Laura Layden, Naples Daily News Published 9:00 a.m. ET Dec. 27, 2019
A lavish home going up on Gordon Drive will be one of the largest in Naples, but it promises to be extremely green.
So green that it's expected to be a net zero — or zero-energy — home, generating enough renewable energy to run the entire estate.
The waterfront mansion at 2500 Gordon Drive will span 32,000 square feet, with 11 bedrooms and 11 full-size bathrooms in the main residence, plus another two bedrooms in a 1,780-square-foot guest house.
While it's an expansive project, it will take up a little more than 11% of the roughly 5.5-acre property it sits on, according to the architects.
In a news release, John Cooney, a partner in Stofft Cooney Architects based in Naples, described the project on the Gulf of Mexico as "one of the most challenging residential projects ever undertaken by the firm." It's his firm's first net zero project.
The home is designed to generate energy through solar and geothermal technologies. The goal of zero net energy consumption was considered in every design detail, from the placement of the solar panels, to the selection of high-energy windows and doors to the installation of a multi-layer rigid foam roof insulation system.
Construction underway on Gordon Drive net zero mansion
"The glazing used in all doors and windows has leading technology for energy efficiency, and is compliant with Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission requirements for protection of sea turtles from the impact of interior lighting," Cooney said.
A solar electric system and solar hot water collectors are expected to produce enough energy to offset 100% of the home's electricity needs.
The geothermal system will connect the home's air conditioning and heating systems to 26 miles of heat exchangers underground. Home automation will control heat pump systems, making them more efficient.
One of the keys to achieving the net zero standard is the ability to measure and manage the home's energy consumption at different times of the year. That will be done in several ways, including through the use of intelligent circuit breakers, according to the architects.
The look of it
The home will have a Mediterranean Revival design style, inspired by the Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival architecture. Design features will include natural coral stone, clay roof tile and mahogany doors, beams and columns.
"The period correct architecture was perfect for assisting the net zero qualifications," Cooney said. "Large overhangs, covered terraces, thick wall dimensions and awnings provided efficient protection from solar heat gain."
Many of the large palm and banyan trees have been preserved on the property and they'll be supplemented by more palms, shrubs and tropical plants native to Florida.
The home's builder is Naples-based Newbury North Associates, which specializes in custom, luxury estates.
In a statement David Rogers, Newbury North's owner, said: "I've been building homes in this community for 30 years and have never seen a commitment to sustainability and energy conservation of this scale. It's exciting to be part of the team to be working on a project with this level of sophistication in construction, as well as systems."
Construction crews work on the site of a 32,000-square-foot mansion at 2500 Gordon Drive in Naples on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019. The main residence and its additional 1,780-square-foot guest house are expected to generate enough renewable energy to power the whole estate, making it a net zero home. (Photo: Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News/USA TODAY - FLORIDA NETWORK)
The property — and the project — have generated a lot of buzz in Southwest Florida.
In November of last year, the new owner tore down a 10,825-square-foot mansion on the property after paying a record-breaking $48.8 million for it, making local and national headlines.
At the time, the buyer's identity remained confidential. The property — previously owned by software mogul Arthur Allen — was purchased under the name 2500 Gordon Land Trust.
Breaking his silence
Now, the owner is breaking his silence and sharing his plans for a posh, yet environmentally friendly luxury home like no other — offering answers to the curious in Naples and Southwest Florida.
"We have been getting a lot of inquiries about it, from multiple people and organizations," Stofft said in a phone interview.
So who is the new owner? Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Peter Gilgan, who knows plenty about home building as the founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes, is the man behind the project. With a 40-year history of operating in Canada and across the United States, his company has been recognized as the largest privately-owned home builder in North America.
Mattamy Homes has built more than 90,000 homes in hundreds of communities across North America. The company is focused on expanding throughout the United States and is building in Arizona, Florida and the Carolinas.
2500 Gordon Drive, which was the priciest home to ever sell in Southwest Florida, for $48.8 million. It was sold and torn down in 2018. (Photo: Jennifer Beeson/Naples Daily News)
According to Forbes, Gilgan, 68, has a net worth of more than $4 billion.
When he founded Mattamy, named after his two oldest children, Matt and Amy, Gilgan saw an opportunity to break from the mold and build suburban homes with individual charm and character in Canada.
In 1986, the company started designing and building new planned communities in Canada.
In the United States, Mattamy has a presence in about a dozen markets, including Naples and Sarasota.
Mattamy Homes is building the Arboretum development in East Naples, a gated community of coach homes and attached villas. The company is also behind Compass Landing, offering single-family homes in North Naples.
A home for entertaining
In the news release, architect Randall Stofft, a partner in Stofft Cooney, said it's a "true privilege" to design a home for Gilgan and his growing family.
"The home had to not only be net zero, it had to incorporate many entertaining, living and active areas to accommodate large family gatherings," he said. "We hope the care and attention we have taken in our design will ensure many wonderful memories are created in this home and our learning and evolution of green design will serve future clients who share this energy conservation vision."
Gilgan has eight grown children, with an "ever growing number of grandchildren," Cooney said in an email, so he wanted to build a large enough vacation home to fit them all at once.
"Naples was his first choice," he said.
Gilgan plans to use his new estate as a seasonal residence. He already owns a part-time home nearby in Port Royal and has vacationed here for several years, Cooney said.
Although Mattamy Homes has built many energy efficient developments, the company has never built a net zero residence.
"The owner is using this experience on his own residence to determine the feasibility for use on his future projects," Cooney said.
Construction crews work on the site of a 32,000 square foot mansion at 2500 Gordon Drive in Naples on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019. (Photo: Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News/USA TODAY - FLORIDA NETWORK)
Just getting started
Stofft Cooney assembled an expert team for the extensive project, including experienced green consultants.
Construction started in August 2019, so it's still in the early stages. The compound is expected to take about three years to build.
There are no other homes with the same level of efficiency or sustainability in Southwest Florida, Cooney said, "especially a home of this magnitude and caliber."
What might the value of the home be when it's finished, and how much money is being invested in it? Gilgan wants to keep that private, Cooney said.
Bill Earls, a top Realtor in the luxury market with John R. Wood Properties in Naples, said accomplishing the net zero goal — in this case to the nth degree — would be an "amazing feat."
But, he said, if anyone can accomplish such a feat it's either going to be Gilgan, or Elon Musk. Musk, the co-founder, CEO and product architect at Tesla Motors recently stated that he expects his company’s solar and energy storage business to grow faster than its electric car business.
Earls described Gilgan as an incredibly successful man, adding that if he pulls off his mission of having a net zero home of this scope "it might be the first one on the planet."
"There aren't too many houses that are 5,000 square feet that can achieve that," he said.
As for the value of the new home, Earls said it's difficult to determine, especially since it's still under construction. In other words he said, only time will tell.
"I think it's going to end up as something that's going to be a world-class success," Earls said.
By the Numbers
Here are a few stats about the expansive net zero home planned at 2500 Gordon Drive:
32,205 square feet — span of main residence
1,780 square feet — size of guest house
11 bedrooms with 11 full-size bathrooms — not including the guest house
500-plus — solar panels
26 miles — of underground heat exchange piping
The home will also include a pool and spa, as well as solar hot water storage, among other energy-saving features.
History of 2500 Gordon Drive
The former estates at 2500 Gordon Drive weren't just quiet retreats for generations of family members. They've also welcomed presidents and hosted grand charity events for more than 80 years.
Some highlights from its history:
1937 — William B. Uihlein and his wife, Melitta Uihlein, purchased the property in 1937. Uihlein was chairman of the Schlitz Brewing Co. The original beachfront estate featured nine bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and a five-car garage. The property also included a guest house and servants’ quarters.
1965 — Southwest Florida developer and philanthropist Raymond L. Lutgert purchased the home. The Lutgert Cos. are well-known in Collier County, with projects such as the Estuary at Grey Oaks, Mercato, the Promenade and the Northern Trust Building.
1981 — The Collier family acquired the beachfront estate. The original 1937 house was in bad shape, and the family decided to start from scratch. They demolished the home and built a new one.
2007 — Arthur Allen, founder of ASG Technologies, purchased the home for $40 million. During his time living at the beachfront estate, reality TV show "Paradise Coast Wives" was filmed there on occasion, with Allen's wife, Carol, one of the stars.
2015 —The estate was acquired by 2500 Gordon LLC for $45.6 million. The identity of the owner was not disclosed.
2018 — 2500 Gordon Land Trust purchased the home for $48.8 million. The identity of the owner was not disclosed. The home was completely demolished in November.
2019 — The new owner Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Peter Gilgan, founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes, reveals himself — and his plans for a lavish, yet green estate, spanning more than 32,000 square feet. The net zero compound will take three years to build.