A prominent Naples resident, developer and entrepreneur is the first to close on a condo residence at the new Naples Beach Club.
Gulf Coast International Properties in Naples announced the “milestone sale” to Phil McCabe on June 1. The price: More than $20 million, according to MLS (Multiple Listing Service) statistics.
The condos are but one part of the mixed-use development that features a newly minted, 216-room Four Seasons Resort, built to five-star standards.
Living in the upscale development offers a premium Four Seasons-managed and inspired lifestyle.
In a statement, McCabe said: “Naples has always held a special place in my life, both personally and professionally. To be part of the next chapter at the Naples Beach Club is incredibly meaningful to me. This property represents everything I value: history, quality, and a deep connection to the coastal lifestyle. I’m proud to be the first to close and excited to enjoy this extraordinary community with my family for years to come.”
The Naples Beach Club replaced the landmark Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, located at 801 Gulf Shore Boulevard North. The hotel closed in May 2021 and later came crumbling down, paving the way for redevelopment on a 125-acre coastal property.
Much of the property has been permanently preserved as open space − including an 18-hole golf course. It spans both sides of Gulf Shore Boulevard North.
Residential and commercial development is ongoing.
The former hotel was originally established by the Watkins family in 1946. The family owned and operated it for 75 years.
Moving day will be next month
In a text message, McCabe, who was traveling back to the United States from an overseas trip on Monday, described his new residence as a “beach house,” overlooking the Gulf. It’s on the first floor of a seven-story building, sitting closest to the new resort.
McCabe shared that he plans to move into his new home next month after the interior work has been completed.
Tim Savage, the principal of Gulf Coast International Properties, represented McCabe in the purchase, which closed on May 5.
The Naples Beach Club development will have 153 residences. That includes 58 beachfront residences, along with 95 residences overlooking the redesigned golf course.
Amenities for residents include multiple Gulf-view pools and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Residents will also have easy access to the golf course and a two-level luxury spa, along with other dining and entertainment offerings open to hotel guests and the public.
The community includes a private residents’ club with beachside and poolside dining, a tennis center with six Har-Tru courts, and gathering spots designed for relaxation and social connection.
The development’s Market Square is open to all, offering dining and entertainment.
More about Naples Beach Club’s first resident
One of the visionaries behind the revitalization of Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples, McCabe sold his remaining commercial property on the street in September 2025.
Over the years, McCabe developed and owned many landmark properties in downtown Naples, including the iconic Inn on Fifth, which he built and operated for more than 25 years, along with the Club Level Suites at Inn on Fifth that came later, across the street.
His portfolio also once included the Inn of Naples and the luxury mixed-use Residences at 5th & 5th in downtown Naples.
McCabe began his career in the hospitality business at the age of 27, when he invested $25,000 in a bankrupt Maine hotel, then turned it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
He remains one of the largest property owners in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Closer to home, McCabe has partnered with his sons, Philip and Joseph McCabe, to develop The Carnelian, a 70-suite luxury hotel and private members club in North Naples.
The hotel and club, located at 5400 Trail Boulevard, across the street from the Waterside Shops, are under construction, with both slated for completion in 2027.
In the press release about McCabe’s purchase of a home at the Naples Beach Club, it was described as reflecting his continued confidence in and commitment to Naples.
McCabe put down his deposit on Jan. 31, 2021, before construction had even begun on the first residences.
Construction on the residences began in 2022 not long after the Naples Beach Hotel was demolished.
Laura Layden is a senior business and government reporter. Reach her by email at laura.layden@naplesnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Well-known developer Phil McCabe buys first home at Naples Beach Club
Reporting by Laura Layden, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
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