The architectural and landscaping design for The Avenue, a significant redevelopment project on Fifth Avenue South, received unanimous final approval Feb. 26 by the Naples Design Review Board.

Developer Aprea, led by Andy Penev, formerly of M Development, began demolition of the remaining three office buildings Feb. 21 to make way for the upscale mixed-use project that is targeted to begin construction this quarter on a nearly two-block area of Fifth Avenue South from the former longtime property of St. George & the Dragon restaurant near the city’s Four Corners to 11th Street South.

“The start of demolition is the first of many milestones to come,” Penev said.

The sprawling pedestrian-friendly project at the entrance to the city’s downtown consists of four three-story buildings combining 50 luxury condominiums on the upper floors with 75,000 square feet of retail and restaurant units on the ground floor. The site is bordered by Fifth Avenue South, Sixth Avenue South, 10th Street South and 11th Street South.

“We’re excited the project is moving forward,” said architect Ian Mills, executive director of Morris Adjmi Architects, who presented plans for The Avenue to the board with design director Matthew Lewis of L&ND landscape design. MHK Architecture serves as New York-based MA Architect’s local partner on the project.

“The circulation paths around the site, sort of bisecting the site north-south and east-west, are something that has formed a sort of parti and really the impetus for the design of the building and bringing people across the site in many different ways, connecting Tin City to the shopping district on Fifth Avenue,” Mills said. “We thought that was really important both just to liven the site and also to provide that sort of connection.”

Not only will the project create a tree-lined Oak Row on the existing east-west alley between the buildings, but a north-south “via” also cuts through both buildings. Retail shops and restaurants will be accessible to pedestrians and vehicles along both passageways, as well as along the perimeter of the buildings.

At its recent meeting, the Design Review Board approved the two buildings and alleyway for the 1000 block of Fifth Avenue. The other two smaller buildings and parking garage planned for the 900 block were previously approved.

“As you know, this project is the subject of a settlement agreement between City Council and the developer. That settlement agreement did detail the process that this project would take, and this is the final step for the project,” said Naples Planning Director Erica Martin.

City Council approval was granted Feb. 20 for the project and architects presented revised plans addressing the 14 conditions for final approval the city outlined during the preliminary design review process.

For instance, the architect added breakfast nooks to the residences as a functional space that helps to visually divide the horizontal span of the long buildings. “I think it’s an improvement. It does break up that massing and gives it a different proportion,” DRB chair Stephen Hruby said. “So, I think that was a good move.”

Between the preliminary and final design approvals, the petitioner obtained administrative approval of a site plan and City Council approval of a subdivision replat to create the two parcels on either side of the platted alley, Martin said.

In granting final design approval, city staff outlined additional conditions, including increasing the density and cadence of the trees on the north side of the 1000 block building to be consistent with the 900 block; considering the expansion of granite at the base of the building; and ensuring that the landscape plans are consistent with the renderings.

The Dawn McKenna Group began sales in January for the two- to four-bedroom residences at The Avenue, priced from nearly $3 million to $8 million. Each building will feature distinctive amenities, including pools, state-of-the-art fitness centers, and five-star, hotel-level concierge services.

Retail tenants have not been announced yet for The Avenue, which is expected to be completed within two years, Penev said.