Page 11 - LIN_December 2022

WHAT’S THE STATUS OF THE

NAPLES BEACH CLUB

DEVELOPMENT?

By Jay Newman, COO / The Athens Group, Developer of the Naples Beach Club
As we continue to work with the community and the City of Naples on the Naples Beach Club,
a number of residents have asked about the status of the resort’s development. I appreciate
“Life in Naples” giving me the opportunity to provide an update as we continue to move forward.
The Athens Group and our partner, MSD the new Conference Center is expected to be nationwide. NALT is known for its innovative
Partners, acquired the Naples Beach Hotel & completed in late 2024. land conservation partnerships. I am pleased
Golf Club from the Watkins family in October As promised, the first phase will feature to report we signed this historic easement with
of 2021. Our purchase was the culmination of the beloved Sunset Beach Bar and HB’s on the Mayor Heitmann in the spring and expect it
several years of working with the family and Gulf, which will be significantly improved to be recorded early next year when the City
the City to enhance the Watkins family’s won- and will remain open for the community to issues the building permits for the resort’s first
derful legacy with a new luxury resort, The enjoy. We look forward to sharing many a phase.
Naples Beach Club, that is befitting of Naples. sunset with you at Old Naples’ only beachfront The Conservation Easement also includes,
The resort will be managed by Four Seasons dining location. in a fixed location, 70 contiguous acres of open
Hotels and Resorts, a luxury hotel company In 2020, we agreed to grant to the City its space within the total 104.6-acre easement
with a sterling reputation for quality and com- first Conservation Easement, and we finalized area along the northern, eastern and southern
munity commitment. The Naples Beach Club the legal documentation earlier this year. The perimeter of the existing golf course.
will be a beach-front, 124-acre resort with a Conservation Easement will ensure the vast I am proud to say that the Conservation
216-room hotel and no more than 185 luxury majority of our property, in fact more than Easement is the successful culmination of a
residences. 80%, will be preserved forever as recreation complex, innovative, and historic collabora-
We commenced demolition of the exist- and open space. We and the City Council tion among the City of Naples, NALT and the
ing hotel and most of its facilities, with the are incredibly pleased that the Conservation Naples Beach Club.
exception of the Sunset Beach Bar and HB’s Easement will be in partnership with the Our decision to grant the Conservation
on the Gulf, earlier this year. The first phase North American Land Trust (NALT), a pre- Easement was strictly voluntary and reflects
of the project, which includes the new hotel, eminent non-profit organization responsible our desire to give back to the community as
the beachfront residences, Market Square, and for more than 600 conservation easements we develop this beautiful property in the heart
of Old Naples. In short, this Conservation
Easement will ensure that our golf course will
never be developed for residential or commer-
cial use.
The benefits and value to the City’s residents
from this easement will be significant, as it will
further the goals and objectives of the City
of Naples Vision 2021 “to protect and enhance
the natural environment” while ensuring
“sustained economic vitality” and the City’s
“natural beauty” and “quality of life.”
This landmark agreement will serve as a
proud legacy for future generations of Naples’
residents, as well as a model of conservation and
collaboration for other communities to follow.
As the developer, we are committed to creat-
ing the most beautiful resort possible in Naples,
and we look forward to sharing it with you,
your families and your friends when we open.
We sincerely appreciate your support and well
wishes.
Above: HB's on the Gulf Right: Naples Beach Hotel Golf Course
Feel free to contact me and the development team with any questions or comments.
For further information, please visit NaplesBeachClub.com. I can be contacted at jnewman@athensdevco.com.

Life in Naples December 2022 11