Setting the environmental standards by which other master-planned communities are measured, Bonita Bay Properties has delivered what it had promised nearly 20 years ago: a community where humans, animals and plants live together in protected harmony.

When founder David Shakarian of Pittsburgh assembled and purchased 25 parcels of pristine acreage in Bonita Springs, his vision of preserving and enhancing that land is carried out today by those who share his vision. This privately funded venture, financed by a fortune amassed from the General Nutrition Center health food stores owned by Shakarian, has been nationally recognized; its links (a golfer's paradise) repeatedly cited; its architectural designs and lush landscaping lauded--time and time again.

Located midway between Naples and Fort Myers, Bonita Bay was developed long before the current retail fever that has taken over this once-sleepy community and was the first master-planned community in that area. Other planned developments that strive to emulate can only hope to share in the success of Bonita Bay Properties and borrow from its innovative conservation style.

Today, Shakarian's concept continues through the leadership of David Lucas, chairman, and Dennis Gilkey, presidnet/chief executive officer who, along with 500 employees, tend to the business of maintaining--and expanding--the neighborhoods so coveted by the residents who live there.

Under construction a few miles north of Bonita Bay is The Brooks, a new 2,492-acre community that will eventually have 5,200 residences in 10 to 12 years. The Brooks is being developed with the same respect for nature that made Bonita Bay so successful. But with a few differences.

Starting the Tradition

It took the better part of 1979 and 1980 to assemble the parcels, a year to obtain initial permits, and another year waiting out an economic slump before construction started in 1984. Sales in 1997 reached a record $163 million, a $37 million increase over 1996.

In the beginning, selling lifestyle was paramount. Time and again, this has proven to be a main consideration to those moving to Southwest Florida. The community is synonymous with golf. Bonita Bay is among the very few communities in the country to boast an impressive 90 holes of golf.

Velvety fairways meander through pristine, picturesque greens with much of the native vegetation left intact, presenting dogleg challenges and par predicaments to delight players of all skills. In fact, so outstanding is the golf here that many awards and accolades have been bestowed for the courses and their design.

Once past any of the guard-gated entrances to Bonita Bay, exquisite garden beds present a blossoming welcome. Grounds are commonly maintained and meticulously planted, repeatedly garnering yet more recognition for landscape excellence.

The Brooks

Bonita Bay symbolizes Florida living at its best. Can The Brooks thrive in the large shadow of its successful sister community? Dennis Gilkey thinks so. "We will stay with the environmental theme we have trademarked ourselves here at Bonita Bay. At The Brooks, we have over 400 acres of wetland areas, natural areas that will be preserved and worked into the plan. We will also be enhancing some of the wetland systems that aren't in good shape."

Other characteristics will distinguish The Brooks, too. According to Gary Sandor, vice president of sales and marketing for Bonita Bay Properties, The Brooks will be composed of several independent gate-guarded communities (there is only one gate through which to pass into Bonita Bay).

Shadow Wood, an exclusive country club in the traditional sense, will have a 7,200-yard course designed by Bob Cupp and offers the option of a golf, sports or social membership. With a maximum of 350 members, golfers won't have to wait long for a tee time. A preferred builder program will offer a combination of housing options, from patio and carriage homes to estate-sized single-family residences. Prices range from around $100,000 to $400,000 and include a variety of home styles from which to choose.

Spring Run is what the industry terms a "bundled" golf community; varying levels of membership come with a home purchase. The course is being designed by Gordon Lewis and will be surrounded by four neighborhoods consisting of garden condominiums, carriage homes, attached and detached villas. Prices here range from $108,900 to around $225,000.

These, and future communities at The Brooks, will be held together by a town center called The Commons. Why a town center? It's a sort of back-to-the-future trend occurring throughout the country whereby residents want (and builders give them) a return to a lifestyle not unlike early American life, which revolved around a village green or a town square.

Located approximately in the middle of the project, future residents enjoy large open spaces for casual gathering, and for community functions and events. More than just convenience retail space, "We're creating a commons area that will include a variety of commercial and recreational uses along with association uses for educational and meeting purposes that will all function within a commons center that will serve all the communities," says Sandor. It will include a children's play area, an enrichment center, an educational library, a telecommunications center, meeting and breakout rooms, and a restaurant. A health and fitness center and a beach club will form the Commons Club and will serve all of The Brooks. Some neighborhoods are planned to have their own amenities as well. Zoning is in place for offices, too, that will be used some time in the future.

Knowing the Market

Three market surveys were performed and focus groups conducted during the planning stages of The Brooks studying overall growth, demographics and competitive analysis of similar developments.

Who is their typical buyer? Research shows it is someone looking for a second home, often a Midwesterner in their early 50s. Surprising? "Where the market might have been in the 60s and late 50s, for the last 10 to 12 years, it's now down in the low 50s and will probably drill itself down even farther as the strength of the baby boomer market begins to come in," says Sandor. And with the younger buyer comes children, sometimes teenagers, sometimes younger.

Studies also showed that more than 70 percent of owners were on the Internet. The Brooks will offer high-speed Internet access through a cable system being installed with the infrastructure. Residents will not only be able to check their stock portfolio from their den, but can also schedule tee times and communicate with their neighbors via an Intranet system.

As at Bonita Bay, a design review board will ensure beautiful consistency by approving everything built within the community. In this way values are maintained by assuring an aesthetically-pleasing overall look. Top management is included on the board.

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