photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Naples Players shares inside access to $21M theater renovations

Naples Players shares inside access to $21M theater renovations

Dave Osborn and Jonah Hinebaugh | Naples Daily News

Downtown Naples continues to experience a theater renaissance.

As Gulfshore Playhouse plans to open its new $72 million, 400-seat theater later this year, The Naples Players in June will unveil its new Kizzie Theater in downtown Naples.

The $21 million renovation of The Naples Players’ Sugden Community Theatre caps a three-year project that will culminate June 26, when the theater company will offer “42nd Street,” to run through July 21.

The newly renovated Kizzie Theater features state-of-the-art technology, a balcony and additional accessibility accommodations, The Naples Players said in a recent news release.

The 44,500-square-foot facility also boasts a 450-seat Broadway-style theater, a 105-seat Black Box theater and a 105-seat Educational Theater. It will house new costume shops, rehearsal studios and more.

For those who can’t wait until late June to see the theater, a grand reopening is planned for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 2. It’s free but patrons are encouraged to call the Box Office to reserve their seats, at (239) 263-7990.

See the photos on naplesnews.com.

Do you want to find a home in the vibrant Naples area? Contact David at 239-285-1086 or David@DavidFlorida.com

Naples Airport move study identifies 4 potential sites. Here’s where they are.

Naples Airport move study identifies 4 potential sites. Here’s where they are.

J. Kyle Foster | Naples Daily News

The exploratory study looking at the feasibility of moving the Naples Airport got to one of the main points Thursday with the presentation of potential sites for an airport in east Collier County.

Consultant Environmental Science Associates – ESA – met with some of the landowners and came up with a list of four sites that could serve a general airport or possibly one with commercial flights. These landowners were open to the idea of selling land for an airport, ESA’s Doug DiCarlo told the board. They haven’t met with Collier County Commissioners as of yet.

A general aviation airport would require 1,800 to 2,000 acres; a commercial services airport would need 2,000 to 2,400 acres, ESA determined. ESA was hired in June 2023 to conduct the study. The company won’t compare the sites or make a recommendation on a site or on moving the airport at all.

Site A: Property East of County Landfill (±9 miles from existing airport)
Site B: Lipman Farms area (±11 miles)
Site C: Sunripe Land South of Oil Well Road (±23 miles)
Site D: Immokalee Regional Airport (±30 miles)

View the maps and more information on naplesnews.com.

Of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in America, Naples is home to two of them

Of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in America, Naples is home to two of them

Kendall Little | Naples Daily News

More and more people are flocking to Florida, but it’s not because of low cost of living.

In fact, the cost to live in Florida is 13% higher than the national average. When you zoom into Naples, the cost of living is 9.6% higher than the state average according to BestPlaces.

According to a recent study, Florida is home to seven of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the country ― and two of them are in Naples.

Here’s what you need to know about the most expensive neighborhoods locally, statewide, and nationwide.

Ranked at number two: Port Royal, Naples
Yes, you heard us right. Port Royal is the second-most expensive neighborhood in America, only falling behind Gables Estates in Coral Gables.

The average cost of a home in Port Royal is $16,233,953, according to Zillow data.

The luxury neighborhood offers its members multi-million dollar homes, pristine beach access, gourmet dining, and top-notch tennis facilities.

Aqualane Shores ranked at number seven
With an average home cost of $8,507,397, Aqualane Shores came in at number seven out of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the country.

Located between Port Royal and Old Naples, Aqualane Shores offers homeowners perfect access to the Gulf of Mexico along with proximity to Third Street and Fifth Avenue shopping districts.

The community is considered one of the most desirable waterfront locations in the city.

What other neighborhoods were ranked?
Of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the country, seven call Florida home. Read more on naplesnews.com for the full list.

To view luxury homes currently for sale in Port Royal, Aqualane Shores, and other Naples areas contact David at 239-285-1086 or David@DavidFlorida.com

A diverging diamond interchange is coming to Collier County. Reaction? Constructive, comical

A diverging diamond interchange is coming to Collier County. Reaction? Constructive, comical

Mark H. Bickel | Naples Daily News

In case you missed it, Naples Daily News business reporter Laura Layden had the news about the Florida Department of Transportation scheduled public workshops on the diverging diamond interchange project coming to Collier County. The workshops are to share information and get information for the project, which is scheduled to start in 2025.

The Interstate 75 interchange will be at Pine Ridge Road.

Needless to say, once the story was published and hit our multiple social media platforms, it touched a nerve with our audience. Comments range from constructive − what we are calling “Sounds Good!” − to comedic − “What the Heck!

Here are the highlights from Facebook and Instagram: Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

No talking? No texting? Naples’ new Alamo Drafthouse, a movie lover’s paradise

No talking? No texting? Naples’ new Alamo Drafthouse, a movie lover’s paradise

Charles Runnells | Naples Daily News

Alamo Drafthouse might be the coolest movie-theater chain in America. And they’ve just opened their first Florida spot ― right here in Naples.

So, of course, I had to drop everything and go.

Immediately.

I’m a huge fan of movies ― whether it’s arthouse cinema or the latest Marvel/Star Wars blockbuster. And film nuts like me know and revere the name Alamo Drafthouse.

Dinner at your theater seat? A beautiful picture and sound you feel in your bones? A zero-tolerance policy for people who talk or text during the movie?

That sounds like paradise to me.

Two tickets, please.

Silverspot left last summer, Alamo Drafthouse filled Mercato space

I’ve been wanting to go to an Alamo Drafthouse ever since seeing a CBS Sunday Morning segment on the theater chain in 2016. But I thought I’d never get the chance.

Then we got the news last year: Alamo was taking over the former Silverspot Cinema at North Naples’ shopping center Mercato.

Why Naples? General manager Brock Cowgill says they’d been wanting to expand into Florida, and it was easier to move into a preexisting theater than to build an all-new one.

“But it’s also a great market,” Cowgill says. “The southwest part of Florida is growing rapidly.”

Whatever their reasons, I’m glad they’re here. So just six days after the Alamo opened April 29, my girlfriend Silvia and I climbed into my car and made the 45-minute drive south from Cape Coral to North Naples.

And that long drive was totally worth it. Especially for Silvia, who stopped going to movie theaters years ago because of annoying people.

Read more of Charles and Sylvia’s experience at Alamo Drafthouse on naplesnews.com.

‘Community jewel’: Reimagining of exclusive club in affluent Naples neighborhood clears hurdle

‘Community jewel’: Reimagining of exclusive club in affluent Naples neighborhood clears hurdle

Laura Layden | Naples Daily News

A bigger and better Port Royal Club is one step closer to reality in Naples.

The city’s planning advisory board voted unanimously Wednesday in favor of the multimillion-dollar project, with a few added conditions.

Built in 1959, the one-story private club, steps from the Gulf of Mexico, served as a social hub for Port Royal residents for decades. The right to membership is one of the reasons the wealthy have flocked to the community, named for the famous Jamaican pirate haven.

Hurricane Ian wrought so much damage to the clubhouse that it could not be salvaged.

The planning advisory board has recommended approval of three petitions for the reconstruction.

City council will hear the petitions on June 19, making the ultimate decision on them.

For the project to move ahead as proposed, council must grant the conditional use for a new two-story clubhouse, and give a thumbs up to site-specific parking plans, including valet services. The roughly 5.5-acre site sits in a public service district, which allows for such a project, with a special exception.

With a West Indies look, fitting of its name, the reimagined clubhouse will meet the latest hurricane standards, while offering a larger footprint, with more dining options. The goal is to preserve the charm of it as much as possible, with a design that will stand the test of time, lasting another 70 years.

The building will be elevated, to meet the current guidelines, established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Dick Del Bello, president of the Port Royal Property Owners’ Association, urged the planning board to support the project, saying his board of directors is wholeheartedly behind it.

The loss of the club, he said, has left a “devastating hole” in the community.

Read the full story on naplesnews.com.

To view luxury homes currently for sale in Port Royal contact David at 239-285-1086 or David@DavidFlorida.com