photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Waterfront land once tied to L.L. Bean family sells for $37M in Naples

Waterfront land once tied to L.L. Bean family sells for $37M in Naples

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Waterfront land once owned and roamed by the L.L. Bean family in Naples has sold for $37 million.

The sale, involving multiple parcels, was announced on May 11, marking one the highest residential land sales made through the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast multiple listing service over the past year.

The 1.32-acre property spans from the beach to Gulf Shore Boulevard, sitting at the end of the infamous Fifth Avenue South, renowned for its upscale shopping, fine dining, eclectic art galleries – and interesting architecture and people watching.

The offering consisted of three parcels: 25 Fifth Avenue S., 45 Fifth Avenue S. and 470 Gulf Shore Boulevard S., with the flexibility to build a trio of residences, rather than one sprawling estate on a single lot.

The land includes 130 feet of beach frontage, overlooking the Gulf.

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

Are you looking for and exceptional property in Southwest Florida? Contact me today to begin your journey. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

$40M gem tops for Collier County’s most expensive homes sold in April

$40M gem tops for Collier County’s most expensive homes sold in April

Mark H. Bickel | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

These are the Top-10 most expensive homes sold in Collier County for April 2026.

Data provided by Royal Shell Real Estate.

1. 860 Admiralty Parade E., Naples

List price: $42,995,000

Sold price: $40,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 11,559 square feet

Year built: 2024

Days on market: 134

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock/Lift, Beach Access, Community Pool, Private Membership, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Bay, Mangroves, Preserve

Read the full Top-10 list on naplesnews.com.

Ready to explore the most exceptional properties of Southwest Florida? Contact me today to begin your journey. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Ave Maria could add thousands of homes, sparking resident concerns

Ave Maria could add thousands of homes, sparking resident concerns

 Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

The town of Ave Maria could grow by more than 2,000 acres.

On May 7, the Collier County Planning Commission voted nearly unanimously to recommend in favor of the expansion.

A final decision will be made by county commissioners. A hearing is scheduled for June 9.

Ave Maria Development LLLP (Limited Liability Limited Partnership) has applied to add 2,042 acres to the town. To do so, it needs approval to expand the boundaries of the already designated stewardship receiving area (SRA) for development from 5,928 acres to 7,970 acres.

The expansion would allow for more residential and commercial development.

Barron Collier Cos. is the force behind the town, in partnership with Tom Monaghan, the creator of Domino’s Pizza and founder of Ave Maria University.

Ave Maria: A first for Collier County development
Ave Maria was the first SRA and town to develop under the county’s Rural Lands Stewardship Area, or RLSA, program.

The voluntary program allows developers to build more intense towns and villages on property with lower conservation value, in exchange for preserving more environmentally sensitive land, through a credit system. The program is designed to prevent urban sprawl, addressing state concerns about the protection of wildlife and wetlands out east, dating back to the 1990s.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Are you seeking a home in the Bonita Springs – Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Collier County development approved decades ago moves forward in North Naples

Collier County development approved decades ago moves forward in North Naples

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

A planned housing development first approved more than 40 years ago in Collier County could soon take shape, but it could look different.

On April 28, Collier commissioners greenlighted amendments to the Imperial Lakes Planned Unit Development (PUD) in North Naples.

Originally approved in 1982, the PUD has been in waiting for the expansion of Veterans Memorial Boulevard, west of Livingston Road.

With the expansion still not completed, the developer has agreed to design, permit and build the western extension of the boulevard to the Seminole Gulf Railway to provide access to the new community.

New community could include a mix of housing options
The approved amendments to the PUD will give the landowner and developer, going under the name N.A. Realty Trust Inc., the option to build a mix of housing, including single-family and two-family homes, as well as other multifamily homes.

The developer could still build the original plan, which allowed for up to 430 multifamily homes in five-story buildings.

The long vacant site spans nearly 80 acres. It sits north of the private Imperial Golf Club and to the west of the Castlewood at Imperial community, near Aubrey Rogers High School.

Naples land use attorney Rich Yovanovich, who represented N.A. Realty Trust at the public hearing, said the developer had worked to limit the height and types of homes built in the corner closest to Castlewood to address residents’ concerns about the visual impact.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Naples ‘house on the beach’ condo lists for $13.9 million

Naples ‘house on the beach’ condo lists for $13.9 million

Andrea Stetson | Special to The News-Press & Naples Daily News

Jeanna Wolfe’s spacious home has sliding glass doors that lead to a humongous lanai with a pool and spa overlooking the Gulf. That might not seem unusual unless you know that Wolfe lives in a condo.

“We didn’t want to be in a condo building, but this is like a house on the beach,” Wolfe stressed. “The terrace has stairs right to the beach. It really feels perfect for the person that wants a house on the beach, but the ease of a condo.”

It is the only one of the 19 condos in The Vanderbilt with its own terrace and pool and that terrace spans 5,793 square feet and includes the large deck with its pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, sitting and dining areas and garden. That is almost as much as the interior which is 6,141 square feet under air. The entire property is 12,640 square feet.

“It was lived in by the developer of this building, and we met them and became friends, and we told them if you are ever going to sell let us know and that was 2012 and we have been here ever since,” Wolfe explained. “It is just our unique place. Nobody knows it exists. We have spent many years here and have loved it here.”

Wolfe’s beloved husband, Jeff, recently passed away and Wolfe now wants a change and is selling her dream home for $13,995,000.

Read more about how Jeanna and her husband enjoyed living in this lovely home, on naplesnews.com.

Ready to explore the most exceptional properties of Southwest Florida? Contact me today to begin your journey. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Collier commissioners unanimously approve new village in rural area

Collier commissioners unanimously approve new village in rural area

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Collier commissioners approved a longtime citrus grower’s plans to build a new village in rural Collier County.

On April 28, commissioners voted unanimously in favor of allowing Fort Myers-based Alico Inc. to create a stewardship receiving area on land where the company has grown and harvested oranges for decades.

The designation as a receiving area will allow Alico to develop a more than 1,400-acre village, known as Corkscrew Grove East, off Corkscrew Road, near State Road 82.

The planning commission recommended approval to county commissioners.

The village could have up to 4,502 residences and nearly 240,000 square feet of commercial uses, including retail shops, restaurants and medical offices, along with at least 45,020 square feet of civic spaces, which could be used for schools, churches and emergency services.

The village will include affordable housing.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.