Ronto buys coveted Naples site for $15.1 million

The Ronto Group, one of the most active residential high-rise developers along the Gulf Coast, with projects from downtown Sarasota to Marco Island, has acquired a coveted Naples tract for $15.1 million.

The nearly nine-acre site, at 1075 Central Ave., had been the site of the headquarters of the Naples Daily News until 2009.

Seller Missark Naples 2 LLC, an entity controlled by Geosouthern Energy Corp., bought the property in the summer 2014 for $8.5 million, property records show. Missark and a partner had contemplated building either 100 condominiums or rental apartments on the land.

It could not be determined what Ronto Group intends for the site. Company President Anthony Solomon did not return calls for comment.

Ronto, whose projects include the high-rise Echelon on Palm condominium in downtown Sarasota, the Seaglass at Bonita Bay tower in Bonita Springs and the Naples Square community in downtown Naples, has completed more than 10,000 condo residences, in excess of 2,000 single-family homes and several commercial projects, according to its website.