Marco Island and Collier County

The timeless tropical paradise of Marco Island is, indeed, a rare jewel. Located at the northernmost point of the picturesque Ten Thousand Islands and just south of Naples, Marco Island is home to miles of white sand beaches, a tropical your-round climate, and all the lifestyle trappings one could ask for. From dining to entertainment, shopping and attractions and boating, fishing, golf and more, it is truly an island in the sun you’ll love to call home.

Old Naples takes its name from the seaside village in Italy. It has developed from an isolated spot on the Gulf coast accessible only by boat to a sophisticated tropical resort noted for its boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and street fairs on Fifth Avenue South and Third Street. While the Gulf-front mansions and historic Naples Pier are often pictured in the tourist ads, the village is filled with condos and villas and single-family houses from cottage-style to statuesque. Old Naples is at the northern part of a peninsula that includes Aqualane Shores and Port Royal. On the western front is the award-winning beach and on the east side the City Dock on Naples Bay.

Gulf Shore Boulevard North, both the street and the neighborhood in Park Shore, is surrounded by pristine beaches to the west and Venetian Bay to the east. This neighborhood was developed by the Lutgert family, which drew inspiration from Venice, with its cleverly crafted waterway design and architectural styles. Tall luxury highrises look out onto the Gulf of Mexico and the more modest-sized ones that line Venetian Bay. Some custom-designed single-family houses and villas are clustered about. Fine boutiques and popular waterfront restaurants are centered in Venetian Village, as well as the always-crowded Ben & Jerry’s ice cream store. The neighborhood is popular with boat-owners who can maneuver under a few bridges to reach the Gulf via Doctor’s Pass.

Port Royal, on the south part of the peninsula that also includes Old Naples and Aqualane Shores, is the premier boating community in Naples. Of the 500 or so single-family houses in the community, most have back-yard docks on Naples Bay or one of the deep-water feeder canals, a few of which can handle boats up to 100 feet in length. On the western side of the neighborhood, beachfront mansions line the Gulf of Mexico. Some homes were built when the community was developed in the 1950s and 1960s, but most have been reconstructed or torn down to make way for new estates. Boaters can get to the Gulf of Mexico within minutes via Gordon Pass. Marine facilities are available at the City Dock in Old Naples. Residents on almost all the streets in Port Royal are eligible for membership in the Port Royal Club, which is directly on the beach. It has nine tennis courts, dining facilities and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The club serves as the Port Royal community center, with a wide variety of social activities.

Traditional single-story Florida architectural styles comprise much of the flavor of the Moorings. The neighborhood is centrally located, stretching from US 41 to the Gulf of Mexico, north of Coquina Sands and south of Parkshore. Part of the neighborhood lines Venetian Bay. Waterfront homes there on streets with nautical names have boat docks and fabulous sunset views. Another part, with street names derived from the game of golf, surrounds the Moorings Country Club, with its executive golf course. Banyan and palm trees line Crayton Road and the intersecting streets of the neighborhood. Many of the older homes have been renovated, reconstructed or torn down to make way for new homes.

Mediterra is Bonita Bay Properties, Inc.’s first master-planned community with a Naples address. In this upscale community, Europe’s Mediterranean influence is apparent in the architectual theme throughout. You will find a diverse collection of home styles in enclaves of villa, coach home and elegant custom estate homes. With fewer than 950 residential units residing on 1,647-acres the area is low density and provides residents with miles of bike trails and hiking paths for leisure enjoyment. The master plan for Mediterra includes two 18-hole championship golf courses, with each course limited to 275 members, designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio. Additional luxury amenities include a 25,000-square foot clubhouse, a Swim and Tennis Fitness Center, and an Enrichment Center.

Located in North Naples, Pine Ridge Estates offers luxury homes on 1 to 9 acre parcels. It is located 1 mile from the Gulf of Mexico in a private wooded setting with many trees and lakes. Perfect for equestrians Pine Ridge Estates is bordered on the north by Vanderbilt beach road and on the south by Pine Ridge Road. From Pine Ridge Estates it is an easy ride to the fine dining and shopping of downtown Naples as well as the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts.

Golden Gate Estates is located in the eastern portion of Naples and gives a unique opportunity for buyers. Golden Gate Estates is a fast growing acreage community. The Estates offer acreage ranging from 1.14 acres and up. Known for their spacious acreage, many of these properties allow horses, (two animals per acre) have extra storage space and plenty of yard space for you and your family to enjoy. Picayune Strand State Forest and Belle Meade offer plenty of recreational activities for area residents all within a short distance away. For equestrians, the Belle Meade Horse trail offers a scenic route through natural preserves. If jogging, walking or biking is your passion, the Sabal Palm Hiking Trail is a short distance away. All of this is at your doorstep, and a with short drive west, you’ll be at some of the world’s most exquisite beaches in Naples. In addition, there are plenty of schools, golf courses, shopping and dining nearby for your enjoyment.

Audubon is aptly named for the renowned naturalist, with a community limited to 400 homes over 770 acres. That leaves room for a couple dozen lakes and more than 200 acres of preserves. The luxurious condominiums, single-family homes, free-standing villas and custom-designed estate-sized houses are clustered in 14 neighborhoods with golf, lake and preserve views. Golf courses, designed by Joe Lee, lie on both sides of Vanderbilt Drive. In addition, there are eight Har-Tru tennis courts, tournament-rated croquet courts and an extensive fitness and social program.

Bay Colony is an exclusive community designed to provide the top level of services to its residents. Located within Pelican Bay and adjacent to the Ritz Carlton hotel, it includes beachfront estate homes in a neighborhood called the Strand; luxurious villas in Vizcaya and Villa la Palma; custom-built single-family houses in a neighborhood called the Shores, and 11 highrises. The highrises are the Biltmore, Brighton, Carlyle, Contessa, Mansion la Palma, Marquesa, Remington, Salerno, Toscana, Trieste and Windsor. Amenities include a pool and dining facilities at the club directly on the beach, as well as state-of-the-art hydro tennis courts. Residents are eligible to join the Bay Colony Golf Club, located within the community of Pelican Marsh. Known as the Estates of Bay Colony, the golf neighborhood has 75 homesites with elegant custom-designed single-family houses the look out over the golf course, lakes or preserves.

Barefoot Beach is one of the most exclusive beachfront areas in Florida with luxury estates and condos. Tropical charm and luxury living blend to offer you the best in Florida waterfront living. Bayfront home communities such as Southport offer gulf and bay views with direct gulf boat access. While located in Collier County, Barefoot Beach is accessed through the City of Bonita Springs. Numerous shopping venues and cultural activities arelocated nearby. Prices range from 1.5 million to over 6 million.

Grey Oaks attracts avid golfers and those who just want to live in a beautiful setting. It is an award-winning master-planned community with a wide variety of neighborhoods that feature luxury condos, villas and single-family estates. Clifton, Ezell and Clifton, designed the Pine and Palm golf courses. Bob Cupp added a third course in the Estuary neighborhood. There is an 18-hole putting course built to USGA specifications as well. Amenities including eight tennis courts, lagoon-style swimming pools, two clubhouses with formal and casual dining and fitness facilities. Residents may own their own golf carts.

Pelican Bay is a master-planned community that has 65 neighborhoods clustered around three miles of pristine beach. The area is bounded by two sentinels: the Naples Grande hotel on the south and the five-star Ritz-Carlton on the north. With the exception of the Strand neighborhood of Gulfside mansions, residences are separated from the beach by a mangrove forest and Clam Bay. A string of highrise towers, however, have stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. The interior properties include midrise buildings, attached and detached villas, garden condos and single-family houses that surround the private, 27-hole Pelican Bay golf course. The neighborhood is governed by the Pelican Bay Foundation, which maintains two beachside restaurants, tennis facilities and the Community Center, which includes meeting and social rooms and a business center. The hub of the community is the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, which hosts world class performers and artists. The Waterside shopping center includes internationally known stores and popular restaurants.

Quail Creek Village is a community built on 130 acres adjacent to Quail Creek Estates. It has 325 homes, including single-family houses, villas and condominiums, most with golf and lake views. All residents are members of its golf club, which has a 4,800-yard, par-69 golf course; tennis courts; restaurant, and a resort-style pool.