New Communities Springing to Life Across Naples & Collier County

🌴 What's Growing in Southwest Florida?

Naples and Collier County are booming in new residential developments, offering everything from high‑end master‑planned villages to budget‑friendly townhomes and apartments.

🏘️ 1. Big Cypress – The Town in the Making

• Alico Inc. is moving forward on a 3,000‑acre master‑planned community, featuring Corkscrew Grove East and West villages near the Collier‑Lee‑Hendry county line, with 1,500 acres conserved

• Construction is lined up to begin in 2028–29—this mix of homes and commercial hubs is part of Alico’s plan to unlock ~$335–380 million worth of land

🏘️ 2. Town of Big Cypress: Rural Lands West

• The area, originally called Rural Lands West, is transforming into the Town of Big Cypress with three villages—Rivergrass, Longwater, and Bellmar—on roughly 3,000 acres

• Rivergrass and Longwater are approved; Bellmar’s build is on hold by a federal judge due to wildlife concerns

🏡 3. Sabal Palm Road Townhomes & Single‑Family Homes

• A developer plans 423 homes on a former citrus grove east of Collier Blvd: 63 townhomes will be income‑restricted, first for Collier County.

• The affordable units, priced between 80–120 % of Collier’s $104,300 AMI, must stay low‑income for 30 years

• Density was reduced slightly to 2.5 units/acre, with increased open space (60%) and amenity centers

• Concerns remain over traffic, stormwater, and wildlife corridors like panther habitat

🏘️ 4. Ave Maria Expansion

• Barron Collier Companies plans two 1,500-acre mixed-use villages within a 5,000-acre footprint in Ave Maria — East and West Villages .

• Construction starts 2026, wrapping up villages by fall 2027. Part of the community includes new roads, retail, parks, and a Lake‑front apartment complex with 300 upscale units

• Ave Maria continues to add to its draw—over 60 businesses, restaurants, and even cultural spots like the University Oratory.

🏢 5. 205‑Unit Income‑Restricted Apartments

• A Naples developer recently unveiled plans for 205 apartments, including income‑qualified units, to replace an earlier 129‑unit affordable home project .

• This aligns with Collier’s push to address cost‑burdened households—over 50k families spend more than 50% of income on housing

🧭 Why It Matters

• Balanced growth: From luxury master‑planned villages to essential affordable units, Southwest Florida’s housing market is diversifying.

• Employer relief: Affordable townhomes near job centers help retain essential workers in healthcare, retail, education and more .

• Environmental balancing: Developers are including conservation easements, wildlife flow‑ways, and green space buffers as a response to community and regulatory pushback .

✅ What’s Next?

• Big Cypress (Bellmar) awaits environmental clearance—watch that judicial hold.

• County greenlights: Sabal Palm plan had Planning Commission approval April 17, awaiting Board review.

• Ave Maria villages: Permits and infrastructure under way; homes and roads due 2026–27.

• Apartment approvals: Keep tabs on the 205‑unit Naples site as it moves through development stages.

Bottom Line

From ultra‑planned villages to essential workforce units, Collier County is evolving. With nearly 3,000 acres in large‑scale plans and hundreds of affordable apartments and townhomes, the region is navigating smart growth: growth that’s accessible, sustainable, and community‑centric.