Tim Aten Knows: The Halcyon adding to East Naples evolution

The Halcyon Residences & Marina are part of the redevelopment transformation that spreads from the city limits at the Gordon River bridge eastward along Davis Boulevard and U.S. 41 East and south along Bayshore Drive. 

The Halcyon’s planned 66 condominium units and a private marina with 120 boat slips at 2015 Davis Blvd. is destined to redesign that commercial area from the former Capital Pawn shop to buildings that formerly included Brookside Marina, West Marine, Castaways Backwater Cafe and Brookside Bowl. The proposed new residences join a growing list of redevelopment projects proposed or already under construction in that area of unincorporated Collier County.  

In recent months, we’ve reported on the JW Marriott hotel under construction on the East Trail, plans to redevelop the shuttered Oakes Farms Market and former Salvation Army store on Davis, and more than a dozen projects planned along Bayshore Drive as part of the Bayshore Gateway Triangle redevelopment area. Directly across the street from The Halcyon project are the Ascent and Avra residential towers of Metropolitan Naples.  

The Halcyon’s development team feels as if it’s getting in on the ground floor as far as redevelopment of Davis Boulevard. It is happy to follow Metropolitan Naples, which was first to plant a flag there — recently — for residential development. 

“It showed that people are interested in living at this location. We have the advantage of being second and with water, which is another incredible advantage,” said Christine Lutz of Naples-based Dawn McKenna Group, which launched an immersive sales gallery in January at 1933 Davis Blvd. The incredible transformation of the former pawn shop spotlights the exterior and interior capabilities of the developer while expertly displaying The Halcyon’s luxury lifestyle and amenities.  

The venture’s gallery also sells the collaboration of its developers, Henley US and Gillette Development, and showcases the work of the residences’ construction and design team, which includes MHK Architecture, Megan Sherwood Design and DeAngelis Diamond. 

Gavin Gillette, principal of Naples-based Gillette Development, has been working for years to assemble the six parcels comprising The Halcyon. “It’s nice to see the fruits of your labor. A lot of people had looked at this property over the years,” Gillette said.  

The former pawn shop was a late addition to the assemblage but integral to the pre-sale stage and the entire project. Although it was transformed for the sales gallery, it will be demolished ahead of construction of The Halcyon, a project expected to cost $400 million, said Emma Rickwood of Henley Investment. 

“We are not aiming for mediocre here. We’re aiming for a superb landmark and product,” Rickwood said. “We just want to be proud of what we build.” 

The goal is to start construction around the first quarter of 2027 — when about 30% of the units are expected to be under contract — with tenants moving in about two years later, Rickwood said. Within about two weeks of launching the sales office, the first sales were already secured, including one of The Halcyon’s penthouses for just under $7 million.  

“We’ve been quietly marketing to early adapters,” Lutz said. “We’ve been capturing interest, and people are starting to come take a look and seeing what we have to offer. The response has been incredibly positive.” 

The Halcyon Residences & Marina are set on more than 8.25 acres, split fairly evenly over land and water off Rock Creek, which connects to the Gulf via the Gordon River and Naples Bay. Two main six-story buildings will feature the 2,190-square-foot to 3,375-square-foot condos that range from two-bedroom estate-style homes with studies to four-bedroom penthouses. 

“They’re ranging in price anywhere from just under $3 million and approach a little over $7 million,” Lutz said. “They’re very gracious in space. These are estate-scale homes, and so they’re very, very gracious. It doesn’t feel like a condominium. It feels like a home.” 

A lot of strategic thinking went into providing adequate living space for those downsizing their home to a condominium, Rickwood said. Lutz believes Halcyon is an attractive opportunity for people who own boats and already live in coastal Collier County and seek to downsize from areas such as Royal Harbor or Marco Island. 

“There are others who live in condominiums that were recently competed who are looking at this as an upsize,” she said. “But because we have the gracious space, because we’re at an attractive price point, I believe we will end up getting a lot of first-timers — people who’ve been coming here for years because their parents had a place here. There’s a very youthful vitality to what is offered here, so I can see the people who have been coming to visit mom and dad, grandpa for years, this is where they’re going and are going to stake their claim here. It is such a wide appeal.” 

That appeal includes the marina and a clubhouse that serves as not only a gathering spot but a wellness center. 

“The fact that we have the marina is really the secret weapon here,” Rickwood said. “There is enough dockage here for every single homeowner — there are 66 residences — to have a boat here very easily.” 

Because it’s in a flood zone, the first residential floor will be elevated at 16 feet, Lutz said. “There’s garage parking underneath — two parking spaces per home,” she said. “There are also private elevator entrances into each home, which is really wonderful and on top of having a 24-hour doorman and concierge services and wellness amenities that are unmatched.” 

A three-story freestanding clubhouse will include a fitness center, men’s and women’s spas and locker rooms, a stretch zone with spaces for Pilates and yoga, a massage room, a treatment room, a golf simulator, a club room, a game room, a juice bar, cabanas and outdoor terraces, architectural plans show. It includes a resort-style infinity-edge pool overlooking the marina with private cabanas and a Captain’s Club and speakeasy. Pickleball and padel courts are atop the porte-cochere at the entrance to the condominiums. 

“It’s really useful for people who want to engage in a healthy lifestyle,” Lutz said. 

After all, halcyon days recall and celebrate the joys of life. 

“Halcyon means the golden moments of your life,” Rickwood said. “We love that. Our hope is that this can become a community where people come to live a better life. This is about activation, wellness, fun, everything you worked so hard for. This is where it’s going to happen.” 

The Tim Aten Knows weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at Tim.Aten@NaplesPress.com.