale in Lee County, Florida typically carry Community Development District (CDD) fees. These assessments fund roads, utilities, and community amenities and appear as a separate line item on the annual property tax bill. Kingston's specific CDD assessment amounts have not been published as of mid-2026. Buyers should ask for projected figures before going under contract, as these fees can add $1,500 to $5,000 or more per year to the total cost of ownership.

Do I need a buyer's agent to purchase at Kingston?

You don't need one, but it's strongly recommended — and it costs you nothing. In new construction, the builder typically pays the buyer's agent commission. The model home sales representative works for the builder; your own agent represents your interests in contract review, design center negotiations, and the full purchase process. That independent representation can make a meaningful difference, especially in a builder-drafted contract.

How does Kingston compare to other new construction in Estero?

Kingston's closest comparable in scale is Verdana Village, located nearby on Corkscrew Road. Kingston will ultimately be larger, with more builder variety and a heavier commercial component. Other newer communities in Bonita Springs — including Vivid Shores, Solis Grande, and Bonita Del Sol — offer different product types and locations closer to the coast. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget, lifestyle priorities, and how much you value being in an established community now versus a newer master plan that will build out over time.

About Mark & Dawn Borg
Mark & Dawn Borg lead The Borg Group at Downing-Frye Realty, a luxury real estate team serving Southwest Florida's most sought-after communities — from Bonita Springs and Estero to Naples, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral. With deep roots in the local market and combined expertise spanning single-family homes, condos, new construction, waterfront properties, and investment real estate, they specialize in guiding buyers relocating from out of state, sellers ready to make their next move, and clients seeking their perfect piece of Southwest Florida. Whether you're moving here for the first time or making your next move within the market, Mark & Dawn bring the local knowledge and personal attention to make it seamless. Reach the team at theborggroup.com or by phone at 239-350-4474.