Following Great Wolf Lodge construction, more restaurants, lodging headed to its doorstep

Phil Fernandez, Naples Daily News
·3 min read

Editor's note: This is the latest in a series on one of the most significant endeavors in local history that's drawing plenty of questions from you ahead of its September debut. One of Collier County's biggest private workplaces, Great Wolf Lodge is slated to draw by itself the same number of visitors in a year that all of Collier in its entirety attracts in nearly three months time. The retreat and water park is rising off I-75 and Collier Boulevard, also known as County Road 951.

Fans and critics have shared their excitement and worry about how much of a magnet Great Wolf Lodge will be in drawing ventures to Collier.

"It will bring tax revenue," Naples resident Daryl Cornette said. "I’m not a big fan of water parks. But it can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. The kids love it."

"It's already gridlock here on the exit, (and) now it will be worse," reader Gail Buck said. "Just what Naples needs is more traffic."

"Definitely will cause things to build around it," said Wolf enthusiast Anthony Churlin. "I look forward to taking my nieces and nephews."

And the spinoff construction is coming, with preliminary work beginning on the latest spec project featuring restaurants near Great Wolf. Here's what to know.

How many restaurants in new complex at I-75 and Collier Boulevard?

MK Architecture was just awarded the contract to begin architectural and engineering services for the new 22,000-square-foot City Gate Retail Center at City Gate Drive and Collier Boulevard at Great Wolf's doorstep, according to Kenleigh Buckingham, MK's vice-president.

"The building will be a contemporary design, one-story including a full-service restaurant, a drive-thru restaurant and in-line retail/office spaces," said Buckingham, who's working for developer Seagate Development Group on the project. "There will also be larger full-service restaurant space of 6,000 square feet with an outdoor dining area."

In the Know: Following construction of Great Wolf Lodge, restaurants, lodging and more are headed to I-75 Exit 101 at Collier Boulevard in Naples.
In the Know: Following construction of Great Wolf Lodge, restaurants, lodging and more are headed to I-75 Exit 101 at Collier Boulevard in Naples.

What's new hotel suites concept planned near Great Wolf?

Also, wanting to kick into gear, is the ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham Naples at White Lake Boulevard and appropriately named Income Lane, just off the interstate exit, close to Great Wolf and the Paradise Coast Sports Complex.

Miami-based extended stay specialists Gold Coast Premier Properties has been hanging onto the 1.67-acre site since its $1.85 million acquisition in 2019, but now it's ready to move forward as it wraps up some final design and permitting touches.

The plan: Four floors and 124 rooms for the relatively new Echo, which just emerged as a chain in November 2022. For Gold Coast, this will be its third foray in the region to go with its Naples Woodspring Suites sites.

In the Know: Following Great Wolf Lodge, Uline and the Paradise sports complex, Wyndham's Echo Suites will soon rise off I-75 and Collier Boulevard in Naples.
In the Know: Following Great Wolf Lodge, Uline and the Paradise sports complex, Wyndham's Echo Suites will soon rise off I-75 and Collier Boulevard in Naples.

Labor: AI robot dogs, robo-trucks invade local construction sites; few skilled humans to fill jobs

A lot will join Paradise sports, Uline, Great Wolf at I-75 and CR 951

Nearby housing construction and road improvements In the Know previously told you about continue paving the way for more to join Great Wolf, Paradise Sports and the adjacent massive Uline packaging and shipping materials complex that's almost a million square feet and marking its first anniversary this summer.

"It’s been incredible to see this location grow from a construction site into a flourishing warehouse," said Brad Heisner, the Naples manager for the 200-member local Uline force.

In the Know: Following construction of Great Wolf Lodge, restaurants, lodging and more are headed to I-75 Exit 101 at Collier Boulevard in Naples.
In the Know: Following construction of Great Wolf Lodge, restaurants, lodging and more are headed to I-75 Exit 101 at Collier Boulevard in Naples.

Indoor water park resort: Why a Great Wolf Lodge for Naples, Florida? What about a Great Gator Lodge instead?

What's your take on the growth surrounding Great Wolf Lodge?

The reaction is mixed to the growth to come related to Great Wolf as you've told me and also talked about on social media including our Facebook and Instagram pages for the Naples Daily News and other publications. Here's just a tiny sampling:

"We have enough traffic," Naples resident Greg Costa said. "That’s going to totally screw 951 and 75."

"Naples is a ridiculous place to have a Great Wolf thing, but developers rule," reader Georgia Willis said.

It "puts Naples on the map and generates tourism and additional revenue for the county," reader Jarrod Feintuch said. "Talk to local biz owners and they’ll tell you how badly we need tourism here to sustain operations and the local economy. (I) think it's great. Gives kids something to look forward to."

Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) writes In the Know for USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Great Wolf Lodge Naples, FL: More restaurants, hotels coming to I-75