Tim Aten Knows: Motor suites being built near Naples Airport

Q: Do you know what they are building next to Mister Car Wash and the RaceTrac on Airport Road? – Mary Veliz, Naples  

A: Jetport Motor Suites, a 49-unit luxury vehicle and motorhome storage facility, is under construction in six buildings on 4.74 acres directly behind the RaceTrac gas station and Mister Car Wash on Airport-Pulling Road in Naples. 

The more than 87,000-square-foot project is at 3106 N. Horseshoe Drive in the commercial business park immediately north of the Naples Airport. The first of two phases is under construction now and owners will be able to move in early next year, said a representative of Jetport Motor Suites. 

“We’re getting ready to put roofs on; we’ll be open by March,” the spokesman said. “The pricing starts from $870,000. Some of the bigger units start close to $2 million.” 

The location of the automobile suites is a selling point, inviting potential owners to “depart from the ordinary.” The business is being marketed as suites for curated private collectors with luxury vehicles in the city’s 34102 ZIP code, which includes Old Naples and Port Royal residences.  

“Within city limits, it’s the closest one that’s available to that area,” the spokesman said. “And then, we’re right next to the Naples Airport, too. We have a black car service and a concierge, so someone can come over, leave their car in their unit and we’ll take them over to the airport, pick them up and so on and so forth because you can’t leave your car at the airport anymore.”  

Naples-based Horseshoe Motor Developers LLC acquired the vacant commercial property for the development project in December 2024 for more than $5.5 million. In addition to the gas station and car wash, the Collier Park of Commerce tract abuts the Horseshoe Drive property leased by Mason Classical Academy that the charter school uses as its south campus for grades K-6. 

Satisfying a local need realized after Hurricane Ian’s storm surge devastated the area three years ago and flooded vehicles along the Southwest Florida coast, Jetport Motor Suites is being built to exceed the 9-foot base flood elevation mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for that flood zone. 

“[Jetport] was born before Ian, but some of the changes that we made have been as a result of Ian. For instance, we’re above FEMA, the new FEMA, which is very important,” the spokesman said. “All the buildings have diesel backup generators on them so we never lose power, and then we’re implementing an emergency 500-year storm barrier system. So, even though we’re above the new FEMA, we’re adding that extra sense of security in case we have a 500-year storm flooding and everything.” 

Jetport Auto Suites is designed by Brak Architecture of Bonita Springs with landscape architecture by Agnoli, Barber & Brundage Inc. The local project received final design approval from the Naples Design Review Board in January 2024. During the DRB meeting, architect Shawn Brakmanis referred to the project as “a high-end, nicer place to store your vehicles.”  

Site work began this spring by Naples-based Surety Construction Co. The six 28-foot-tall buildings range from 9,380 square feet to 33,053 square feet, architectural plans show. A “members showroom” will function as a clubhouse for suite owners in the gated development. The site will front and have two entrances off the interior road that runs behind RaceTrac. 

The individual auto suites are available in a variety of sizes, including at least two that are large enough to store motorhomes or boats. The project initially was planned for 59 suites, but 10 units were eliminated to widen some of the suites. 

“These are man caves that you can decorate and deck them out and do anything. They do come built out, which is unique,” the spokesman said. “The ceiling is painted black. There’s already an 8-foot fan. The mezzanine is installed; it’s poured concrete and the flooring is in. The stairs are installed; it’s also poured concrete. The railing is in. There’s a full bathroom with shower. The drywall is installed already. All the lighting is in. There’s even a built-in power washer that comes included, too. So these are like move-in ready.” 

Of course, owners may customize their units by putting in an epoxy floor and painting or personalizing the walls. During pre-construction sales, the builder is offering a credit of $15 per square foot that can be used for customization or cash at closing. For more information, go to jetportmotorsuites.com. 

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