P
ort Royal, a secluded corner of Naples, Florida, has emerged as one of the country's most exclusive neighborhoods. Pastel-toned mansions line man-made peninsulas, and sales are setting records rivaling those in Palm Beach and Malibu.
In February, a bayfront property with new construction sold for $85 million, the highest sum ever paid for a non-beachfront house in Collier County. A three-parcel compound on 15 acres also sold off-market for $225 million, securing the most expensive residential deal in Florida history and second place nationally.
The neighborhood's origins date back to the 1950s when developer John Glenn Sample envisioned a luxury waterfront community carved out of swampland. "He was creating a statement, a sanctuary for those who shared his drive to do what others thought impossible," said Maggie Ives, a global real estate adviser at Premier Sotheby's International Realty.
Today, Port Royal boasts roughly 500-600 custom homes in British West Indies or Island Colonial styles, with manicured grounds and native palms creating a private friendly botanical retreat. Properties often feature private boat docks, resort pools, outdoor pavilions, and wine cellars.
The median sale price stood at $16.4 million in June, while waterfront residences typically range from $10 million to $30 million. Larger estates can reach $50 million or more. Agents expect annual appreciation of 4% to 7% through 2026 due to limited inventory, tax advantages, and global demand.
Unique lots and homesites will yield a higher demand and price, according to Lauren Brooker of Compass. Ives expects Port Royal values to climb at least 4% to 5% annually through 2026, with gains potentially as high as 6% to 7%. The scheduled reopening of the Port Royal Club in 2026 could drive an additional 5% to 10% boost.
While supply has loosened slightly, overall values have surged 60% in the past five years, placing Port Royal alongside Palm Beach, Malibu, and the Hamptons as a premier enclave for ultrawealthy buyers.
