Paraíso Beach Club breaks ground on Vanderbilt Beach

The investors behind Paraíso Beach Club anticipate creating their own private paradise on Vanderbilt Beach in North Naples. 

Scores of club members and guests turned out July 15 for the beachfront groundbreaking of Paraíso, which means “paradise” in Spanish. The three-story luxury beach club will be built on 200 feet of Gulf shoreline at 10025 Gulf Shore Drive. 

“I was fortunate to be the first investor in the Paraíso Beach Club, not because I knew exactly what the finished club would look like, because I believe in the vision,” said Gerard “Gerry” Dube, who emceed the groundbreaking event. “Today, standing here, I have even greater confidence that this will become one of Naples’ most special places. 

“Groundbreakings like this are symbolic; you turn over a little sand, but what we’re doing is making and marking the beginning of something that’s much bigger. Months from now, there’ll be a beautiful building on this site. Years from now, there’ll have been thousands of shared meals, celebrations, friendships and family traditions that all began right here on this very spot where we stand today.” 

The vacant 1.35 acres just north of LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort formerly were two residential lots that were rezoned last year adjacent to Vanderbilt Beach Access No. 4, where Bayview Avenue meets Gulf Shore Drive. Both homes on those lots previously were razed. 

The Mediterranean-style beach club is designed to resemble a large home on the beach. The club will offer shuttle service for members and staff, with no on-site parking except for special needs access. PCL Construction is the contractor for the project, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027. 

“Looking back, this started nearly four years ago at my kitchen table, drawing up designs and thoughts,” said Paraíso founder David Tingley, general partner and executive officer of Paraíso Beach Club LLC. “I always knew Naples needed a beach club that was a little different. Now, almost four years later, there’s almost 100 people here, friends and neighbors, investors, family, and we’re standing right here where it’s going to happen.” 

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved plans for the elevated beach club last October. Before Commissioner Chris Hall and other supporters dug golden shovels into the sand this week to commemorate the club’s construction start, Tingley admitted that he didn’t think the project would take as long as it did to get to this point. 

“To be honest with you, I thought it would take a year or a year and a half. Anyone who has done development in Florida is laughing right now,” he said. “Easily two years just for the design. We did a lot of designing and redesigning, environmental studies, coastal permitting, community meetings, neighborhood meetings, but, honestly, out of all that we have a better project as a result.” 

Beyond its exclusive beachfront access and sunset views, the club will feature many amenities. Three distinct dining venues will include a fine-dining room and an open-air bar and grill. Members and their guests will be able to enjoy saltwater pools with private cabanas, and a serene wellness retreat with a sauna, cold plunge, yoga and paddleboarding. Membership to the exclusive club is open to the public, but will be capped at 600-plus. 

“I’d like to recognize everyone whose vision, persistence and hard work brought us here today,” Dube said. “Projects like this require courage, determination and the willingness to believe in something long before you can actually see it. Today and to our future members, thank you for believing in this dream. To our investors and partners, thank you for your confidence. And, to our team, congratulations for reaching this important milestone.”