You don't know Jack

Arden Portny, who will move into her Esplanade unit this spring, says there are few outdoor restaurants on the water in Marco, so this would be a plus for residents and the public. Portny says she called 14 condo owners and that each supported the café plan. "They were surprised that this was a problem," she says.

Now that he's resolved the issues with the city (after agreeing to certain closing hours and proving that parking is adequate), Antaramian will move forward with the café. "At times there's been controversy," says Marco Island community development director Greg Niles of Antaramian. "But when the dust settles, there's an advantage to the projects he does. He's done a very good job to date and he's raised the bar."

A Lasting Impression

Over the years, Antaramian has made himself a force in Southwest Florida commercial development. When he left Boston, his company had about five employees. Now there are 12. But he's certainly employed hundreds more through subcontracting. And his work has been distinguished.

Admirers praise Antaramian's attention to detail, insistence on quality, and his creativity. That is a blessing for architects such as Rey Pezeshkan. "Jack is a developer with a great vision," says Pezeshkan, who has worked for Antaramian on various projects. "He really develops for the future."

Marco Island's Niles agrees: "When he does projects, he does them first class, with the aesthetics and landscaping."

That means using top materials and not cutting corners. "Naples is a town in which people understand quality and don't mind paying," says Pezeshkan, president of Naples-based Architectural Network. "If you don't provide quality, it will backfire." Often, that means going to neighborhood meetings to get input and to make sure residents are having their needs met. "Here we try to get the neighbors' acceptance and approval," Antaramian says. And in many cases, he's made adjustments to the plans, he says, which people appreciate.

Antaramian gets high marks from employees, whom he keeps hopping.

"He's not static in his thinking. He's always rethinking," Thomas says. "It's always interesting. It's challenging, and if that weren't the case, I wouldn't be here. He's demanding, and demanding of quality, and that's not a criticism."

When Antaramian's company bought the Boat Haven Marina, employee Ron Reutter and his three coworkers wondered whether they would still have jobs. Antaramian quickly answered that question in person. He visited the property and assured the crew they were still on board. He then saw to it that the grounds were spruced up and working conditions made better. Antaramian even helped clean out some of the spaces. "You'd swear he was just a laborer," says Reutter of his boss. "He didn't have to do that. He cares about helping the small people. He stops and talks to you like a real person."

And Antaramian surely exercises his vocal chords often during his hectic days, which typically begin about 5 a.m. He's always on the go, monitoring his properties and projects and constantly thinking ahead. Antaramian is also active in various causes and charities, among them the Marco Island Charter School, YMCA, American Cancer Society, Hospice of Naples, Community School in Naples and the David Lawrence Center. He used to fund the fireworks on Marco. He's received honors from the Cancer Society and will serve as honorary chairman for the YMCA's coming fundraising campaign.

Away from his hectic business and community schedule, Antaramian enjoys time with his second wife, Mona, son, David, 12, and daughter, Zahra, 9. He plays tennis and does a little fishing-usually, he says, when Zahra has the itch. And each Saturday, the family motors from their exclusive Naples neighborhood to McDonald's. "I just like the food," says Antaramian.

When asked whether his struggle to make money, at least early on, made him frugal, he answers quickly: "No. I don't think this is a practice run for me."