The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay is the defining luxury development of Southwest Florida’s current era — a project that placed Bonita Springs on the global luxury residential map and brought a name synonymous with the world’s finest hotel experiences to a 500-acre Estero Bay waterfront address. When the South Tower opened in May 2026, it marked the first residential delivery at Saltleaf on Estero Bay, which London Bay Development Group describes as the largest project in the company’s 35-year history of homebuilding in Southwest Florida.
The numbers define the scale of what has been built. Two 22-story towers totaling 224 condominium residences. $650 million in sales surpassed before the North Tower’s construction even began. $198.6 million in construction financing secured from Bank OZK for the North Tower alone. A Raymond Floyd-redesigned 18-hole championship golf course with a 9-hole short course. A 72-slip marina. A waterfront restaurant by Chef Michael Mina. Five acres of outdoor amenity space including a man-made lagoon with over-water pavilions. And Ritz-Carlton concierge and hospitality service embedded into the daily residential experience.
For buyers who have been evaluating Bonita Bay, Miromar Lakes, and Pelican Landing — the established luxury communities of the Bonita Springs corridor — Saltleaf represents something none of those communities can offer: a brand-new development delivering now, on one of the last remaining stretches of Estero Bay waterfront, with a hospitality brand whose name is a global proxy for quality.
Understanding the two-tower structure is the essential first step for any buyer evaluating The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay. Both towers share the same master plan, the same Ritz-Carlton service model, and the same Saltleaf community amenities — but they are at different stages of construction and offer different buying experiences.
The South Tower at 5000 Coconut Road completed construction and opened in May 2026. All amenities are complete and operational — the lagoon, pools, golf course, marina, restaurant, spa, fitness center, and concierge services are available to residents today. The South Tower was 90 percent sold before completion. Remaining inventory is limited and represents the last opportunity to purchase in the first-delivered tower at Saltleaf. Buyers who close on South Tower residences are purchasing a completed, operational building with no construction wait.
The North Tower at 5200 Seagrass Boulevard broke ground in May 2025 and is currently slated for delivery in 2027. The North Tower secured $198.6 million in construction financing from Bank OZK in October 2025, confirming the financial strength of the development and the confidence of institutional lenders in the project. For buyers who want to select specific residences, floors, and configurations with greater inventory availability — and who have time to wait for delivery — the North Tower offers that opportunity. Coastal Construction is serving as general contractor on both towers.
Across both towers, residences offer two-, three-, and four-bedroom plus den configurations ranging from 2,628 to 3,885 square feet. Pricing ranges from approximately $3 million to $16 million depending on floor, exposure, configuration, and tower. Each residence includes at least two garage parking spaces. Optional guest suites and cabanas are available for purchase. Nearby boat docks are available for lease from the Saltleaf Marina. The average residence averages approximately 3,430 square feet of interior space, making these among the largest luxury condo floor plans available in the Bonita Springs corridor.
The Ritz-Carlton brand is the single most recognizable hospitality name in the world among luxury buyers, and it is the primary reason the project surpassed $650 million in sales before the North Tower broke ground. But understanding what Ritz-Carlton branded residential service actually delivers in practice — as opposed to what a Ritz-Carlton hotel delivers — is essential context for any buyer evaluating this development.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay is a residential condominium property, not a hotel. Residents own their homes outright, pay HOA fees, and live in a private residential building. What the Ritz-Carlton brand contributes is the hospitality service layer that operates within and around the building — the staffing, service culture, programming, and guest experience standards that Ritz-Carlton is contractually obligated to maintain to the brand’s established standards.
The practical effect of this service model is that residents of The Ritz-Carlton Residences experience their home the way a long-term hotel guest experiences a Ritz-Carlton property — with a team that knows their preferences, anticipates their needs, and handles the logistics of daily life. For buyers who have lived in standard luxury condo buildings where the HOA handles maintenance and the lobby attendant handles packages, the Ritz-Carlton residential model is a qualitatively different experience.
Buyers should understand that Ritz-Carlton branded residential properties operate under a licensing agreement between the developer and Marriott International, which owns the Ritz-Carlton brand. The specific services, staffing levels, and guest experience standards are defined by that agreement and are subject to the terms of the development’s ongoing relationship with the brand. Buyers should review the condominium documents, service agreements, and brand licensing terms as part of their due diligence to understand exactly what the Ritz-Carlton service commitment entails for this specific property.
Saltleaf Golf Preserve is one of the most significant golf course transformations in Southwest Florida’s recent history — and one of the development’s primary lifestyle anchors for residents who prioritize world-class golf. Understanding its origin, its current configuration, and its unique public access model is important context for golf-focused buyers.
Saltleaf Golf Preserve was built on the site of the former Raptor Bay Golf Club, which four-time Major champion Raymond Floyd and architect Harry Bowers originally designed. When London Bay Development Group acquired the property and began the Saltleaf master plan, they commissioned Floyd and Bowers to reimagine the course entirely. The renovation took 17 months and resulted in a dramatically enhanced layout: The Preserve expanded from a 6,400-yard par-71 to a robust 7,075-yard par-72 championship course. The course reopened in November 2023 and is now managed by Troon Golf, the world’s largest golf management company.
One of the only 9-hole short courses in Southwest Florida, The Leaf provides a distinct playing experience from The Preserve — shorter, more accessible, and ideal for warm-up rounds, practice, or casual play. For residents who want to play a quick nine before dinner at Acqua Bistecca or a morning round before a boat trip from the marina, The Leaf delivers a genuinely different golf experience than the full championship layout.
This is the feature that most distinguishes Saltleaf Golf Preserve from every other golf community in your Bonita Springs portfolio. Both The Preserve and The Leaf are open to the public — no membership purchase required, no initiation fee, no mandatory club dues. Tee times are available for booking at saltleafgolf.com. For residents of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, the concierge team handles tee time reservations as part of the service model. For buyers comparing Saltleaf against Bonita Bay’s member-only five-course structure or Pelican Landing’s optional membership model, the public access approach is a meaningful distinction that reduces the total cost of ownership.
Saltleaf Marina is planned directly adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton Residences with 72 boat slips. The marina provides Estero Bay access and serves as the neighborhood launch point for day trips to Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Naples, and the Gulf of Mexico. For residents who want to own or charter a vessel and have direct marina access from their residential community — without the Gulf Harbour model of a large standalone yacht club or the Bonita Bay model of a separate marina facility — Saltleaf’s integrated marina within a 500-acre master plan is a compelling option.
Acqua Bistecca opened at Saltleaf in 2026 as the development’s flagship dining anchor. Chef Michael Mina is one of the most acclaimed restaurateurs in the United States, with a portfolio of award-winning concepts across the country. The presence of a Michael Mina restaurant at the Saltleaf marina is a specific amenity credential that no other community in Southwest Florida can claim — not Bonita Bay, not Miromar Lakes, not any Naples community. For buyers who prioritize world-class dining as part of their daily residential lifestyle, the combination of Ritz-Carlton service and a Michael Mina restaurant within the same master plan is a genuinely singular offering in this market.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay delivers an amenity package across more than 36,000 square feet of indoor space and five acres of outdoor grounds that is designed to compete with the finest resort properties in Southwest Florida — not with the standard amenity packages of comparable condominium buildings.
Saltleaf on Estero Bay occupies one of the last remaining stretches of undeveloped Estero Bay waterfront — a 500-acre property that sits within Florida’s first designated aquatic preserve. The natural setting is not incidental to the development’s identity; it is the organizing principle of everything built here. The preserve surrounds the residential towers, the golf course winds through the natural habitat, and the marina connects residents directly to the Bay’s ecological character.
Estero Bay is Florida’s first aquatic preserve, designated for the protection of its mangrove systems, seagrass beds, and estuarine habitat. Living adjacent to this preserve means that the natural setting around Saltleaf is protected from future development — the views, the wildlife, and the ecological character of the bay are preserved by state designation. For buyers who value natural surroundings as part of their lifestyle, this protection is a meaningful long-term investment consideration.
The Colony at Pelican Landing is directly adjacent to Saltleaf, which creates a unique neighborhood dynamic. Colony residents share the Pelican Landing island beach park and have access to The Colony Golf and Country Club. Saltleaf residents are in proximity to The Colony’s community but operate within their own distinct master plan. For buyers evaluating both developments, understanding the property boundary and what amenities are shared versus exclusive is important due diligence.
Lee Health’s Gulf Coast Medical Center on Ben Hill Griffin Parkway is approximately 15 minutes from Saltleaf. NCH North Naples Hospital is approximately 20–25 minutes south for specialized services. The Coconut Point commercial corridor provides immediate access to grocery, retail, dining, and daily services.
Buyers evaluating luxury real estate in the Bonita Springs–Estero corridor consistently compare Saltleaf against the three established communities in the market. Understanding the differences candidly is the most valuable service an independent agent page can provide.
Bonita Bay is a 40-year-old master-planned community with five private championship golf courses, a marina, a beach park on Little Hickory Island, and a $110 million clubhouse transformation now underway. It is the established benchmark for the Bonita Springs luxury market. Bonita Bay offers an enormous range of resale inventory across 56 neighborhoods, established community culture, and a proven long-term appreciation record. Saltleaf offers brand-new construction, Ritz-Carlton branded service, a world-renowned chef’s restaurant, and the cachet of owning the newest and most high-profile development in the corridor. Buyers who value established community character and resale depth choose Bonita Bay. Buyers who want new construction, hospitality-branded service, and the prestige of a development still in its opening chapter choose Saltleaf.
Miromar Lakes is built around 700 acres of freshwater lakes with a private beach, water sports, new construction neighborhoods, and the NAHB Gold Award for number one community in the USA. It serves the buyer who wants freshwater lake living and an active outdoor lifestyle. Saltleaf serves the buyer who wants Estero Bay saltwater views, Ritz-Carlton branded service, a Michael Mina restaurant, and a hospitality infrastructure that Miromar Lakes does not offer. These communities do not compete for the same buyer on the lifestyle axis, though they overlap on the new construction and luxury price tier.
Pelican Landing is a fully established, nature-forward community with a private island beach accessible by boat shuttle, complimentary sailing, and all amenities included in HOA fees at a more accessible price point. It serves the buyer who wants comprehensive included amenities at $330,000 to $2.6 million. Saltleaf serves the ultra-high-net-worth buyer at $3 million to $16 million who specifically wants the Ritz-Carlton service model and new construction quality. There is virtually no buyer overlap between the two communities.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay is a development where floor selection, exposure, tower choice, and the difference between South Tower availability now and North Tower delivery in 2027 all affect what you own and what it will be worth when you sell. With South Tower inventory limited and the North Tower actively selling, the window to select from the broadest range of options is open now. Daniel Abreu works with buyers across Southwest Florida’s most established luxury communities and newest landmark developments. Schedule a private consultation to understand current availability, pricing, and what the right entry point looks like for your goals.
Residences at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay range from approximately 3 million to 16 million. The South Tower is delivering 112 residences with two-, three-, and four-bedroom plus den configurations ranging from 2,628 to 3,885 square feet. The North Tower broke ground in May 2025 with delivery expected in 2027, offering similar configurations averaging 3,430 square feet. Available South Tower inventory is limited as the building was 90 percent sold before completion. The North Tower offers greater selection for buyers with time to wait for delivery.
Saltleaf on Estero Bay is a 500-acre master-planned luxury coastal community in Bonita Springs developed by London Bay Development Group — the company's largest project in its 35-year history. The community includes The Ritz-Carlton Residences Estero Bay (two 22-story towers totaling 224 residences), Saltleaf Golf Preserve (a Raymond Floyd-redesigned 18-hole championship course and 9-hole short course open to the public), Saltleaf Marina (72 slips), and Acqua Bistecca (a waterfront restaurant by Chef Michael Mina). The project surpassed 650 million in sales before construction began on the North Tower.
Saltleaf Golf Preserve features two courses: The Preserve, an 18-hole championship course redesigned by four-time Major champion Raymond Floyd expanding to 7,075 yards par-72, and The Leaf, one of the only 9-hole short courses in Southwest Florida. Both courses are open to the public with no membership required. Tee times are available at saltleafgolf.com. This public access model distinguishes Saltleaf from neighboring private clubs including Bonita Bay, Pelican Landing, and Miromar Lakes.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay provides Ritz-Carlton hospitality service as a standard residential amenity. A dedicated concierge team reserves tee times and boat charters, plans community events, handles dog walking, grocery shopping, and special requests. This hospitality model is the fundamental differentiator between The Ritz-Carlton Residences and a standard luxury condominium. Buyers should review the condominium documents and brand licensing terms during due diligence to understand the specific service commitment for this property.
Saltleaf occupies a distinct position from both established communities. Bonita Bay is a 40-year-old master-planned community with five private golf courses, a marina, and a beach park — the established benchmark for Bonita Springs luxury with deep resale inventory. Miromar Lakes centers on freshwater lake living with new construction available and the NAHB Gold Award for number one community in the USA. Saltleaf is a brand-new coastal village anchored by Ritz-Carlton branded residential towers, a public-access Raymond Floyd golf course, a Michael Mina restaurant, and a marina on one of the last stretches of Estero Bay waterfront. Buyers choosing Saltleaf specifically seek the Ritz-Carlton service model and new construction premium that neither Bonita Bay nor Miromar Lakes can offer.
