Ekos Creekside ‘affordable’ housing breaks ground in East Naples

Site work began last fall along Collier Boulevard to prepare for the construction of Ekos Creekside, but the March 4 groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of vertical construction of the seven-story “affordable” multifamily housing community in East Naples. 

Ekos Creekside is the first development in Collier County to be delivered under Florida’s Live Local Act, a statewide initiative aimed at increasing affordable housing opportunities. Groundbreaking of the 160-unit apartment building was hosted by McDowell Housing Partners, a leading investor and developer of affordable housing, and Naples-based construction company DeAngelis Diamond. To prepare for the groundbreaking, two single-family structures on the southern edge of the property at 6360 Collier Blvd. were demolished in late 2025 and acres of trees were cleared. 

Ekos Creekside is a commitment to the workforce and families that keep the local economy running, said Christopher Shear, president of Miami-based McDowell Housing Partners. 

“With 160 apartments for working families in a prime location along the Tamiami Trail corridor, and with rents more than 30% below market, Ekos Creekside is our fourth affordable housing development in Naples, and our most impactful,” Shear said. “We are investing in the long-term prosperity of Collier County by ensuring our vital workforce has quality, affordable homes.” 

McDowell Housing Partners’ fourth project in East Naples was the first Collier County commissioners approved to use county infrastructure surtax dollars for affordable housing. Ekos Creekside will provide additional housing options for households in the Naples market making 30% to 80% of the area median income. The county acquired the property’s 7.43 acres in November 2024 for $3.75 million. 

Construction plans show 98 one-bedroom, 48 two-bedroom and 14 three-bedroom apartments ranging from 767 to 1,287 square feet. The apartments will be in a green building certified under the National Green Building Standards to help lower costs for utilities. 

"Affordable housing is one of the most pressing needs facing communities across Florida, and Collier County is no exception. As Naples natives, we understand firsthand the challenges families and workers face in finding quality, attainable housing in this market,” said Reggie Morgan, president of DeAngelis Diamond. “Through intensive collaboration and innovative solutions, we are proud to partner with McDowell Housing Partners to help address that need and make a lasting difference right in our own backyard.” 

Ekos Creekside takes its name from its location on Henderson Creek, which winds its way through the protected lands of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve along the Gulf. The southern edge of the property is on the Henderson Creek waterway, while the northern edge is on Henderson Creek Drive, which is south of the Holiday Manor Cooperative and Walmart. The new apartment building is across Collier Boulevard from Rookery Bay and the Comcast office on Tower Road. 

Ekos Creekside will have an entrance off Collier Boulevard and another on Henderson Creek Drive. The community’s clubhouse will have a state-of-the-art fitness center, a business center with computer stations, and a multipurpose clubroom with a kitchenette. Overlooking Henderson Creek, the amenity area includes an outdoor swimming pool and a barbecue grill island.