The final design for the rebuilt Naples Pier has officially received full approval, marking a major milestone in the effort to restore one of Southwest Florida’s most iconic landmarks after it was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

Naples City Council recently approved the final design plans for the pier’s land-side entrance, clearing one of the final hurdles before full construction continues on the project. The rebuilt pier will maintain the historic character that residents and visitors recognize while incorporating structural improvements designed to better withstand future storms.

For more than a century, the Naples Pier has served as a gathering place for fishing, sunset viewing, and wildlife watching along the Gulf of Mexico. Originally built in 1888, the structure has been rebuilt multiple times after major storms, with Hurricane Ian prompting its most recent reconstruction effort.

Hurricane Ian Damage

When Hurricane Ian struck Southwest Florida in September 2022, the Naples Pier was battered by powerful storm surge, waves estimated at more than 20 feet, and winds nearing 150 mph.

The storm caused widespread structural failure along the pier. Many of the pilings collapsed, large portions of the deck were destroyed, and the westernmost end of the pier was completely washed away.

Following the storm, the City of Naples reopened a limited portion of the structure while engineers evaluated the damage and began planning for a full rebuild.

Designing the New Naples Pier

Rather than simply repairing the structure, city leaders chose to rebuild the pier with improvements that would help it better withstand severe weather in the future.

Engineering firm Turrell, Hall & Associates and architecture firm MHK Architecture were hired to design the new pier. Their assessments found that raising the overall height of the structure several feet could significantly reduce the likelihood of storm damage.

The new design will maintain the traditional appearance of the Naples Pier while improving visitor flow and structural resilience. Plans include expanded fishing areas, bench bump-outs along the walkway to reduce congestion, and a raised gazebo feature near the end of the pier.

Changes to the Entrance Design

The recently approved final design focuses on the land-side entrance to the pier.

Earlier proposals included a concession stand and expanded shaded seating areas. However, those features were ultimately removed after discussions with federal permitting agencies and community members.

Instead, the entrance area will include a Naples Police Department substation and ADA-accessible restroom facility, allowing officers to monitor the pier and nearby beach areas while also providing needed public amenities. Plans include an underwater wildlife-viewing camera as well.

Construction Moving Forward

In 2024, Naples City Council approved a $23.46 million contract with Shoreline Foundation Inc. to rebuild the pier.

The project required permits from several agencies, including FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Once those approvals were secured, the city held a groundbreaking ceremony in January 2026 to mark the official start of construction.

The rebuild is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete once construction is fully underway.

When finished, the new Naples Pier will once again serve as a centerpiece of the Naples waterfront, continuing a tradition that has brought residents and visitors together for generations.

 

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