London Bay assembles award-winning team for new Port Royal estate at 4395 Gordon Drive
London Bay Homes is nearing completion of two custom single-family estate homes on Cutlass Cove in Port Royal, transforming luxury residential offerings in Naples’ most coveted neighborhood.
Hand-selected by London Bay Homes’ president and CEO Mark Wilson, the Port Royal homesite at 4395 Gordon Drive is considered a boater’s paradise. The site was specifically chosen because of its ideal location along the coves and back bays of Naples Bay and quick access to the Gulf of Mexico, along with proximity to the Naples Airport and shopping and dining of 5th Avenue and 3rd Street South.
“Imagine living close to downtown strolling the streets and dining at The Continental while listening to live music under the stars. It’s no doubt one of the region’s most alluring places,” said Wilson. “This special piece of property, with its incredible wide water views, called for a very special home.”
Wilson assembled his “A-Team” – John Cooney of award-winning Stofft Cooney Architects, Romanza Interior Design’s Jennifer Stevens and Naples landscape architect Koby Kirwin of Exteriors by Koby Kirwin – and challenged them to create a home design that would surpass all expectations.
“I love the ‘push and pull’ within a team as they work together to achieve the very best design,” he added.
The result was a custom estate home with an open great room plan that showcases views of Cutlass Cove and the greens of mangroves on Keewaydin Island just across the water. A private dock – perfect for a 29-foot boat – provides Gulf access through nearby Gordon Pass.
Boasting 4,648 square foot of living space and four en-suite bedrooms within two stories, the home features West Indies-Coastal architecture and interiors that define a new level of luxury living.
“When you are part of a team like this, the result is a phenomenal end product,” said Cooney, who has partnered with London Bay Homes on several projects. “London Bay Homes really puts effort in to ensuring homes are well designed not only from a floor plan perspective, but also in the construction details.”
The home’s sophisticated design blends honed stone and wood plank flooring, accent panels of exotic woods like sapele, anigre and wenge, and distinctive reglet details on walls and door frames to create a uniquely contemporary style that unifies the foyer, great room, wine cellar and study.
“One of my favorite spaces is the large great room, which offers two sitting areas for formal or casual gatherings,” said Stevens. “The light coming off the cove in the morning fills this room with an ethereal feel for enjoying coffee on the sectional or gathering in the evening on the four smaller scale lounge chairs for cocktails and conversation while taking in the sunset.”
Located off the great room are matte lacquer-finished pocket doors that open to the study. “On the opposite side of the great room is the kitchen, which features a mix of white and high-gloss lacquer walnut cabinetry, giving it a contemporary look,” Steven said. “So, too, does the cantilevered top of the center island, which is so large it seats at least four and features a five-foot galley sink with double faucets.” Additional features include glass-door cabinetry, full height quartzite backsplash, microwave and steam ovens, double Sub-Zero refrigerators and freezer drawers. It incorporates a butler’s bar offering a sink and refrigerated drawers.
Lighting design paints rooms in different moods, highlights art and complements the airiness of a wood and tempered glass staircase.
Stevens’ interior palette eschews the expected white-on-white in favor of neutral taupes and ivories and accents of green and tan inspired by Kirwin’s lush landscape design.
“One of the distinct moments I had visiting the site took place during an early morning visit on my way into the office,” said Wilson. “There was an incredible sunrise; I knew that the design of the home had to be created in such a way that the sunlight coming up over the water would be the first view you had waking up. The Romanza team came up with a concept to have the bed in the master suite face a wall of glass sliding doors showcasing the cove and mangroves. It’s the perfect way to start any day.”
Stevens custom designed a chenille-upholstered wall-mounted headboard and incorporated motorized draperies that can be accessed from the bed. The room features a palette of soft blues, blue-grays, charcoal and tan tones and simple patterned fabric.
Spanning half of the second floor, the master suite also offers a large double-entry closet featuring Poliform custom cabinetry with built-in dressers and mirrors, and dual bathrooms.
“One of the master bath suites is finished with luxury marble and high-gloss cabinetry and Calcutta Borghini countertops, along with a walk-through shower to the separate soaking tub overlooking a breathtaking view of Cutlass Cove,” said Stevens.
The second bath offers rich granite countertops, floating wenge wood cabinetry and finely veined limestone surfaces.
“The thought behind the master suite’s dual bathrooms was to create the feeling of a luxury resort,” Stevens said. “That feeling continues on the master terrace with a chaise and a collection of contemporary furnishings by Dedon. It’s also captured in the finishes and design of the pool, water features and spa, the secluded firepit, and the contemporary style of outdoor furnishings.”
Adding to the resort-style ambience of the second floor is a full morning kitchen, equipped with built-in microwave, espresso machine and refrigerator, and a stacking washer and dryer.
The second-floor VIP suite offers a custom, king-sized bed and nightstand featuring walnut and etched-steel metal finishes, and a sitting area. Its palette includes soft yellows, green and gray fabrics and subtle blue-green patterns. Its private full bath has a frameless shower with a cantilevered partial waterfall seat, stone flooring, rift-cut oak cabinetry, a white-gray countertop, and glossy linear-patterned tile backsplash.
Furniture and fabrics in the second upstairs guest room provide contrasts with white and creamy white tones, dark woods and rich textures. The guest bath has a charcoal vanity with waterfall countertop.
An additional ground-floor guest room includes a private full bathroom and contemporary styled built-in wardrobe, dresser and shelves with wood and lacquer finishes.
Enhancing the indoor-outdoor experience, sliding glass doors downstairs open to a large living area with seating and dining space, an outdoor kitchen with two grills, and a freestanding island bar with casual seating.
“The home features a more garden type of pool and backyard. It’s intimate, with a series of smaller spaces that gather around a pool complemented by the backdrop of Cutlass Cove and Keewaydin Island,” said Kirwin. “The person who buys this home is choosing South Florida. So, when they walk outside, we want them to feel like they’ve bought paradise.”
A resort-worthy custom pool with in-water benches and a built-in spa with two spillways leads tothe private dock. Nearby, comfortable chairs are collected around the fire pit for evening stargazing.
“The home offers immediate eligibility into the Port Royal Club and the Cutlass Cove Private Beach Club,” said Toby Cloutier, sales executive for London Bay Homes.
The 4395 Gordon Drive model will be completed this spring. For more information about the home or additional Naples Collection opportunities, call Toby Cloutier at 239-280-7367 or visit www.LondonBay.com.