Robyn George | Naples Daily News
For decades, it sat quietly, shrouded in mystery and virtually invisible to passersby.
Just steps off Old 41 Road in the heart of Bonita Springs, Shangri-La Springs might as well have been miles away, secluded behind its growing wall of green.
“I’ve been here most of my entire life and always knew it was there,” said Maikol Henriquez, executive director of Bonita Springs Historical Society. “It had gates up and I’d look over and wonder what it was. There was a certain aura around it. It was very mysterious, but not in a negative way.”
But slowly, things began to change. After being closed for two decades, the property was opened to the public in 2015, grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting included.
Then, last October, the wall separating the property from the eyes of the world was removed.
“When I gave the OK to take it down, it was a much bigger deal than I thought,” general manager Lee Bellamy said laughing. “It wasn’t even a wall really. There was a chain link fence and a humongous hedge row had grown unattended for 25 to 30 years.”
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Mark H. Bickel | Naples Daily News
Congratulations, Naples. When it comes to the best places to retire in the U.S., you are simply the best, the cream of the crop and second to none.
U.S. News and World Report, considered a global authority in rankings and consumer advice, announced today Naples tops the 2024-25 list for Best Places to Retire. It’s impressive recognition when you consider 150 cites were evaluated.
And just as impressive is Naples climbing all of the way to the top of the rankings after being No. 28 in in 2023-2024.
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
For more information about buying a home in the Naples, Florida area contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
A second luxury mixed-use tower will soon rise at Metropolitan Naples.
Construction will start on the tower, known as Aura, next week.
It will be built at the corner of Davis Boulevard and U.S. 41, next to Ascent, in East Naples.
While Ascent is a luxury apartment community, with studios to penthouses, Aura is offering high-end condos for purchase, from $2 million to more than $7 million, in various sizes.
With Suffolk as the general contractor, the second tower is anticipated to be completed in 22 months, or a little less than two years.
Metropolitan Naples has been years in the making. At completion, it will have three 15-story buildings on a roughly five-acre site, transforming a high-profile corner, on the doorstep of downtown Naples.
Read more about the Aura tower at Metropolitan Naples on naplesnews.com.
For more information about buying a luxury home at Metropolitan Naples contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Phil Fernandez | Naples Daily News
Catching up on my accumulating Village of Estero correspondence: Estero is exploding with endeavors so today let’s hit a sampling of what you’re asking about. Roll out Numero Uno please:
“Thank you for your insightful and helpful articles,” said reader Brenan Riehl. “Do you know what the development timing is for the planned Woodfield Development commercial and residential project on Coconut Road across 41 from Coconut Point in Estero? When will construction commence?”
What’s the first phase of the massive project across from Coconut Point?
When we first broke the details of this U.S. 41 massive undertaking a couple of years ago, the goal had been for about now, and it appears to be pretty close to target, depending on the necessary red tape to protect the interests of all involved: The Village. The Village people. And the Village developer.
Read more about Woodfield Development and other Estero endeavors on naplesnews.com.
For more information about buying a home in the Estero, Florida area contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Phil Fernandez | Naples Daily News
Ace is the place for The Marketplace at Pelican Bay in Naples, Florida
A 20,000-square foot Sunshine Ace Hardware is hammering its way into that vacancy, which my colleague Laura Layden recently nailed down in her extensive shopping center coverage.
Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace. said he has been eyeing that ever mushrooming North Naples area. The goal is for a spring debut.
Where else in that region of Collier County is Ace going to fill some space?
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Phil Fernandez | Naples Daily News
Restoration Hardware CEO and Chairman Gary G. Friedman has revealed what he has in mind for his berth in the Waterside Shops in Naples in the global chain’s Southwest Florida debut.
“We got the former Nordstrom’s pad that sits overlooking this beautiful pond and it (is) incredible,” said Friedman, talking about it for the first time during an earnings meeting about his RH brand. “What we’re going to do in Naples is unbelievable. (It) is a whole new, three-dimensional RH experience called the compound, the RH compound. And it’s a multi-building, kind of integrated experience with gardens and courtyards and connecting buildings, and it’s like nothing anybody’s ever seen.”
Here’s what to know.
What will Restoration Hardware’s Naples plans mean for the company?
The first of its kind, he said the 1.3 acres where the 40,000-square-foot Nordstrom had been until 2020 are going to set the tone for his worldwide luxury furniture and dining powerhouse…
What’s another major change in the works for Waterside Shops in Naples?
Friedman, who said more information will be released at a future announcement, hasn’t set a date, but its arrival would be part of major changes happening at the upscale plaza where U.S. 41 and Pine Ridge Road meet.
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
