WCI buys back community

BONITA SPRINGS — Residential developer WCI Communities bought back Artesia Naples, a 261-acre community it sold two years ago to a Florida-based land-investment group.

Terms of the recent deal were not disclosed in a WCI statement on the purchase, but Collier County Clerk records show WCI paid $13.7 million last month. Artesia's original developer, WCI sold the partially developed community to Winter Park-based Avanti Properties Group two years ago for $5 million. Artesia is located on Collier Boulevard south of U.S. 41 in Naples.

Artesia has room for 600 homes and WCI says it plans to open a sales center there this summer to start selling homes that will start in the mid-$100,000 price range.

“Its proximity to downtown Naples, Marco Island and Rookery Bay offer unlimited opportunities for recreation outside the gates, with a host of lifestyle amenities within the community for activities close to home,” says Paul Erhardt, senior vice president of homebuilding and development for WCI, in a statement.

WCI plans to build a three-acre clubhouse campus at Artesia with resort-style pool, racquet sports court, event lawn and dog park. An 11,641-square-foot clubhouse will include a fitness center with an aerobics room, a billiards room, theater, craft and card rooms and a cafe.