Who would have thought that the original two square miles of marshland in Naples, FL purchased by John Glenn Sample in 1938, known as Port Royal, would one day become the Priciest Neighborhood in America? It would seem that Mr. Sample has delivered on his ambition, "To make Port Royal the finest place in the world to live".
Along the Gulf of Mexico from 21st Avenue South down to Gordon Pass and East to the Naples Bay, you can certainly enjoy the finest – and the priciest – living in the country, which has now been confirmed by the Robb Report. Based on a compilation of median price data from four real estate companies plus a comparison of price points in the top 15 highest-ranking markets, the Robb Report came up with a top 10 lineup of the most expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., and Port Royal took the number one spot.
A majority of the homes in Port Royal are situated along the water with private beaches and wide, deep-water canals giving direct access to the Gulf. These man-made peninsulas were engineered in the early 50's with the help of Port Royal's founder, Mr. Sample, and took many years and millions of dollars to complete – $3.5 million of Mr. Sample's personal funds to be exact.
There are currently 47 active listings in Port Royal ranging in price from $3.2 million to $49.5 million. A total of 38 homes were sold in the last 12 months with the most expensive property closing at $48.8 million in June. The Port Royal Club offers an additional draw to the neighborhood and includes gourmet dining options, private beach access, a beach-side pool, fitness center, spa services, tennis facilities, and a line up of social events. The demand for this area is fairly consistent with the ultra-wealthy often not feeling the same fluctuations as the rest of the real estate market.
Port Royal was named after the 17th Century Jamaican city which became famous as a destination for privateers and smugglers. The streets today still carry names reminiscent of that era including Rum Row, Gin Lane, and Galleon Drive.
There is no doubt that Port Royal defines luxury living in Southwest Florida. It's a paradise and concept that has endured for eight decades, giving local residents no surprise that it's leading the nation as the priciest neighborhood, and the finest place in the world to live.
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