See all the great photos 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.
Phil Fernandez | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Key Points
- New housing communities are emerging across Southwest Florida, including in Naples, Estero, Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
- Rivergrass development in Collier County has begun construction on more than 1,000 homes.
- In Cape Coral, the $100 million Bimini Square project is debuting apartments, dining and healthcare services.
- Estero’s Coconut Point is adding new businesses, including proposed apartments, restaurants and retail stores.
As Southwest Florida’s frosty February chill prevailed, new and proposed housing communities continued to emerge in Naples, Estero, Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
A landmark Collier County endeavor was among them.
Here’s what to know.
There’s Collier County’s Rivergrass, and then there’s River of Grass
Impact on the economy and perhaps traffic will come in the form of Rivergrass, different in shape but similar in name to the somewhat adjacent River of Grass, as author Marjory Stone Douglas dubbed the Everglades eight decades ago.With Lennar leading the way, construction just kicked into high gear on more than 1,000 homes, where the address is 5063 Oil Well Road, Immokalee. The target is to have the first of the housing as early as autumn, according to Lennar.
What’s maximum number of homes allowed in Big Cypress area?
The path was paved by Collier Enterprises, which has been finalizing federal, state and local permits for three villages including Rivergrass and a town known as Big Cypress in eastern Collier that have been years in the making with opposition from environmentalists and other folks against urban sprawl.The maximum number of homes permitted for all of it at this point is nearly 9,700. The combined commercial is slated to reach close to 1.6 million square feet.
Read the full article and get the scoop on Bimini Square in Cape Coral and Estero’s Coconut Point.
Are you looking for a home in the thriving Southwest Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Kendall Little | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Money can’t buy sunny skies in Naples, but it can buy an all-inclusive luxury wine trip to Italy during the Naples Winter Wine Festival live auction.
Though skies were gloomy and rainy, hundreds gathered at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon on Saturday, Jan. 31, to place competitive bids on luxury experiences during the annual live charity auction.
After an overnight call to move the Festival indoors due to weather, attendees used the cold conditions as an excuse to break out designer coats and scarves. Inside the Ritz-Carlton were dozens of tables full of both savory and sweet options for attendees to sample. Desserts were the most eye-catching items, with macarons that looked like burgers, smoked candied bacon-wrapped Oreos, and hibiscus cola creations.
The Grand Tasting room featured not only savory bites, but also tables lined with rare and vintage wines, many that aren’t otherwise accessible to the general public. Guests mingled and sipped wine throughout the afternoon leading up to the live auction.
Festival goers dressed to impress with sparkling designer tops, skirts, bags, jackets and of course, shoes. I mean, what else would you wear to bid hundreds of thousands of dollars on once-in-a-lifetime experiences?
This year’s auction lots were impressive to say the least. From wine excursions in Napa Valley to VIP experiences in France and Italy, there were over 50 luxury lots to bid on. The auction took place under an iconic white tent decorated with sparkly chandeliers and multi-colored lights.
“Every dollar on this day under that tent stays in Collier County,” NWWF public relations consultant Clay Cone said.
More about this year’s Naples Winter Wine Festival with photos on naplesnews.com.
For decades, Palm Beach held the crown as Florida’s ultimate destination for ultra-wealthy residents — a playground for hedge fund managers, financiers, and old-money estates. But lately, a new name keeps popping up in the same conversations: Naples. Naples real estate
And it’s not just anecdotal.
Behind the scenes, a quiet but massive migration of wealth is underway, and Naples is emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries. Real estate agents, developers, private bankers, and business owners across Southwest Florida are all seeing the same trend: high-net-worth individuals are choosing Naples over traditional luxury hubs like Palm Beach, Miami, and even parts of New York.
The big question is why — and what it means for everyone already here.
Read the full article on naplesnewsnow.com.
Kendall Little | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
We’re nearly a month into the new year, but I’m here to reflect on the old.
The Naples restaurant scene is constantly evolving and growing, bringing new and unique spots to the area every season. But for every new restaurant that opens in Collier, two close. The restaurants that continue to endure deserve their flowers, and these nine spots have endured quite deliciously for decades.
So, what’s the recipe for success when it comes to maintaining a popular restaurant in Naples? These nine restaurants all have different owners, menus, and environments, but have a few things in common: great service, fresh local ingredients, and an authenticity you can’t buy.
While lots of new restaurants have chic modern interiors and flashy unique dishes, these Collier gems find the simplicity in good ingredients, classic dishes, and friendly service to be the pillars that keep them in business for decades.
Key points:
- Several Naples-area restaurants have remained popular for decades by focusing on fresh local ingredients and friendly service.
- Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room, founded in 1953, is the oldest restaurant highlighted and is known for its “Old Florida” feel.
- Many of the enduring establishments, such as The Dock at Crayton Cove and Riverwalk at Tin City, specialize in fresh seafood.
- Other long-standing favorites include The Pewter Mug steakhouse, Pastrami Dan’s sandwich shop, and the uniquely themed Spanky’s Speakeasy.
Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.
Be close to good food with a home in the area. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Kendall Little, Robyn George | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
It’s not every day that a new waterfront restaurant opens in Southwest Florida.
And it’s even more rare when it’s helmed by a globally renowned chef.
You’ll get both with Acqua Bistecca, which opened Wednesday, Jan. 21, overlooking Estero Bay at Saltleaf Marina in Bonita Springs.
The chic waterfront restaurant is powered by James Beard Award-winning and Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina.
Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.
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