Port Royal started as a dream of Chicago businessman John Glenn Sample to create the “most desirable place to live in the world.” In the 1940s, Sample had acquired two miles of marshland near Naples, Florida, and began to develop his dream.
It took nearly a decade before the 600 home lots became available for building. The lots designed at a half-acre and higher were luxury lots. Each home has access to deep water launching of their watercraft, and all properties are considered waterfront estates.
The name of the settlement was chosen as Port Royal after the famous pirate city in Jamaica. Sample enjoyed pirate stories and decided to name his development after this legendary city. Even the streets in Port Royal all have pirate-related names.
Sample wanted each of these exceptional properties to be more luxurious than anything else found in Old Naples, Marco Island, or Bonita Springs. He wanted Port Royal to become the playground of the rich and famous and surpass Palm Beach on the Florid East Coast.
In 1959, Sample established the Port Royal Club. This exclusive club featured gourmet dining, relaxation, and exercise opportunities, and a place for the ultra-rich to socialize. You had to own property in Port Royal to become a member, and at one point, recommendations were required for membership.
Since its beginning, Port Royal has been a unique community in Southwest Florida. It has drawn the attention of wealthy people from around the world who desire a tropical climate and enjoy the many tax benefits in Florida. Naples – what are you waiting for?