Tim Aten Knows: Plans approved for Waterside Shops changes

Following demolition projects at the former Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble and US Bank spaces at Waterside Shops, construction plans were approved this summer for RH, Williams Sonoma/Pottery Barn and Eddie V’s Prime Seafood in standalone spots on three corners of the upscale open-air mall on the northwest corner of U.S. 41 North and Seagate Drive in Naples. 

Waterside Shops’ website and retailer map now includes labels for newcomers Restoration Hardware and Eddie V’s, as well as new prominent spots for Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn relocation. Occurring simultaneously, the changes represent The Forbes Company’s most notable redevelopment of Waterside Shops since the Michigan-based company acquired the luxury center more than two decades ago. 

“Since the rebirth of Waterside Shops in 2005, the Naples market has continued to emerge as one of Florida’s most vibrant retail and residential destinations. We remain dedicated to meeting the strong demand for best-in-class shopping and dining experiences in this region, along with retail partners who are not shy about bringing exceptional store design to this property,” said Nate Forbes, managing partner of The Forbes Company. “As the next chapter for Waterside Shops is unfolding, we will continue to hold our place as the number one retail destination in this region, while supporting one of the most philanthropic markets in our portfolio.”  

RH Naples 

RH was issued its construction permit Aug. 7 to build its upscale furniture store and restaurant projected to open in 2026 on the site of the former Nordstrom and Jacobson’s department stores at Waterside Shops in Naples. The project’s final site development plans at 5489 Tamiami Trail N. were approved this summer by the Collier County Growth Management Community Development Department. 

The one-story, 29,382-square-foot retail space for RH Naples will include six separate galleries with skylights connected by landscaped courtyards, glass-roofed walkways and outdoor seating spaces with fountains and palm trees. These will surround a central 4,143-square-foot, full-service, 174-seat RH restaurant and wine bar beneath an elongated glass atrium, architectural plans show.  

RH Naples is expected to open near the end of 2026. “We have not formally announced the timing for the opening and are currently unable to provide project details,” emailed the communications manager for the New York marketing firm representing RH. 

Originally founded in 1979 as Restoration Hardware, RH operates more than 100 retail locations worldwide, including five galleries and four outlets in Florida. The upscale American home-furnishings company is headquartered near San Francisco, California. 

Detroit, Michigan-based Sachse Construction and Development Co. was the contractor overseeing the demolition of the former 74,591-square-foot Nordstrom department store and the other two recent demolition projects on the exterior of Waterside Shops. The company is supervising the buildout of the new spaces for Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma and Eddie V’s, but the development contract for RH has not been awarded yet, said Chuck Hundley, an account executive for Sachse. 

“We don’t know for sure that we’re going to build the RH, but we do know we’ll get the pad ready for them, The Forbes Company,” Hundley said. “We built an RH for them up in Birmingham, Michigan, that’s going to open sometime in October. So, there’s a good chance we could build the one in Naples, but we don’t know that for a fact yet.”  

Pottery Barn & Williams Sonoma 

Following a major demolition project within the former Barnes & Noble bookstore on the opposite corner of Waterside Shops, the construction phase has begun for the new Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn stores in that two-story, standalone building. 

Expect the new spaces for Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma to be completed near the end of this year. “Opening Holiday 2025” appears on perimeter construction fences. 

“I can tell you both those are going to be right toward the very end of the year,” Hundley said. “Our target is before the holiday.” 

The existing Pottery Barn store within Waterside Shops remains operating for now, but the longtime Williams Sonoma store within Waterside closed in January, temporarily leaving the nearest Williams Sonoma retail location at The Mall at University Town Center near Sarasota.  

Tenant improvement for the new Williams Sonoma consists of renovation work that will include new interior partitions and related electrical, mechanical, plumbing and structural design. The air-conditioned square footage on the second floor was reduced by converting a portion of the previous floor area into an outdoor open area for displaying patio furniture. Glass Land Inc. in Miami has been subcontracted to install eight doors and 51 storefront windows, plans show. 

Eddie V’s 

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, the only Darden Restaurants concept not already in Southwest Florida, is being built out in the former office building of Bank of America Private Bank at 765 Seagate Drive, on the southwest corner of Waterside Shops. Only the metal frame of the structure remained after demolition. 

Until recently, the restaurant project was partially obscured, but it is more visible now because of its additional height and bright yellow substrate sheathing panels on its exterior. 

“We are still early in the permitting process, so I don't have any details to share at this time,” said Leah Santiago, a manager of communications for Orlando-based Darden. 

However, some details for the upscale restaurant project are contained in the architectural plans filed with the county. In addition to the main dining room, interior construction plans show a speakeasy room, a large bar lounge area with a stage, a wine room and two private dining rooms. A patio will be on the eastern end of the building that will provide outdoor dining for the 361-seat restaurant. 

Eddie V’s in Naples is targeted to open in early 2026, Hundley said. 

More at Waterside 

Other changes are happening within inline spaces at the 29-acre Waterside Shops.  

Christian Dior and Brunello Cucinelli boutiques soon will replace the former Williams Sonoma store inside the mall. Interior work began in May for Dior and the buildout for Brunello Cucinelli began this summer after its construction documents were approved July 28, county records show. 

Waterside has not announced yet which retailer will fill the longtime space that Pottery Barn will vacate when it relocates to its new outparcel. This change will be part of the bigger picture at the luxury shopping and dining destination.  

“They’ve got some prominent tenants that they’re talking to about coming in in ’26, so I think you’ll see more changes in 2026, more to come. It’s all very positive,” Hundley said. 

Of course, these future plans follow recent transitions that already occurred this year.  

Tumi, a manufacturer of high-end suitcases and travel essentials, recently opened in the former Frances Valentine space. The Beaufort Bonnet Co. children’s clothing store opened in March in Peloton’s former space between True Food Kitchen and Lilly Pulitzer. 

To give Dior more room, Italian brands Panerai watches and 120% Lino clothier recently moved across the mall to neighboring units between Santa Fe Café and Yamron Jewelers. Also, remodeling of the existing Sephora store began in August. While Sephora’s storefront will remain as is, the 4,700-square-foot space will see new and relocated sales floor fixtures, floor finish replacement and minor electrical work, plans show.  

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