WynnS Downtown: Naples’ New Mixed-Use Progress Promises Vibrant Future for Arts and Commerce
Naples, florida is poised for a significant addition to its downtown core with the development of Wynn’s downtown, a $15 million mixed-use building located on First Avenue South near Goodlette-Frank Road. While initial projections anticipated completion in late 2026, permitting delays have shifted the expected certificate of occupancy to the end of January 2027. Despite this adjustment, construction is progressing steadily, with the project having reached a vertical stage in November, according to developer Jeff Wynn.
A Hub for Arts and Entertainment
Wynn’s Downtown is designed as a three-story, 45,000-square-foot building that will blend retail, office, and residential spaces. A key component of the development is its partnership with gulfshore Playhouse, a prominent regional theater that recently opened a new performance venue nearby in fall 2024. The Playhouse will lease the building’s second floor for administrative offices and the third floor, comprising 17 studio apartments, to provide housing for visiting actors.
Kristen Coury, founder, CEO, and producing artistic director of Gulfshore Playhouse, emphasized the importance of this housing component. “We’ve got the biggest show on stage we’ve ever done right now – “White Christmas” – and we really had to compete with all the big theaters around the country that are also doing this with professional actors,” Coury stated. The proximity of convenient, private housing is expected to be a significant advantage in attracting talent. Currently, the Playhouse’s administrative offices are located a 15-minute drive away on Golden Gate Parkway, making the new location a considerable upgrade in convenience and efficiency.
Commercial Opportunities and Downtown revitalization
The first floor of Wynn’s downtown will feature an 8,000-square-foot restaurant space and additional areas designated for retail shops. Jeff Wynn, president of Downtown naples (the development company overseeing the project), reports significant interest in the restaurant space, notably as the building’s structure becomes more visible.A women’s apparel shop has already committed to leasing one of the smaller retail spaces, and Wynn is actively vetting potential tenants for the remaining commercial areas.
Interest in the available office space on the second floor is also strong, with Gulfshore Playhouse occupying half of the area and the remainder available for lease. The development is expected to contribute significantly to the revitalization of downtown Naples, offering a dynamic mix of cultural and commercial opportunities.
Moving Forward with Momentum
Despite the slight delay in the completion timeline, Wynn remains optimistic about the project’s progress. “We’re still planning about a 15-month build,” he confirmed. “The first floor is going up, and there’s a lot of cement going down. So we’re moving forward.” Wynn’s Downtown is poised to become a vibrant cornerstone of Naples’ downtown landscape, fostering a thriving environment for arts, commerce, and community engagement.