Terms for Naples locations a question of confusion

Anyone visiting Naples for the first time might find the common designations of certain areas of the city confusing. If they are seeing new homes in “East Naples,” why do the directions say to drive south? And if they are driving east on Golden Gate Boulevard or farther east on Immokalee Road, why aren’t they in “East Naples?”

"Over the years, the geography of the Naples area has changed with the growth of new neighborhoods into what was once considered outlying areas,” said Gary Hains, vice president of Fl Star Development.

FL Star is currently building Milano Lakes, an apartment community off Collier Boulevard, and developing Sapphire Cove, a neighborhood of single-family homes in the same area.

"I’m told that the area south of downtown Naples early on earned the designation of 'East Naples' because that was where the Tamiami Trail began turning east toward the Atlantic coast."

Now the portion of Naples that lies to the south has grown significantly, and Hains points out, the designation of ‘East Naples’ isn’t really accurate.

“The Collier Boulevard corridor has been a center of growth for Naples,” Hains said. “In 2007, Physician’s Regional Hospital located its state-of-the-art 212,400-square-foot, 100-bed acute care facility on Collier Boulevard, and the 80-acre Collier campus of Florida SouthWestern State College is just across the road.”

There are several established neighborhoods, and Hacienda Lakes, a 2,262-acre development of regional impact, has spurred the creation of new residential neighborhoods and will add a school and commercial development.

“Already there are more restaurants, retail stores, medical facilities and amenities than were here just a few years ago,” Hains commented. “The growth in this area puts Milano Lakes in a perfect location to provide residents with access to every convenience. They can enjoy a stroll in Serenity Park, pursue educational opportunities and enjoy nearby restaurants.”

Milano Lakes encompasses more than 23 acres along Collier Boulevard and will include 296 apartment homes in eight buildings when completed. There will be a 5,488-square-foot clubhouse for social gatherings, a resort-style swimming pool, a fitness center and a playground.

Residents will be able to choose from four floor plans, ranging from a one-bedroom design with 808 air-conditioned square feet and 889 total square feet to a three-bedroom apartment home with 1,439 air-conditioned square feet and a total of 1,545 square feet.

Hains said the community is on schedule to make the first apartments available for occupancy by the fourth quarter of 2017.

“The area to the south continues to grow,” Hanes said. “And development actually extends far to the east, along Immokalee Road and Golden Gate Boulevard. Now, for new residents and visitors, finding ‘East Naples’ is a little like playing 'Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?’ Collier Boulevard and the surrounding area needs a more accurate designation.”

Milano Lakes is being developed by an affiliate of FL Star, a conglomerate of real estate entities led by Gary Hains and David E. Torres.

Other projects by FL Star include Sapphire Cove, a new community of single-family homes off Collier Boulevard in Naples, and Arrowhead Reserve, a community of single-family homes in Immokalee.

FL Star also provides management services for commercial and industrial buildings for real estate owners and condominium associations including maintenance, collection of rents and financial reporting.

For more information about Milano Lakes Apartments, contact Gary Hains, Lords Way Apartments LLC, email gary@fl-star.com.