About Bonita Springs' The Colony Golf & Bay Club

Just one of the terrific amenities at The Colony... Pelican Landing's private island beach park is located on 34 acres of Big Hickory Island with nearly one mile of white, pristine beach. A private boat shuttle takes you to the island from the Coconut Point Marina seven days a week.

The Colony Golf & Bay Club is an exclusive and private enclave located adjacent to the northern end of Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs.

The Colony provides an alluring lifestyle that is second to none. Set on over 800 acres of some of Southwest Florida's most beautiful scenery, the Mediterranean-influenced community offers everything from concierge services to championship golf, spa service and fine dining.

From the exquisitely carved fountains at both entry ways to The Colony and down its cobblestone streets you'll find nestled amongst acres of pristine natural preserves the Mediterranean inspired architecturally award winning custom single family estate homes, spacious villas, and stunning condominiums. Winding nearer to Estero Bay - the luxury towers feature dramatic panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Tuscan inspired, artistically designed, and abounding in exclusivity, The Colony is a tribute to sumptuousness!

Golf Enthusiasts will enjoy access to the 18-hole course that meanders through emerald fairways, to the 28,000 square foot Colony Country Club featuring fine dining, wine room, men's and women's lounges with lockers, library, and pro shop. At the 18th hole you'll find the fitness center with exclusive spa services, cardiovascular weight and exercise room, steam, tennis shop, and pool. Personal trainers are on-staff to provide direction to all members. At the Tennis Center there are two pros for lessons or instructions to sharpen your skills. You and your guests may also enjoy the private Bay Club for alfresco and casual dining where every table promises a view of stunning Estero Bay and the Gulf.

If relaxation is your theme for the day, take the private beach shuttle to Pelican Landing's 32 acre barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico offering nearly a mile of white sandy beach with chaise lounges, towel service, and bath houses.

If The Colony is calling your name and you require more info please don't hesitate to contact me

High Rise Living: Amenity-rich & Maintenance-free

Why do people love living in a high rise?

The high rise makes a perfect second home. The high rises found in The Colony, for example, are designed specifically for people who don't want the aggravations typically associated with homeownership. Live-in managers mind the day to day operations of the building including the amenities. And most are staffed with privacy officers who receive residents, their guests, vendors, and mail while monitoring the all the shared spaces around the building and in the garage. High rise dwellers worry not about lawns to mow, pools to clean, and when something breaks, there's an instant fix.

Typically once a month, staff is directed to check all the mechanicals in each residence confirming everything is operational and no problems have arisen. A cleaning and maintenance schedule is strictly followed for exterior windows and common areas so that the building is consistently operating at its optimum and always looking its best.

High rise residents are informed in advance of the fees associated with high rise living which is itemized within the annual budget. Fees also include insurance which typically covers what happens outside the unit walls and includes the overall building structure. Residents typically buy a content insurance policy, covering furniture, art, clothing, etc., within their residence.

We are very fortunate to have great building managers at The Colony high rises. They are adept at building policy set forth by the owners, protecting owners, among other things, by prohibiting entry to vendors who are not properly licensed. Building manager's oversee staff who is responsible for logging in all who enter the building, report any abuses to common areas and to hold in the highest regard the privacy of each resident. High rise residents who are "up north" in their primary residences are encouraged to communicate with the building managers when they are planning to arrive and depart the building, lending an additional sense of belonging and communication.

The virtual autonomy presented in high rise is excellent for those who are here in intervals. They can maintain an exercise regimen, as most of the newer high rises offer state-of-the-art fitness equipment. A very proactive social calendar is kept so when residents are in, they are invited to join in on the parties, card groups, book clubs and golf outings. Advance of arrival, the resident can call The Colony's Concierge service and request everything from having their refrigerator stocked, to housekeeping services, airport pick up and it goes on, ad infinitum. Guest suites are also within the building and provide a more private alternative for resident's guests who'd prefer a cozier option to a stay in a hotel.

The newer Colony high rises, such as Treviso, LaScala, Palermo, Navona and Florencia, offer the latest fashion, the private elevator entry; opening right to the home's foyer. There are no hallways and this lends to a greater sense of privacy. I am fond of saying to those inquring, "this is your private home in the sky".

So often I represent people with one spouse still working in their northern community. (The spouse is living in their high rise home while the other commutes for business in intervals.) The high rise option provides a needed sense of security while she may be singly in residence during his commitments. Also single individuals like this maintenance-free living, giving them full freedom to travel with the assurance that the high rise staff is "minding the ship" in their absence.

And the views, the scenery is absolutely beyond compare...this is part you have to see for yourself!

Castella, The Colony's Price Leader? Nostalgic feelings reading my notes from an early Castella planning collaborative, I remembered back when it was only but an idea.

We, who had the opportunity to sell high rise homes in The Colony and for the developer, were acutely aware and all in agreement that we needed an alternative to the high rise offering. But what? High rises staked claim to The Colony's premier offering-waterfront property. However, we did have this one large parcel, that was not really appropriate for a high rise...waterfront, surrounded by protected land on all sides. Could there be a new and different Colony neighborhood on the horizon?

Castella was about to be born! Feedback from prospects were submitted to the architect who along with the engineers designed 3 mid-rise buildings surrounding a beautiful resort-style pool, complete with lagoons, spa, and palm trees providing intermittent shade. The unique neighborhood would spread out over many acres and sculpted foliage would line the meandering path leading to the retreat.

Anxiously, this soon-to-be resident was depositing on his future home, pre-construction priced (in other words, discounted), starting at $745,000-1.545,000. Demand was strong.

Castellahad then made her debut. Majestic elevations, a personality all her own. Each building perfectly punctuated with elaborate wrought iron ornaments and front doors. A tidy genteel water feature welcomed as you entered each building. The atriums had far exceeded everyone's expectations soaring stories high...open, inviting.

The lanai spaces were endless, overlooking the beautiful landscape and so close to the Key deer, the vibrant pink color of the Roseate spoonbill. The sunsets were as magnificent as we dreamed. Quiet and perfect. I could hardly wait to bring the new owners in to see their lovely homes.

Unfortunately, a new real estate market also emerged. October of 2006, reservationists came to take possession of their new Castella homes. It was not without investors. People who only wanted to invest in someone else's dream and planned to "flip" the property upon completion.

The less-than-stellar market performance of 2007 had come and gone. The developer, without intention, had become a property manager of more than a couple dozen (now)unsold residences.

I was inspired to write this because I know quite intimately that Castella was never intended to be The Colony's price leader. It is a true gem; rare and unique.

Today Castella residents who paid the premium are neighboring (very fortunate) residents who paid much less. Of 72 residents, only 6 are for sale. And we will all agree, offered far below their intended worth. If you haven't seen it, come take a look and grab one at these unbelievable offerings.

We who love Castella know that beyond the price you pay for something, there is this invaluable serene feeling that overcomes you when family and friends gather around the most beautiful pool setting in The Colony. Enjoying the solitude while sitting on the lanai, observing the surrounding authentic Florida environs that no price could define. Regardless of all the highs and lows of market trends, the dream has been realized.

The Colony Golf & Bay Club is an exclusive and private enclave located adjacent to the northern end of Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs.

The Colony provides an alluring lifestyle that is second to none. Set on over 800 acres of some of Southwest Florida's most beautiful scenery, the Mediterranean-influenced community offers everything from concierge services to championship golf, spa service and fine dining.

From the exquisitely carved fountains at both entry ways to The Colony and down its cobblestone streets you'll find nestled amongst acres of pristine natural preserves the Mediterranean inspired architecturally award winning custom single family estate homes, spacious villas, and stunning condominiums. Winding nearer to Estero Bay – the luxury towers feature dramatic panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Tuscan inspired, artistically designed, and abounding in exclusivity, The Colony is a tribute to sumptuousness!

Golf Enthusiasts will enjoy access to the 18-hole course that meanders through emerald fairways, to the 28,000 square foot Colony Country Club featuring fine dining, wine room, men's and women's lounges with lockers, library, and pro shop. At the 18th hole you'll find the fitness center with exclusive spa services, cardiovascular weight and exercise room, steam, tennis shop, and pool. Personal trainers are on-staff to provide direction to all members. At the Tennis Center there are two pros for lessons or instructions to sharpen your skills. You and your guests may also enjoy the private Bay Club for alfresco and casual dining where every table promises a view of stunning Estero Bay and the Gulf.

If relaxation is your theme for the day, take the private beach shuttle to Pelican Landing's 32 acre barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico offering nearly a mile of white sandy beach with chaise lounges, towel service, and bath houses.

If The Colony is calling your name and you require more info please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Timothy Ludemann

Chiodo Properties
Listing Director|Realtor®
tludemann@chiodoproperties.com
239.333.3484 Direct

239.839.7710 Mobile

239.333.3518 Fax