CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COASTAL VILLAGE – SALTLEAF ON ESTERO BAY – WITH GOLF COURSE GROUNDBREAKING
Saltleaf Golf Preserve, to be one of the finest public courses in the U.S. designed by golf champion Raymond Floyd, serves as Phase 1 of the 500-acre, master-planned community of Saltleaf.
NAPLES, Fla. ─ Coming to one of Southwest Florida’s last great stretches of available waterfront is Saltleaf on Estero Bay, a 500-acre coastal village set to create a new sense of place and inspire connections between people and its natural surroundings. London Bay Development Group – a diversified developer in the luxury market – announced today the commencement of construction for the master-planned community, marked by the groundbreaking of its first phase, Saltleaf Golf Preserve. Designed by legendary golfer Raymond Floyd, it will be one of the finest public golf courses in the U.S. when completed in 2023.
Situated next to Bonita Springs and just north of Naples, Saltleaf enjoys nearly a mile of frontage on Estero Bay, the state’s first aquatic preserve. Upon its full vision, it will be home to the newly-conceptualized golf course the stretches 7,000 yards, as well as The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay, Saltleaf Marina, chef-driven dining locales, additional future residential offerings, and many other special experiences.
Floyd, a World Golf Hall of Famer who won numerous PGA tournaments, including four majors, originally designed the course as Raptor Bay Golf Club in 2001. He emerged from retirement to, once again, reimagine the property with colleague Harry Bowers, in what he calls a “passion project.”
The new Saltleaf Golf Preserve will introduce an 18-hole championship course, along with a brand new nine-hole short course. The golf course will combine fun playability and challenge for all ages and levels. Fresh design details include the unique facet of having no bunkers, utilizing the natural contours of the land; water elements, a clubhouse and family-friendly activities. Maintaining the highest standards, the course will be operated by Troon, the world-wide leader in golf and club management.
The development milestone, which signifies the beginning of Saltleaf’s construction activity, was celebrated with an official groundbreaking ceremony on June 14th. Guests, including notable community members and municipality leaders, joined at the former driving range with London Bay Development Group and Floyd, while enjoying light bites and learning about the abundant destination experiences that await.
“We are extremely proud to see Saltleaf come alive, as we embark on the initial step toward creating a village that is welcoming and serves as an ecosystem of its own, where so many will one day call it home,” said Mark Wilson, CEO of London Bay Development Group. “As part of this magnificent coastal lifestyle being infused in all aspects of our vision, Saltleaf Golf Preserve is reborn for the next era of golfing, inviting beginners and advanced players alike to this contemporary interpretation of a course.”
“In redesigning Saltleaf Golf Preserve, we sought to maintain tradition, because of our history with this course and in celebration of the natural habitat surrounding the golfing experience here,” added Floyd. “I am honored to continue my legacy through this high-quality golf course and look forward to sharing the design with all for fun and enjoyment.”
The village of Saltleaf will present a new confluence of home and town. Neighborhood trails will lead to beautiful destinations to explore nearby activities. Saltleaf Marina will provide thoughtful new access to wondrous water activities and boating from Estero Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. The 72-slip marina will be set adjacent to a five-star restaurant and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay.
Only 20 minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport, Saltleaf is in a priceless location near the friendly town of Bonita Springs, with its sugar-white sand beaches, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, and a short drive from Naples.
London Bay Development Group focuses on diversified development of residential and senior living communities in the luxury market, with an emphasis on cutting-edge design and a customer-centric approach. From identifying premium raw land opportunities to creating new communities and luxury high-rises conceptualized by the experienced land development team, London Bay Development Group is setting a new standard for luxury living in some of Southwest Florida’s premier locations.
For more information, visit www.saltleaf.com
