May 2006

Aqua Announces Release of South Tower as Demand Far Exceeds Sales Forecast

By Jennifer Marko

In a time when many developers are consistently pulling communities from the market, Aqua at Pelican Isle Yacht Club continues to enjoy tremendous success. Sales upwards of $85 million since the community's north tower was released onto the market in February have prompted development company EcoGroup, Inc. to take a major step forward. They have announced the release of Aqua's 32-residence south tower more than six months ahead of the original sales schedule. Construction of the community is scheduled to begin this summer.

The south tower will offer four distinct floor plans: four penthouses ranging from 3,750 – 7000 square feet, one 4,850 square foot marina villa, three 3,825 square feet grand estates and 24 estate residences ranging from 3,750 – 4,200 square feet. Prices in Aqua's south tower will start around 15 percent higher than the opening day prices for the north tower, with residences ranging from $2.3 million to nearly $7 million in the new offering.

The design of Aqua's south tower residences will mirror those in the north tower, including the construction of a rooftop garden and sky lounge on the 9th floor. The main difference in the two is in the number of condominiums in each: the north tower will have 48 while the south tower will have 32. Both residential towers have ready access to Aqua's generous amenities, which includes a private movie theater, spa and fitness center, grand social salon, billiards room, three guest suites, catering kitchen and several spacious entertainment areas. And because of the location of the community on Wiggins Pass, both residential towerswill enjoy spectacular views of Aqua's private, 29-slip marina and the Gulf of Mexico beyond.

EcoGroup President Ed Oelschlaeger attributes Aqua's success to having "a total package" for home owners. Aqua will be situated just north of Pelican Isle Yacht Club, a longstanding Naples institution also developed by EcoGroup. Residents of Aqua will receive an equity membership to the yacht club, which is one of the area's most exclusive clubs offering fine dining, a bustling nautical lounge and a private marina with ready Gulf access.

He points out that combining the offerings of the two environmentally friendly communities and the Yacht Club will create a resort campus lifestyle where new homeowners will live, dine and be entertained without having to leave home. "Many developments are introduced to the market and never get off the ground," he said. "With Aqua, we have a master plan for an exclusive resort lifestyle, and home buyers can see that. I anticipate that the early south tower release will further excite the Naples super luxury market."

One major factor in Aqua's sales success may well be the sophisticated approach of The Bentley Sales Group. If Aqua's luxurious $1 million sales gallery, complete with two stunning water features, does not catch their attention, sales associates offer guests an impressive package which allows them to experience life at Aqua for a day.

Guests begin their day with an overview of the community in Aqua's 3,000 square foot sales gallery and then are whisked away by private car to view the future site of the community off Vanderbilt Drive, and the afternoon includes a waterside site tour from Wiggins Pass in Aqua's boat, the "Aqua-tini."

Going beyond the usual tour of a scaled model and reviewing a sales brochure has set Aqua apart even with realtors, according to Bentley's Vice President, Jill Rogers. "We frequently hear from realtors that their clients were set to buy in another community until they had the Aqua experience," she said. "We have a superior product, and we present it in a unique way with no sales incentives necessary."

Desirable residences remain available in Aqua's north tower, with prices ranging from $2.5 to more than $6 million. Aqua's residences are 3 and 4 bedroom homes with a study and range from 3,800 square feet to penthouses with more than 6,000 square feet of air conditioned living space. A limited number of guest level cottages and marina cabanas are offered for sale to allow Aqua residents to take advantage of the waterfront paradise.