photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
RSW’s new Concourse E taking shape. What about the inside?

RSW’s new Concourse E taking shape. What about the inside?

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

When it comes to the outside of Southwest Florida International’s new Concourse E, it’s obvious to a passerby now how it is significantly changing the look of the growing Fort Myers airport.

A summer’s worth of construction has altered the exterior at RSW and for returning snowbirds and vacationers, it will be something to behold as their planes taxi to the existing gates at concourses B, C and D.

When Concourse E eventually opens, most likely late next year, it will add 14 more gates at RSW with room to expand at some point, meeting the anticipated increase in passengers at RSW.

But what about the inside of Concourse E? What is that going to look like? The airport is promising a media tour sometime in October for an update on all of the upgrades being made. In the meantime, RSW has architectural renderings of Concourse E for those who can’t wait until its serving passengers.

Read more and view renderings on naplesnews.com.

‘Coconut Coast Corridor’ emerges in SW Florida. What’s new and coming?

‘Coconut Coast Corridor’ emerges in SW Florida. What’s new and coming?

Phil Fernandez | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

  • The Estero-Bonita Springs region, now dubbed the Coconut Coast Corridor, has grown to 100,000 residents.
  • A local realtors’ group has rebranded to the Coconut Coast Organization of Realtors to reflect the area’s distinct market identity
  • Major new construction includes a mixed-use development in Estero and the second luxury tower of The Ritz-Carlton Residences.

Time to say hello to Southwest Florida’s new Coconut Coast Corridor, suddenly home to 100,000 residents.

From luxury high-rises along Estero Bay to mixed-use developments, national retailers and family-focused businesses, the Estero-Bonita Springs region continues to emerge as one of Southwest Florida’s most active development fronts.

And the Coconut Coast Corridor kept bubbling through the record heat of summer as we enter September, which is slated to bring milestones of its own and the start of yet more new construction.

The stretch surrounding Bonita Beach Road and north into Estero toward Coconut Point and Florida Gulf Coast University continues to attract new investment, new businesses and major development activity reshaping the landscape: From a former Fortune 500 executive’s latest venture to the August unveilings of new enterprises and a luxury tower milestone this month.

To think that last century it largely served as a pass-through between Naples and Fort Myers, and now has increasingly become a destination in its own right as the years pile on and the growth story unfolds with new chapters. Here’s what to know. Read more on naplesnews.com.

There’s so much to do here, are you looking for a home in beautiful Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Opera Naples announces new season filled with concerts, beloved operas

Opera Naples announces new season filled with concerts, beloved operas

Charles Runnells | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Opera Naples has lined up some certified crowd-pleasers for its 2026-27 season, including two of the world’s most popular operas.

The opera company announced its expanded, upcoming season Sept. 4 with several concerts and its seventh-annual Festival Under The Stars in Baker Park. Highlights include Handel’s beloved “The Messiah,” the iconic “I Pagliacci” and the comedy masterpiece “The Barber of Seville.”

“I am incredibly excited for the upcoming season, which represents our biggest artistic scope in terms of variety and diversity of genres to date…” Artistic and Music Director Ramón Tebar said in a news release announcing Opera Naples’ 21st season. “From opera to concerts, from oratorio to operetta and contemporary works, from comic opera to serious opera and from recitals to sacred music, this season has it all!”

Performances and events are scheduled at Opera Naples’ Wang Opera Center, Baker Park, First Presbyterian Church of Naples and Moorings Presbyterian Church. Tickets are on sale now.

Opera Naples Executive Director Melanie Kalnins said the new season “reflects everything that makes Opera Naples unique — world-class artistry, meaningful community engagement and a commitment to developing the next generation of opera talent.”

Pavarotti competition winners featured in Opera Naples festival
The announcement follows a busy previous season for Opera Naples, including six sold-out performances at the annual Festival Under the Stars and a $1 million donation from an anonymous supporter at the opera company’s December 2025 gala.

The annual Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition won’t return until fall 2027 (date to be announced), Kalnins says. But winners from the 2025 and 2026 competitions will perform this coming March at the Festival Under the Stars.

Read more on naplesnews.com.

What new Florida data says about Naples ritzy luxury boating lifestyle

What new Florida data says about Naples ritzy luxury boating lifestyle

Phil Fernandez | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

New 2026 data uncovered from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission documents offers a revealing look at how boating infrastructure is distributed across the state — and how Southwest Florida’s Collier County stacks up.

Public records research by the Naples Daily News found an inventory of more than 10,000 marine facilities statewide, capturing aspects such as full-service marinas, small docks, boat yards and waterfront restaurants with slips.

In Southwest Florida, the numbers highlight Collier’s concentration.

Here’s what to know.

Collier County. Smaller boating footprint in Florida, higher concentration
Collier has an estimated 180 to 220 facilities, roughly a third the total seen in Lee County. That places it solidly in the middle tier statewide.

Yet despite the smaller footprint, the Naples area still maintains significant capacity, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,500 wet slips and 7,000 to 9,000 dry storage spaces.

What stands out is how that capacity is structured.

Unlike Lee’s dispersed network, Collier’s boating infrastructure is concentrated in defined hubs such as Naples Bay, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands region.

Facilities in these areas tend to be larger and more amenity-driven. Marinas commonly range from 80 to more than 120 slips, often paired with structured dry storage and resort-level services.

In other words, fewer locations — but more capacity per site.

Read more on naplesnews.com.

NCH planning heart transplant program to keep patients near home

NCH planning heart transplant program to keep patients near home

Liz Freeman | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

A team of cardiac specialists at Naples Comprehensive Health are deep in planning and policy reviews for pursuing approvals to perform heart transplants.

Offering services for advanced heart failure patients would improve access and relieve patients and their families of challenging travel to existing transplant centers in Tampa, Miami or elsewhere, hospital officials say.

No timeline has been shared publicly for when NCH hopes to begin heart transplants once the $295 million R.M. Schulze Family Heart and Stroke Critical Care Center is completed in the latter part of 2027.

Construction of the 180,000-square-foot complex is ongoing on the campus of the NCH Baker Hospital, which is transforming the oldest hospital campus in Collier County near downtown Naples.

NCH leaders intend for its current Rooney Heart Institute, which will move into the Schulze complex once completed, to continue building its national reputation for high quality care.

In February NCH ranked among the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare, among other accolades from rating organizations.

“We believe it will be one of the premier heart programs in America,” Paul Hiltz, president and chief executive officer of NCH, told Naples City Council recently in an update on the Schulze complex construction.

Read more on naplesnews.com.

Florida’s new Coconut Coast Corridor. Shops, homes explosion underway

Florida’s new Coconut Coast Corridor. Shops, homes explosion underway

Phil Fernandez | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

  • The Estero-Bonita Springs region in Southwest Florida is experiencing a major development boom as the “Coconut Coast Corridor.”
  • A local Realtors’ group has rebranded to the Coconut Coast Organization of Realtors to reflect the area’s distinct and growing market identity.
  • Major mixed-use developments, including luxury high-rises and retail spaces, are under construction or planned for the area.
  • New national and local businesses, such as J.Crew Factory, Yonutz and USA Ninja Challenge, are opening or expanding in the corridor.

Time to say hello to Southwest Florida’s new Coconut Coast Corridor, suddenly home to 100,000 residents.

From luxury high-rises along Estero Bay to mixed-use developments, national retailers and family-focused businesses, the Estero-Bonita Springs region continues to emerge as one of Southwest Florida’s most active development fronts.

And the Coconut Coast Corridor kept bubbling through the record heat of summer as we enter September, which is slated to bring milestones of its own and the start of yet more new construction.

The stretch surrounding Bonita Beach Road and north into Estero toward Coconut Point and Florida Gulf Coast University continues to attract new investment, new businesses and major development activity reshaping the landscape: From a former Fortune 500 executive’s latest venture to the August unveilings of new enterprises and a luxury tower milestone this month.

To think that last century it largely served as a pass-through between Naples and Fort Myers, and now has increasingly become a destination in its own right as the years pile on and the growth story unfolds with new chapters. Here’s what to know. Read more on naplesnews.com.

Explore the most exceptional properties of Southwest Florida with David. Contact me at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.