photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Luxury market levels off: Southwest Florida’s top home sales in 2023

Luxury market levels off: Southwest Florida’s top home sales in 2023

Laura Layden | Naples Daily News

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Naples saw trophy mansions list at never-before-seen prices.

In March, a sprawling waterfront estate hit the market for more than $174 million in the posh neighborhood of Port Royal.

It’s still for sale.

So, too are other rare luxury properties that had the potential to break Collier County’s record home price of $62 million – set in 2022.

That record broke the previous one by $10 million.

“That’s a testament to the property, and to the market at the time,” said Paul Arpin, the listing agent, with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s still the top sale.”

With six bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, the resort-style, Gulf-front retreat, with a living area of more than 11,800 square feet under air, in Aqualane Shores, one of the most coveted neighborhoods in Naples, sold at its asking price.

Admittedly, the uber-luxury home market wasn’t as hot in 2023, Arpin said.

“It’s probably fair to say that the market has taken a break, and it has leveled off,” he remarked. However, 2023 still brought a few whopping sales. In fact, Arpin sold one of the two highest money-getters in Collier County last year, for $32.5 million, no chump change.

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

A top chef in Naples makes her Food Network debut on ‘Chopped’ Jan. 9

A top chef in Naples makes her Food Network debut on ‘Chopped’ Jan. 9

Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News

Alligator hearts and marshmallow?

Combining those two ingredients, plus crackers and snap peas, into a palatable appetizer might stress the most accomplished chefs.

But most aren’t Bicyclette Cookshop’s executive chef/partner Kayla Pfeiffer, who finds her greatest joy and confidence in the kitchen, even when it’s not her own.

Pfeiffer previously served as executive chef at several popular Naples restaurants executing concepts created by others at The French, Bar Tulia at Mercato, and a short stint at PJK Neighborhood Chinese.

The kitchen for this mashup?

Food Network’s set for “Chopped” in New York City. The show is hosted by Ted Allen.

Pfeiffer and her three chef competitors had 15 minutes to figure out what to do with these diverse ingredients and prepare them in a way that would appeal to the show’s three-member judging panel.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Find a home convenient to great restaurants in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Naples Pier: Local family foundation donates $1M toward reconstruction

Naples Pier: Local family foundation donates $1M toward reconstruction

Kendall Little | Naples Daily News

Since the historic Naples Pier was destroyed during Hurricane Ian in 2022, city leaders have been working toward redesigning and reconstructing it.

The project is costly, as city officials say the next version of the pier will cost $20 million to design and construct.

But today, the city is a million dollars closer to its goal.

A city spokesperson announced today that the Norris-Gaynor Foundation donated $1 million toward the pier’s reconstruction.

This isn’t the first time the Norris-Gaynor family has shown support for Naples.

Lester and Dellora Norris completely funded the reconstruction of Naples Pier when it was destroyed during Hurricane Donna in 1960. The couple introduced the Polynesian roof line that the pier has featured ever since. In the 1970s, the Norris family made sure the pier remained free to the public.

In 1995, Lester and Dellora’s daughter Lavern “Lal” Gaynor led a third campaign to preserve the pier’s Polynesian roof lines and keep the pier free. Gaynor also makes contributions to the city’s education system.

“The Norris-Gaynor Foundation’s generous contribution is a testament to Lal’s deep-rootedcommitment to the City of Naples,” Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann said in a Dec. 19 press release. “We are immensely grateful for their support, which will play a vital role in the reconstruction of the Pier. Lal’s legacy will live on with this donation going toward rebuilding our iconic Pier.”

The Collier Community Foundation has set up a fundraiser that’s accepting donations from the community to go toward the pier. You can find it by going to colliercf.org and clicking on “Make a donation,” at the top of the webpage. Scroll down until you see “Naples Pier Fund.”

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

Find a home in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Planning board votes to support new NCH heart and stroke center in downtown Naples

Planning board votes to support new NCH heart and stroke center in downtown Naples

Laura Layden | Naples Daily News

Through a series of votes, the Planning Advisory Board decided to recommend in favor of a new $200-million heart and stroke center adjacent to the NCH Baker Hospital in downtown Naples.

The support didn’t come easily – or unanimously.

The next stop is city council, which will make the final decision on whether the ambitious project gets built, with a first reading scheduled for January.

The advisory board’s decision on three related petitions came on Wednesday after a long day of additional presentations, discussions and public testimony, for and against the project.

The meeting ran for nearly 10 hours, with a few breaks.

NCH wants to build a five-story heart center where the Telford Education Center is located, immediately south of and attached to its hospital, off Seventh Street North.

Paul Hiltz, president and CEO of the NCH Healthcare System, described the project as the “logical next step” to providing great health care at the hospital.

Read the full article and view proposed plan and renderings on naplesnews.com

Do you want to find a home in healthy Naples, Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086

New on Fifth Avenue South in Naples: Tres chic, sultry and stunning Le Colonial opens Dec. 14

New on Fifth Avenue South in Naples: Tres chic, sultry and stunning Le Colonial opens Dec. 14

Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News

When one of the grand dames of shelter magazines anoints your restaurant among the world’s 20 most beautiful, how do you top that?

For Le Colonial’s partners Rick Wahlstadt and Joe King, you up the ante by opening a new locale on one of Naples’ most iconic streets.

Their newest spot debuts Dec. 14 on Fifth Avenue South. Wahlstadt believes the look of this location tops the one in Atlanta that made Veranda’s list. Both were designed by Knauer, the Chicago-based architecture, interior design and engineering firm who are no strangers to Naples, having created Del Mar across the street.

“Fifth Avenue is a pristine and beautiful culinary destination, and we designed the restaurant to reflect the sophistication of the Naples market,” said King.

And while hotel décor often influences home interiors, this might be the first Naples restaurant exuding exotic and luxe vacation vibes that guests want to emulate in their own abodes, especially the sexy lounge.

It’s that gorgeous.

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

Find a home convenient to great restaurants in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

What’s new, what’s back this week in SW Florida?

What’s new, what’s back this week in SW Florida?

Supercar dealer, Marriott, Margaritaville

Phil Fernandez | Naples Daily News

We may be nearing the end of the year, but it’s the start of something new this week for many in the Southwest Florida development and business game.

The mantra probably should be the late Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and yes, let’s dispense of the letter G please.

Because the timin’ couldn’t be better for endeavors to get their engines runnin’, with the economy roarin’ as Americans spent $18.86 trillion in October, the most ever for a month in the nation’s history, according to analytic company WalletHub’s new Consumer Spending Report last week.

I miss G already. Bringing it back.

The In the Know notebooks, in-boxes and voicemails are overflowing with all the activity for future columns so today’s just a sampling of December debuts. And don’t forget to take a moment to reflect later this week on Pearl Harbor Day that allows us and should continue to spur us to protect the freedoms we have.

Here’s what to know, my friends.

Vroommmm. Lamborghini Naples zips into Southwest Florida
Lamborghini Naples officially green flags its new Southwest Florida showroom on Tuesday, with the international honchos flying in to also check out our Paradise Coast.

The 5154 Tamiami Trail E. address can be found between the Thomasson Drive intersection and the Isles of Collier neighborhood.

What new is cooking in the Naples Design District?
The folks at The Collective told us last week their only eatery at 111 10th Street S. is cooking in time for the Naples Design District’s 7th annual Holiday Stroll on Wednesday.

Warren American Whiskey Kitchen plans to begin taking reservations Tuesday to dine during the Wednesday stroll that runs from 4 to 8 p.m.

The Collective is among the participants in the annual Naples Design District Holiday Stroll.

What are some restaurants making debuts in SW Florida?
When it comes to Warren, my colleague and dining superhero Diana Biederman tells us the restaurant features more than 1,000 bourbons to go along with fancy eats.

At least a couple of more coming in December to that general vicinity, give or take a few blocks: Le Colonial’s Asian entries at 445 Fifth Ave. S. and Unidos Latin fare at 1 Ninth St. S.

$35 million rebuilding continues at Sanibel Harbour Resort
Also trying to bounce back this month from the punishment dealt by Hurricane Ian is the 85-acre Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa ― especially the spa part this week.

Resort: Margaritaville FM Beach has soft opening, though rooms not available to everyone

Punta Rassa pickleball on Sanibel Causeway’s northeast end

Read the full article on naplesnews.com to find out what $713,000 will get you at a hot Lamborghini dealership, more restaurants, pickleball, and Margaritaville news.

Are you looking for a home in southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.