Unquestionably one of the best locations in Naples, Park Shore is within walking distance of white sand beaches, excellent restaurants and shops, and a short drive to most of Naples attractions. Developed many years ago as one of Naples's prime real estate locations, Park Shore is undergoing a reformation. Many old ranch-style bungalows from the 1970s and 1980s are gone, and huge mansions are replacing them. You will find that many of the listings in this area are land value only; the listing states there is no point seeing inside the house as it is a tear-down, and the value is in the land.
Park Shore lies between US 41 and the Gulf of Mexico, south of Seagate Drive, which becomes Pine Ridge Road, and north of Harbor Drive. There are more than 600 single-family homes, 25 high-rise condo buildings, and many mid-rise condos. One of the few areas in Naples actually located in the City of Naples, Park Shore offers a unique and luxurious lifestyle. The majority of Naples properties are located in Collier County, although these properties still have a Naples address. The City of Naples only runs west of US 41 from the southern tip of Naples to Pine Ridge Road.
The History of Park Shore
In 1964 Raymond Lutgert purchased 760 acres along the Gulf of Mexico. He envisioned that the mile and a quarter of perfect white sand bordered by US 41 on the east, would become the first planned development district in Collier County. Collaborating with engineers and architects, Lutgert developed Venetian Bay, a navigable body of water separating Gulf Shore Boulevard from the main Park Shore area.
The building of Park Shore began in 1976. The first building was Colony Gardens followed closely by Horizon House, the tallest building in Naples at the time. The Village on Venetian Bay was opened in 1988 and a second phase added in 1990. The unique boutiques and restaurants were handpicked to create a unique shopping experience.
Now enjoyed by people from all over the world, Park Shore can become your place to call home.
Start Your Day with the Beach and Park Shore Park
Residents of Park Shore often begin their day by getting outside and enjoying the stunning landscaping and the beach. A bike ride along the quiet streets and down Gulf Shore Boulevard is a great way to delight in the early morning sunshine and the sounds of waking birds. The speed limit is very low on Gulf Shore Boulevard, so you don't have to worry about speeding cars.
Alternatively, you can access the Park Shore walking path along the beach from one of the beach parking areas or directly from your building if you live in a beachfront high-rise. This beach park is a concrete sidewalk above the sand and stretches from Clam Pass to the mid-rise Horizon House condo building. There are benches to sit and enjoy the amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico rolling onto the sandy beach or the magnificent landscaping of the beachfront condo buildings. You will meet many other residents out for their morning stroll; if you are lucky, you will see dolphins playing in the Gulf waves. You are sure to see Pelicans swooping into the water to gather their breakfast, and often schools of fish will shimmer just below the water's surface. If you follow this path from Horizon House to the end and walk on the beach for a few yards, you will find access to Gulf Shore Boulevard, where you can walk beside Venetian Bay. The round trip back to Horizon House is almost exactly three miles.
Along with the concrete beach walking path, there is also a private beach park for the Park Shore Association members. Located between LaMer and Provence high-rise condo buildings, the entrance to the park requires a Park Shore pass. This park is a voluntary membership and usually costs about $100 per year. There is a guard at the gate, so you will not be allowed access without this pass. This park is open from dawn until 10 pm and is supervised by the security guards at the adjacent condo buildings. The Lutgert family originally developed the Park Shore area. In 1978, the family donated this beachfront property to the Park Shore Association for use by all the residents of Park Shore.
The Park Shore Association holds special events in this park with catering, refreshments, and live music. In the fall, a welcome back party welcomes residents back from their homes in the north, and in the spring, a spring fling event wishes the same residents goodbye as they head back up north. The Annual Membership meeting for the Park Shore Association is also held in this park in January each year.
Park Shore's White Sand Beach
If the 3-mile round trip on the walking path is not enough for you, the white sand beach stretches from Clam Pass Park in the north to Doctors Pass in the south and is completely accessible from the beach parking areas or the beachfront buildings of Park Shore. Although you will be walking from Park Shore to the Moorings, the beach is continuous with lots of room for everyone. The round trip is seven miles if you walk the whole distance from Clam Pass Park to Doctors Pass and back again. So, that walk should allow you to enjoy plenty of good food in the surrounding restaurants!
If you prefer a quiet bike ride, you can start at Clam Pass Park and ride Gulf Shore Boulevard south to Lowdermilk Park, one of the best beachfront parks in Naples. The almost 5-mile bike ride will take you through some of the beachfront areas of Park Shore and the Moorings, with abundant flowers in bloom. Parking is often a challenge at Lowdermilk Park during the busy season, so living in Park Shore allows you to walk or bike to this popular beachfront park.
Even further south along Gulf Shore Boulevard South, you will arrive at 5th Avenue South in Old Naples. Still not too long of a ride at almost 6 miles, 5th Avenue gives you many options for refreshments or shopping. The best thing about the ride is that it is on very quiet roads with bike lanes so that you can take the whole family on the trip with you.
Plenty of Shopping Nearby
There are many excellent shops and restaurants within walking distance of Park Shore. The Village Shops at Venetian Bay is a very short walk at the corner of Gulf Shore Boulevard and Park Shore Drive on both sides of the road overlooking sparkling Venetian Bay. The Village has six restaurants, all with spectacular views of Venetian Bay. Pick the type of cuisine you enjoy from sushi, seafood, pizza, and pub food and then sit back and enjoy your libation overlooking the Bay. Watch for dolphins playing in the quiet waters of Venetian Bay while you relax.
The Village Shops also offer an eclectic array of over 45 stores with waterfront views; men's, women's, and children's fashions, art galleries, gifts for the home, and dazzling jewelry stores. William Phelps Custom Jeweler is an independent family-run business with over 30 years of experience in the Naples area. Two goldsmiths will repair, design, or renew your favorite jewelry.
If you feel like walking just a bit further, the Waterside Shops are waiting for you. Waterside Shops is an upscale outdoor shopping and dining extravaganza with everything you can imagine you need or want. Anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, the luxury escalates from there. Lush landscaping and water features surround over 50 of the world's most stunning boutiques and retail stores. You can even test drive a Tesla while you are shopping! If that kind of transportation is not your thing, what about trying out a Peloton bike to help you get in shape? The Apple Store is always very busy; Tiffany's, Louis Vuitton, Tori Burch, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Gucci are some other stores you can browse. If these stores sound too rich for your taste, don't worry, there is still something for the more modest budget. Ann Taylor, Chico's, Pottery Barn, and White House/Black Market are also available to enjoy.
Of course, no shopping trip is complete without some refreshments, and Waterside Shops is happy to oblige with California Pizza Kitchen, BrickTop's, and Brio Tuscan Grille, to name a few.
From January to March each year, Waterside Shops offer live music and mimosas every Sunday in the main courtyard. Relax and be entertained by the music, surrounded by blue sky, palm trees, and dramatic water features. You can walk from your Park Shore home with the family dog, as pets are welcome in all outdoor areas at Waterside Shops and even in some of the stores.
What Kind of Homes Does Park Shore Offer?
With such a fabulous location so close to the beach, shopping, and restaurants, you are probably wondering what type of home might be perfect for you in the Park Shore area.
There are a great variety of homes from which to choose. Needless to say, the beachfront high-rise condos and the single-family homes with easy access to the beach are the highest-priced homes. However, some less expensive buildings are still part of the Park Shore area but further from the beach. The low-rise buildings closer to US 41 and built in the early 1970s are the most affordable Park Shore homes. Ranging from $400,000 and up, depending on whether they are updated, they still give you access to the beach and the great location of Park Shore.
The low-rise buildings on the east side of Gulf Shore Boulevard offer views of Venetian Bay and provide an easy walk across the street to the beach. These buildings offer a wonderful location close to the beach for under $1 million. Some believe the bay side is more interesting since you can watch the boats and dolphins all day, and, at night, you will have lovely views of the twinkling lights from other buildings.
Between the beach and US 41, you can find single-family homes ranging in price from under $2 million to $35 million. Currently, a new home of over 6600 square feet is under construction in place of an original house and is for sale for around $16 million. As is true with many older homes, the lot size is over one-third of an acre, allowing a wonderfully large footprint for a new home.
You cannot miss the gulf-front condo buildings along Gulf Shore Boulevard for the ultimate in spectacular views. Each building has its unique style and offers you the best in beachfront living. Some high-rises allow pets and rentals, and others don't, so the rules and regulations of the building are very important information. Many of these buildings rely on their entryways and lobbies to attract people to them, so you can expect very ornate décor when you enter a building. However, some prefer a lower-key look, which may also be more to your taste. Floor number is very important also. Do you want to hear the surf when you open your windows in the evening and don't mind some trees or landscaping blocking some of your views? Or do you want a higher floor to have an unobstructed view of the sunset and watch for that green flash?
Which Park Shore Home is Right for You?
These prices and types of homes can seem very overwhelming, but don't worry, you are not alone in your search for the perfect home in Park Shore. Scott Hansen and his team are very knowledgeable about the Park Shore area and will ensure they find the ideal home for you and your budget. Contact the Scott Hansen Group with a list of your wants and desires. They can even show you examples of listed homes and perhaps narrow it down to a certain building or small community within Park Shore. There is usually a good variety of homes for sale in the Park Shore area so you may quickly find the one that's right for you and your family. Are you concerned about the pet or rental restrictions in the building you love? Don't worry; Scott and his team will make certain that the rules cover everything you need. Once they know what you are looking for, they will be in touch immediately if something becomes available that suits your needs.
Scott has been in the Real Estate business in southwest Florida for over ten years and prides himself on his position as one of the top 3% of Realtors in Southwest Florida. He has trained his team to work with customers the way he does. You will never have to be concerned that you might miss the perfect home with the Scott Hansen Group on your side. So sit back, relax, and know your Park Shore home purchase is in excellent hands.
Are you thinking of selling your Park Shore home? Scott and his team excel in selling their listings quickly and for the best price. In addition, Scott brings his over 30 years of expertise in the marketing field to his real estate business and offers marketing strategies tailored to each listing. With their abundance of knowledge of Park Shore and the real estate business, The Scott Hansen Group will take excellent care of you.
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or a seasoned buyer, The Scott Hansen Real Estate Group handles every transaction with a high level of understanding, skill and care. The Scott Hansen Group makes the process of selling or buying a home a smooth and satisfying experience.
