photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
New waterfront development gets green light in Naples

New waterfront development gets green light in Naples

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

City council approved a long-planned, mixed-use waterfront development in Naples.

On June 17, council voted 4-1 in favor of the development, with one council member abstaining, due to a potential conflict of interest.

Years in the making, the project, overlooking Naples Bay, has faced challenges as it has evolved.

Formerly known as The Prom and now as The Viceroy, the development is planned on 1.81 acres of long vacant land, near the intersection of River Point Drive and the Fifth Avenue South bridge downtown.

Plans for the three-story development include short-term lodging, along with other retail and commercial uses, supported by surface and underground parking, as well as street parking.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

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

Florida plan could cut property tax bills — but not to $0

Florida plan could cut property tax bills — but not to $0

Curt Anderson | USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida

(Correction: This story has been updated to report that the only local tax that will remain untouched is for schools. Public safety and other main services will be affected by the property tax cuts.)

The proposed property tax constitutional amendment Florida voters will consider this fall would reduce or eliminate some taxes, but not all of them. There will still be some property taxes to fund schools and other services such as public safety and infrastructure. That amount varies by location.

If 60% of voters approve the amendment on Nov. 3, beginning in 2027 the first $150,000 of a primary home, or homestead, will be exempt from non-school local taxes, and that exemption rises to $250,000 in 2028 and then will track for inflation.

Under current law, Florida residents can exempt $50,000 in taxable value for their homesteaded property. The proposed amendment applies only to non-school taxes, so that means there will still be a bill in most cases. But less than before.

Confused? Many Florida residents are by the numbers and the calculations.

For details read the full article on tallahassee.com.

Naples house goes for $15.9M, most expensive transaction for May 2026

Naples house goes for $15.9M, most expensive transaction for May 2026

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

These are the Top-10 most expensive houses sold in Collier County for May 2026.

Data and content provided by Royal Shell Real Estate.

1. 3580 Gin Lane, Naples

List price: $15,900,000

Sold price: $15,900,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 6,816 square feet

Year built: 2003

Days on market: 4

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock/Lift, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill

View: Bay

Read the full Top-10 list 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.

Mile of momentum. Old 41 rapid transformation reshapes downtown Bonita

Mile of momentum. Old 41 rapid transformation reshapes downtown Bonita

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

The In the Know questions from you about what’s become a one-mile expanse of monster construction along what at one time had been a lonely stretch of Southwest Florida highway are many, such as these.

“Hi Phil. I enjoy reading your column, and now I find myself writing to you about the developments going on in my backyard: Old 41 in downtown Bonita Springs. So much has been done over the years to restore and maintain the ‘downtown’ nature of the village,” said reader Barbara McMahon. “Can you tell us what the plan is for the area from Terry to Bonita Beach Road?

“Right now there is major construction of a luxury apartment complex − Imperial 41 − that spans both sides of the river. And just a block south, the area where the Lee Sheriff had a satellite station is fenced off for construction, and the park across the street is also fenced off. (The) city has developed Old 41 into a lovely walkable road with islands and great landscaping. Will it be overwhelmed?”

Read the full article on naplesnews.com to get answers to questions like “What’s behind Imperial 41 housing in Bonita Springs, Florida?, How did Lee County’s Imperial 41 come together in Bonita?,” and more.

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

Rare $11.5 million Marco Island estate hits market

Rare $11.5 million Marco Island estate hits market

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

For the first time in more than four years, a waterfront estate has hit the market in Marco Island’s exclusive Hideaway Beach community.

The price tag: $11.5 million.

The estate, built in 2022, spans more than 5,500 square feet. It has four bedrooms (all of them suites), with five bathrooms in total, including a powder room.

The property has nearly 100 feet of water frontage, with direct beach access, in a private gated community.

The affluent community includes a private nine-hole executive golf course and clubhouse, with two miles of beach sitting directly on the Gulf, and a recently added sports center.

On Marco, Hideaway Beach is the only place where you can have a home directly on the beach.

Cathy Rogers, a global real estate advisor with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty on Marco, is the agent for the rare listing. She also sold the last beachfront single-family home listing in Hideaway Beach, a deal that closed in March 2022.

“This property is located at a more private end of the beach, the other one was right next to the clubhouse,” Rogers said.

Read the full article with 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.