Naples Pier: Local family foundation donates $1M toward reconstruction

Naples Pier: Local family foundation donates $1M toward reconstruction

Kendall Little | Naples Daily News

Since the historic Naples Pier was destroyed during Hurricane Ian in 2022, city leaders have been working toward redesigning and reconstructing it.

The project is costly, as city officials say the next version of the pier will cost $20 million to design and construct.

But today, the city is a million dollars closer to its goal.

A city spokesperson announced today that the Norris-Gaynor Foundation donated $1 million toward the pier’s reconstruction.

This isn’t the first time the Norris-Gaynor family has shown support for Naples.

Lester and Dellora Norris completely funded the reconstruction of Naples Pier when it was destroyed during Hurricane Donna in 1960. The couple introduced the Polynesian roof line that the pier has featured ever since. In the 1970s, the Norris family made sure the pier remained free to the public.

In 1995, Lester and Dellora’s daughter Lavern “Lal” Gaynor led a third campaign to preserve the pier’s Polynesian roof lines and keep the pier free. Gaynor also makes contributions to the city’s education system.

“The Norris-Gaynor Foundation’s generous contribution is a testament to Lal’s deep-rootedcommitment to the City of Naples,” Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann said in a Dec. 19 press release. “We are immensely grateful for their support, which will play a vital role in the reconstruction of the Pier. Lal’s legacy will live on with this donation going toward rebuilding our iconic Pier.”

The Collier Community Foundation has set up a fundraiser that’s accepting donations from the community to go toward the pier. You can find it by going to colliercf.org and clicking on “Make a donation,” at the top of the webpage. Scroll down until you see “Naples Pier Fund.”

Read the full article and view photos on naplesnews.com.

Find a home in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Planning board votes to support new NCH heart and stroke center in downtown Naples

Planning board votes to support new NCH heart and stroke center in downtown Naples

Laura Layden | Naples Daily News

Through a series of votes, the Planning Advisory Board decided to recommend in favor of a new $200-million heart and stroke center adjacent to the NCH Baker Hospital in downtown Naples.

The support didn’t come easily – or unanimously.

The next stop is city council, which will make the final decision on whether the ambitious project gets built, with a first reading scheduled for January.

The advisory board’s decision on three related petitions came on Wednesday after a long day of additional presentations, discussions and public testimony, for and against the project.

The meeting ran for nearly 10 hours, with a few breaks.

NCH wants to build a five-story heart center where the Telford Education Center is located, immediately south of and attached to its hospital, off Seventh Street North.

Paul Hiltz, president and CEO of the NCH Healthcare System, described the project as the “logical next step” to providing great health care at the hospital.

Read the full article and view proposed plan and renderings on naplesnews.com

Do you want to find a home in healthy Naples, Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086

New on Fifth Avenue South in Naples: Tres chic, sultry and stunning Le Colonial opens Dec. 14

New on Fifth Avenue South in Naples: Tres chic, sultry and stunning Le Colonial opens Dec. 14

Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News

When one of the grand dames of shelter magazines anoints your restaurant among the world’s 20 most beautiful, how do you top that?

For Le Colonial’s partners Rick Wahlstadt and Joe King, you up the ante by opening a new locale on one of Naples’ most iconic streets.

Their newest spot debuts Dec. 14 on Fifth Avenue South. Wahlstadt believes the look of this location tops the one in Atlanta that made Veranda’s list. Both were designed by Knauer, the Chicago-based architecture, interior design and engineering firm who are no strangers to Naples, having created Del Mar across the street.

“Fifth Avenue is a pristine and beautiful culinary destination, and we designed the restaurant to reflect the sophistication of the Naples market,” said King.

And while hotel décor often influences home interiors, this might be the first Naples restaurant exuding exotic and luxe vacation vibes that guests want to emulate in their own abodes, especially the sexy lounge.

It’s that gorgeous.

Read the full article and view photos on naplesnews.com.

Find a home convenient to great restaurants in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

What’s new, what’s back this week in SW Florida?

What’s new, what’s back this week in SW Florida?

Supercar dealer, Marriott, Margaritaville

Phil Fernandez | Naples Daily News

We may be nearing the end of the year, but it’s the start of something new this week for many in the Southwest Florida development and business game.

The mantra probably should be the late Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and yes, let’s dispense of the letter G please.

Because the timin’ couldn’t be better for endeavors to get their engines runnin’, with the economy roarin’ as Americans spent $18.86 trillion in October, the most ever for a month in the nation’s history, according to analytic company WalletHub’s new Consumer Spending Report last week.

I miss G already. Bringing it back.

The In the Know notebooks, in-boxes and voicemails are overflowing with all the activity for future columns so today’s just a sampling of December debuts. And don’t forget to take a moment to reflect later this week on Pearl Harbor Day that allows us and should continue to spur us to protect the freedoms we have.

Here’s what to know, my friends.

Vroommmm. Lamborghini Naples zips into Southwest Florida
Lamborghini Naples officially green flags its new Southwest Florida showroom on Tuesday, with the international honchos flying in to also check out our Paradise Coast.

The 5154 Tamiami Trail E. address can be found between the Thomasson Drive intersection and the Isles of Collier neighborhood.

What new is cooking in the Naples Design District?
The folks at The Collective told us last week their only eatery at 111 10th Street S. is cooking in time for the Naples Design District’s 7th annual Holiday Stroll on Wednesday.

Warren American Whiskey Kitchen plans to begin taking reservations Tuesday to dine during the Wednesday stroll that runs from 4 to 8 p.m.

The Collective is among the participants in the annual Naples Design District Holiday Stroll.

What are some restaurants making debuts in SW Florida?
When it comes to Warren, my colleague and dining superhero Diana Biederman tells us the restaurant features more than 1,000 bourbons to go along with fancy eats.

At least a couple of more coming in December to that general vicinity, give or take a few blocks: Le Colonial’s Asian entries at 445 Fifth Ave. S. and Unidos Latin fare at 1 Ninth St. S.

$35 million rebuilding continues at Sanibel Harbour Resort
Also trying to bounce back this month from the punishment dealt by Hurricane Ian is the 85-acre Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa ― especially the spa part this week.

Resort: Margaritaville FM Beach has soft opening, though rooms not available to everyone

Punta Rassa pickleball on Sanibel Causeway’s northeast end

Read the full article on naplesnews.com to find out what $713,000 will get you at a hot Lamborghini dealership, more restaurants, pickleball, and Margaritaville news.

Are you looking for a home in southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

50% rise in mansions costing more than $5 million helping drive SW Florida housing market

50% rise in mansions costing more than $5 million helping drive SW Florida housing market

Phil Fernandez | Naples Daily News

Heading into snowbird season, the new arrivals are going to see even higher prices for the most part on Southwest Florida homes.

And the sales of luxury properties are one of the drivers, as evidenced by a record Bonita Beach sale in Lee County.

What’s most expensive Lee home sold? Could that be topped?
October’s most expensive single-family dwelling in Lee sold for $12.3 million at 27586 Hickory Blvd. The 5,771-square-foot beachfront house built in 2016 that has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms had belonged to evangelist David Turner, who acquired it in 2021 for $7.5 million.

“We were thrilled to have the highest priced sale on the beach,” said Realtor Denise Quinn, who listed it as part of John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate’s The Grant Group. “As a personal accomplishment, it is my highest sale. I have been visiting Naples since 1996, homeowner in 2004 and full-time in 2018. I love the area and the small town feel that comes from the community.”

Read about the buyer and view the photos on naplesnews.com.