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Green Tree Center getting extreme makeover in North Naples




A rendering of the renovated outdoor dining features and a proposed steakhouse at Green Tree Center in North Naples. LOTUS ARCHITECTURE

A rendering of the renovated outdoor dining features and a proposed steakhouse at Green Tree Center in North Naples. LOTUS ARCHITECTURE

Q: I noticed they are revamping the Greentree plaza at Airport and Immokalee. Do you know what’s going in the old Sweetbay? — Kristine Kline Vander- Horst, Naples A: Although some new features and restaurants are planned for Green Tree Center in North Naples, the supermarket space vacated eight years ago by Sweetbay remains without a tenant — for now.

“We’re, basically, in discussion with various tenants who might want to occupy a part of that space. We’re looking for the right fit,” said Jack Crifasi, president of Crifasi Real Estate Inc.

After avoiding the option of dividing the former supermarket for years, Mr. Crifasi now is talking about the possibility of splitting it to create a 32,000-squarefoot unit for a grocer and another 19,000-square-foot space. “We are in discussion with two separate tenants. One is grocery related,” he said. “The interest level of the entire center so significantly has exploded.”

A rendering of the renovated entrance and retail spaces off Airport-Pulling Road at Green Tree Center in North Naples. LOTUS ARCHITECTURE

A rendering of the renovated entrance and retail spaces off Airport-Pulling Road at Green Tree Center in North Naples. LOTUS ARCHITECTURE

That’s because the center’s management is creating a new ambiance there that’s getting noticed.

“We changed the center to more of a lifestyle center instead of just retail,” Mr. Crifasi said. “Obviously, we have completely changed the entire look of the property from Mediterranean style to a coastal-contemporary look. We are very specific to what we want here and we are going to wait until we find the tenants that we want here. We are being very selective.”

Mr. Crifasi even knows what specific types of cuisines he wants to see in the three new restaurant spaces he plans to add to the center’s mix this fall. “We are looking for a steakhouse, a seafood restaurant and a French restaurant,” he said, noting that all the spaces will have expanded outdoor dining.

Covered outdoor seating with water fountains and fire pits are already being added to the existing restaurant lineup that stretches from Boston Beer Garden to Joey D’s Restaurant and Bar. Scoops Ice Cream & Acai Bowls just opened in a local dining row that also includes LuLu B’s Diner, Black Forest Restaurant and Em-On’s Thai Café.

NCH Healthcare System is undergoing a multimillion-dollar makeover inside and out at Green Tree Center in North Naples. Lotus Architecture LOTUS ARCHITECTURE

NCH Healthcare System is undergoing a multimillion-dollar makeover inside and out at Green Tree Center in North Naples. Lotus Architecture LOTUS ARCHITECTURE

The architectural remodeling of Green Tree Center’s façade began last year on its Airport-Pulling Road leg and is finishing up on its Immokalee Road leg. It’s truly a major facelift for a shopping center that was mostly built in the late ‘80s on more than 20 acres.

In addition to the new look, two businesses in the center are undergoing their own extreme makeovers. The Mobil gas station at the Airport entrance was recently razed for a proposed new 7-Eleven convenience store and station. NCH Healthcare System is spending millions on its multifunctional facility at the other end of the center, Mr. Crifasi said.

“They (NCH) are going to do something very special there,” he said. “Everything they are doing there is going to be first-class.”

Plans show renovation to the more than 40,000-square-foot NCH Wellness Center and Outpatient Rehabilitation Center will create a shared entry with a new reception area, lobby space, occupational health clinic, and Pilates and spin studios. Locker, massage and lounge areas also are being renovated.

A rendering of the renovated entrance and retail spaces off Airport-Pulling Road at Green Tree Center in North Naples. LOTUS ARCHITECTURE

A rendering of the renovated entrance and retail spaces off Airport-Pulling Road at Green Tree Center in North Naples. LOTUS ARCHITECTURE

New homesite

Q: They are clearing land on the east side of Collier Boulevard just north of VeronaWalk and the nursery up to the trailer park. Any idea what’s happening? — Bill Jacobi, South Naples

A: Construction has begun on a future development of single-family residences by D.R. Horton home construction company on more than 106 acres along Collier Boulevard south of Physicians Regional Medical Center and immediately north of the VeronaWalk gated community in South Naples.

The 251-home Tamarindo community will be built on a large forested area north of Sabal Palm Road and south of Naples RV Resort and Johns and Amity roads. The irregular-shaped parcels wrap around a plant nursery and some existing homes in that rural area.

D.R. Horton is building Tamarindo, a community of single-family homes, on more than 106 acres along Collier Boulevard south of Physicians Regional Medical Center and north of the VeronaWalk gated community. Contributed

D.R. Horton is building Tamarindo, a community of single-family homes, on more than 106 acres along Collier Boulevard south of Physicians Regional Medical Center and north of the VeronaWalk gated community. Contributed

Tampa-based Forestar Real Estate Group bought the property previously known as Rockedge planned unit development in September for more than $13 million, property records show. After petitioned by D.R. Horton, Collier County commissioners agreed in July to establish the Tamarindo Community Development District. The board approved Tamarindo’s final plat in September.

Proposed plans show a community of cul-de-sacs to be built in three phases, each around separate lakes. The first phase will have 102 lots off of Sabal Palm Road. The second phase will have 78 lots and the third phase 71 lots, plans show. The infrastructure construction timeline is estimated for completion in 2023.

More than 24 acres on the eastern edge of the development is designated as a preserve or conservation area, site plans show. A future recreational center is planned at the entrance off of Sabal Palms Road.

“Tim Aten Knows” is published each week in Naples Florida Weekly. Mr. Aten is managing editor of Gulfshore Business magazine. Email questions to TimAten- Knows@floridaweekly.com. Follow @ TimAtenKnows on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

“Tim Aten Knows” is published each week in Naples Florida Weekly. Mr. Aten is managing editor of Gulfshore Business magazine. Email questions to TimAten- Knows@floridaweekly.com. Follow @ TimAtenKnows on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Excavation and blasting permits were granted last month for lakes and underground utilities on the property. The 90-day permit granted Jan. 20 allows the blasting of 7,500 holes, 350 per day, by Florida Energy Services Inc.

By the way, tamarindo, also known as tamarind, is a tropical fruit that has a brown pod filled with juicy pulp. Tamarindo also is a town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. ¦

6 responses to “Green Tree Center getting extreme makeover in North Naples”

  1. Phil Strengholt says:

    Tim Aten is the best! No one can beat him for simple, clear, informative updates about what’s going on in our areas. I used to really enjoy his column in the Naples Daily News but now I aggressively drive from one outlet to another hoping to find a rack that has the newest Florida Weekly!

  2. Libby says:

    Are they getting rid of that awful olive oil store? What a waste of space

  3. Shirley Blair says:

    So glad to see the Great Improvements! Having shopped and ate there for many years looks great !
    Way over do .

  4. Gaylord Parry says:

    Tamarindo Community 251 houses, at least 300-400 more cars on the road. Collier Commissioners must be getting some good $$$$$ for approving every single community plan.

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