The second phase of Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club, 83 homes in four buildings, received final approval from the city and can now head toward construction.
The city Design Review Board unanimously approved final design plans for Golfside Residences at 1090 Crayton Road, four buildings ranging from four stories to seven atop parking, in addition to amenities that include a pool, pool house, garden and lake pavilion.
The six DRB members praised New York-based architects Hart Howerton Ltd. and O’Donnell Dannwolf & Partners Architects for listening to their concerns about site views, landscaping and pedestrian and bicycle safety.
New Naples Beach Club on map
“You have documented this thing from every corner possible, leaving nothing to the imagination,” said DRB Chair Steve Hruby, an architect and urban planner. “It was really tinkering and adjusting and I think you did a very successful job. … It improved the facade and a few of them improved the whole asset.”
The 216-room beachfront Four Seasons Resorts hotel, a Market Square with dining and entertainment open to the public, HB’s on the Gulf restaurant, Sunset Beach Bar, three residential buildings, golf and tennis courts have been approved; pickleball plans were abandoned. Last month, the DRB approved preliminary plans for tennis courts, renovated buildings that will preserve their old Florida style, and an 18-hole golf course designed by legendary golf course architect and designer Tom Fazio, which is expected to open next year.
Naples Beach Club rendering
Redevelopment already has begun, with several sites under construction, including the hotel, three residential buildings and amenities.
Preliminary design review for redevelopment of the entire Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club property was originally heard by the DRB in November 2018. Once completed, the project also will include 150 condominiums, restaurants, a two-level spa, ocean-front pools and numerous Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts amenities. In addition to rooms, the hotel will feature 47 suites.
Originally built in the 1880s, Naples Beach Hotel was owned and operated by HB Watkins’ family for more than 70 years until the 124.4-acre property was sold for $362.28 million in October 2021 to The Athens Group, a Phoenix-based luxury resort developer. The Watkins family chose it over 14 other proposals.
In November, the group signed an agreement with the city to preserve more than 104 acres of recreation and open space and recorded the conservation easement with nonprofit North American Land Trust. The easement was prompted by several homeowner associations, including Old Naples Association, Coquina Sands, The Moorings and Aqualane Shores after The Athens group sought deviations to allow greater density.
Throughout the design process, The Athens Group proposed site plan revisions on various tracts, refined building design and locations, enhanced amenities and enriched landscape and hardscape design connections. The group is developing it in partnership with BDT & MSD Partners, a merchant bank based in New York and Chicago.
Architect Tim McCarthy, of Hart Howerton, told the DRB the massing of the buildings will step down, like a wedding cake, as it approaches Coquina Sands to the north.
“The new buildings fit seamlessly into the Gulf Shore Boulevard neighborhood, complementing nearby homes with consistent architectural details, proportions and materials,” McCarthy said. “… The proposed Golfside Residences are designed to incorporate the benefit of natural resources and protect the residents, the guests and the service team from undesirable weather.”
Instead of just balconies, he said, outdoor living spaces are deep enough to furnish as an extension of the living room to take advantage of beautiful weather. Condo interiors will range from 13,134 square feet to 19,810 square feet.
City Planner Erica Martin noted the project team made substantial changes to the 6.28-acre golf-side phase since DRB preliminary approval in September, and satisfied conditions required by the DRB, Planning Advisory Board and City Council.
She said staff requests three conditions: continuing to work with them on required site-plan conditions; ensuring signs comply with requirements and are consistent with the beach club and golf course; and allowing staff to certify that the finished landscaping matches what was proposed and required.
