In an area known for excess, there is one thing we are dearly lacking—yard space. And that’s a big part of the appeal of Naples’ Pine Ridge Estates neighborhood: many of the properties stretch out over an acre and are right in the heart of Naples.
“It all starts with choosing the right piece of land,” says Richard Donnelly of ROI Naples, which developed the property. Here, the ROI team knocked it out of the park—the home’s greenspace could easily double as a community space.
Richard and his wife, Linda, kept the same siting as the previous home on the lot when building the new Brutalist-meets-farmhouse abode. The modern manse sits on the left, with a sports court (tennis, basketball, volleyball) and a detached guest house within view out front. Out back, there’s a sunken firepit, a play area for kids and a pool with a cabana.
Everywhere you look, there’s ample vegetation. “I wanted to incorporate the existing old-growth trees, like lychee, black olive, tamarind and oak, into the design,” Richard says. New landscaping was designed to complement the inherited specimens, with evergreen podocarpus, ficus for shade, and a perimeter made of areca palms. Zoysia grass makes for a low-maintenance carpet and completes the lush, mature botanical experience not often found in this area.
But lest you think some standout trees are all this property has to offer, a quick trip around back leaves jaws agape from the plethora of outdoor lounging options. Stone patios and slate gray stepping stones connect the fully stocked, indoor-outdoor lanai with a sunken fire pit—flanked by two water features— and a pool cabana, equipped with a bar, changing room, powder bath and an outdoor shower. Being in Florida, the home doesn’t skimp on its pool. In addition to the cabana, with a 12-foot bar, the splash pad has a swim lane, cold-water plunge pool, sun shelf and hot tub.
Everything’s illuminated with a sophisticated exterior lighting package, intentionally planned to make the entire estate shine. The suite of perimeter lighting, tree uplights and modern sconces is all conveniently controlled by phone. To emphasize the home’s striking architecture, the team placed sconces low on the exterior walls, creating a visually dynamic look that casts light up the facade and downward toward the landscaping.
Still, for Linda, the backyard takes top billing. “The sunken fire pit area is a standout,” she says. While most properties have the pool directly out back, this 1.23-acre estate has its pool off to the side. “It gave us the opportunity to have a unique feature [off the lanai],” she says. The firepit was engineered for relaxing and socializing—fountain features at ear level mitigate any noise from the busy road nearby. And, the set-up makes for a stunning visual moment when looking out from inside the home, with its Italian slate steps lit by LED ropes that set the entire section off in a spellbinding glow. The effect makes for a tranquil and luxurious guest-magnet during gatherings.
The massive lanai also gets plenty of use. The space essentially doubles the great room’s footprint, thanks to the 32-foot expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass doors that can disappear into their pockets. Remote-controlled screen panels at the outer perimeter enclose the cypress-clad lanai to keep bugs at bay. And, an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue, pellet grill, refrigerator, and teak and porcelain dining table and chairs from Casa Italia in Naples, help elevate the definition of outdoor entertaining.
Those wanting to stay alfresco after dinner can choose from two Casa Italia matching teak sofas wrapped in high-performance fabric and flanking a RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) coffee table in the center. A counter in gray Quartzite—matching a bar in the great room—is a fun place to post up on game days, especially given the lanai’s beer keg and 75-inch TV. Let the good times roll.
