New construction in South Naples, a premium destination for vacation travelers from all over the world for decades and a natural selection for families seeking a mild climate, good schools, lower tax rates and still no state income tax, the area has lately ranked higher than ever before on their shopping lists. The sun shines 12 months a year here. Even the dog days of summer are mitigated by the season’s daily deluges to clear the air. The energy efficiency of Antilles’ solid concrete block construction, insulated roofs and exterior walls, plus its low-E aluminum windows and doors, easily keeps the bills down and the residences comfortable. With the sunshine comes year round tropical floral displays as big as saucers, rich green lawns and hearty landscaping. As a place to live, the area’s sights and attractions are truly numerous. Wide beaches, boating of every kind, fishing for everything from seatrout to tarpon, surf sports, concerts and art shows in the parks, biking on sandy trails, shopping from Farmers’ Markets to By-Appointment-Only selections - plus every type of dining option imaginable - if it is fun in the sun, Naples offers it.

Within that context, JMD Development set out to build a new community that offers homeowners the kind of resort lifestyle that can make Antilles’ community life as compelling as Naples’ multifaceted local color. The Flamingo Club amenity center puts Antilles’ best foot forward. It is a handsome, West Indies Island style structure showcasing contemporary dove grey exteriors with striking white trims and sharp black Bahama shutters. It also functions as home base for Antilles’ community life. The camaraderie fostered by homeowners shared bond of everybody being new to the community at the same time has become the basis for cheerful greetings and some new friendships.

Antilles’ Flamingo Club offers a combined 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor activity and living space at no additional cost to its homeowners beyond the purchase price of their home. No membership dues are required. Buy a home, get a lifestyle that includes 24 hour access to the Fitness Center and huge Gathering Room social center, which includes Sonny’s Coffee Bar and the Fireplace Lounge with comfortable seating and a TV big enough for game day extravaganzas. Event catering facilities, executive and conference services are available daily. The Fitness Center’s appeal is strong across all levels of commitment. Lifters and cardio and strength trainers alike have their own specific regimens which are accommodated within the Club’s all-hours access policy.

The Outdoor Living Area is becoming the homeowners’ favorite spot to gather and get to know their neighbors. It offers 9,000 square feet of fresh air amenities centered in its huge Resort Pool with inviting wade-in entry, multiple coves for family swims and infinity edge perimeter that appears to overflow into Antilles’ own Kingfisher Lake, creating the effect of one long water feature meandering across the community. The Lake’s multi-tiered fountains enhance the serenity factor, particularly when highlighted at night. As a focal point, the Pool is becoming as central to community life as local nature sightings and horizon wide sunset views. Sun and shade decks with multiple lounge chairs and umbrella tables surround the Pool, inviting as much fun in the sun as the homeowners choose.

The Resort Pool and oversized Spa are flanked by a pergola covered Fire and Conversation Pit with built in seating to one side and Tiki Hut on the other. Its party ready service bar extends the length of the building and is fitted out with cabinetry and refrigerators and topped by a richly veined quartz countertop. Outdoor grills complete the space. Regulation Bocce and Pickleball courts are outside the enclosed Pool area and a 4-hole Putting Green was recently installed to add to Antilles list of amenities. Equipment for the those sports is available in the Flamingo Club, courtesy of management, JMD Development.

A notable feature of Antilles’ lifestyle is its quiet setting. It is located at the end of a long approach and set back from the busy Collier Boulevard corridor. It is also surrounded by preserves and deep landscape installations, with no peripheral roadways or through traffic to disturb its tranquility. Rookery Bay Reserve is due west of Antilles. Its 110,000 wetland acres provide endless local and migratory wildlife sightings as soaring as the horizon wide sunsets views are colorful. Antilles is also located within minutes of Marco Island’s beaches and barefoot attractions as well as everything that makes Old Naples a world class resort getaway.

Following the same successful format as in Phase One, Antilles’ new Grand Coach Homes currently under construction will be 4-unit structures featuring 2-car Garages and large screened-in Lanais with each residence. The first floor Nevis is a 3-Bedroom floorplan offering 1,980 square feet under air. Preserve and water view orientations will be available and buyers can select their options and finishes during construction. Pricing for a well appointed residence starts at $540,000.

The Nevis’ impactful side entry lives wide, opening into its bright and open Great Room that includes an island Kitchen. Tall, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling slider doors bring the home’s views inside and allow for the easy indoor-outdoor lifestyle that is a hallmark of all Antilles’ homes. The Nevis’ Kitchen features an oversized, chef’s kitchen style island with gorgeous curved-edge Quartz countertop, high-arching multi-function chrome faucet and stainless steel fixtures. It is set off by three pendant lights in addition to the home’s recessed lighting. Shaker style, solid wood cabinetry with quiet close features lines two walls and includes 42-inch high upper cabinets. A large Pantry with custom shelving to promote air circulation completes the Kitchen. The spacious Living and Dining areas are adjacent and easily accommodate family living. A popular feature in the Nevis is its separate Storage Room in addition to the Pantry, both of which are lined with floor to ceiling wood shelves on two sides.

The upper floor Montserrat is the largest 3-Bedroom residence in Antilles at 2,444 square feet under air. Its first floor Entry adds a degree of separation from the rest of the home that increases its single-family-home presence. Phase One owners have personalized the unit’s Loft as everything from a quiet reading and games space to an occasional sleeping alcove any grandchild would love. The Great Room offers the best big sky views in Antilles and parallels the first floor Nevis’ layout. The Montserrat is distinguished by higher ceilings and cove detailing in the Living and Master Bedroom and its screened-in Lanai spans its wide Great Room.

Antilles is a gated community 2 miles south of Tamiami Trail East (US 41), off Collier Boulevard (SR 951). Turn east on Port Au Prince Road and continue to The Flamingo Club, 155 Indies Drive East, Naples, FL 34114. Antilles is represented by JRW Developer Resources, a division of John R. Wood Properties. Please refer to AntillesNaples.com to register or call 239-691-4455 for an appointment. The Sales Center is open daily 10AM to 5PM and Noon to 5PM on Sundays. Kerry or Jaime are on site to answer any questions you may have.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Every day is a vacation day at Antilles in South Naples