Redevelopment
The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club has some huge changes in store.
The Watkins family, who has owned the 125-acre property for over 70 years, recently partnered with the Athens Group– a real estate development firm out of Arizona.
The Athens Group will plan the entire redevelopment, and obtain the required city, state and federal approvals. During this time, the Watkins family will retain ownership the Naples Beach Resort and Golf Club. After full approval (expected during the 2020-2021 season) ownership of the beach resort will transfer to The Athens Group. Construction will then begin in phases.
The first phase will consist of demolishing the current hotel and rebuilding a slightly smaller, but more upscale version. The current hotel contains 319 rooms– the new hotel, just 220.
New Condos
Here’s where it gets interesting: The Athens Group’s plans for the property also consist of eight residential condominium buildings, containing up to 195 units total. Three of these towers will be on the beach-side of the street, near the hotel. The other five towers would be on the East Side of the property, near the golf course. Each building will be four to seven stories with parking underneath. These condos will come complete with hotel amenities, like room service and ironing.
Additional Plans
On top of the re-imagined resort and amenity-rich condo towers, the new plans for the property also consist of:
- A “Market Square” with activities for residents and visitors.
- Upgrading the golf course, fitness center, tennis courts and spa.
- Installing a lush, “Gulf Shore Garden” with bike paths.
- Building a small bowling alley.
- Adding a playground and tree house for children.
So far, public feedback towards the proposed hotel and condo towers has been mostly positive.
