Castella at The Colony Golf and Bay Club

Nostalgic feelings reading notes from an early Castella planning collaborative, I remembered back when Castella was only but an idea.


The Colony sales center was bursting with inquiring prospects, ambitious in their pursuit to find their little piece of paradise. Proudly, I would invest a good couple of hours showing the would-be Colony residents our lovely high rises. I knew then, as I continue to believe today, that what we built was the best. The Colony high rises adorned with beautiful exotic stone and other finishes of stunning detail, cutting edge amenities, attention to security…all the creature comforts of living in a private home exempt from the usual homeowner aggravations. Surely everyone would instantly fall in love and many did!

But there were times that I could see in the prospect’s wishful eye a sense that something was missing. The high rise wasn’t what they wanted. Enthusiastically, I’d rushed to open the door to show them the next surprise which would no doubt elicit a “wow”. But that didn’t always happen. And when it didn’t, it confounded me! These couples, who so anxiously jumped into my car to go discover the home of their dreams, rendered a sort of expression of wanting… “What was it?” I thought. “Oh, it’s beautiful…” they’d say, it’s just…well, it’s not for us.”

Priding myself of being a good salesperson, I’d ‘drill down’, as we say, trying to extract an answer to my question, “What would be the definition of your perfect home?” Being consistently polite, these desiring prospects would say, “Do you have anything more casual….less formal?”

One high rise was bigger and more opulent than the next. We had to turn this prospect toward other options, usually outside of the Colony, leaving them disappointed because they certainly loved The Colony and all the community had to offer.

We, who had the opportunity to sell these lovely high rise homes in The Colony and for the developer, were acutely aware and all in agreement that we needed an alternative to the high rise offering. But what? High rises staked claim to the Colony’s premier offering-waterfront property. However, we did have this one parcel, a large property, that was not really appropriate for a high rise…waterfront, in fact, set forward of most of the high rises, surrounded by protected land on all sides. Could there be a new and different neighborhood possibility?

Our Colony team huddled to combine notes to brainstorm about building some different kind of condominium. “People tell me they want a more casual home”, I’d say. “But with the same commitment to quality of construction…” said another team member. Here we have gone all out providing a virtually autonomous environment in the high rise and this group said, “Thanks. But can we want a retreat, relaxing and casual, quaint like the rest of The Colony”.

We took to paper making copious notes of what prospects were saying. We began asking them more questions when we were unable satiate them with a high rise offering. We learned that open spaces were important. Big lanais and very open, casual interior spaces. Build it with the same qualitative finishes-solid core doors, granite counters, etc. Big storage spaces…bigger than we have ever done. Only a few floors, not a couple of dozen. Make it completely Florida! Surround it with lots of colorful flowers.

This seemingly classic design idea was quickly becoming the new frontier, The Colony’s only mid-rise and in front of many of the high rises, closer to the water. Exclusive.

Castella was about to be born! The ideas were put to the architect who along with the engineers designed 3 mid-rise buildings surrounding a beautiful resort-style pool, complete with lagoons, spa, and palm trees providing intermittent shade. The unique neighborhood would spread out over many acres and sculpted foliage would line the meandering path leading to the retreat.

Those prospects loved the idea of the exclusive enclave. And with a fierce desire to secure their Castella home, this soon-to-be resident was making deposit on his future home, pre-construction priced (in other words, discounted), starting at $745,000-1.545,000. Demand was strong. We took “back-up” contracts on many of the residences just in case one of the early reservations fell out. About 60 percent of our new creation was now secured by folks anxiously awaiting the two year completion.

Castella had then made her debut. Majestic elevations, a personality all her own. Each building perfectly punctuated with elaborate wrought iron ornaments and front doors. A tidy genteel water feature welcomed as you entered each building. The atriums had far exceeded anyone’s expectations soaring stories high…open, inviting.

The lanai spaces were endless, overlooking the beautiful landscape and so close to the Key deer, the vibrant pink color of the Roseate spoonbill and the endangered Florida bobcat. The sunsets were as magnificent as we dreamed. Quiet and perfect. I could hardly wait to bring the new owners in to see their lovely homes.

Unforturnately, during that time, a new real estate market had also emerged. But in October of 2006, reservationists came to take possession of their new Castella homes. Castella was not without investors. People who only wanted to invest in someone else’s dream and planned to “flip” the property upon completion.

This was a sad day for those of us who had made such a substantial psychic investment to articulate and build the dream of those who’d actually call Castella “home”. The less-than-stellar market performance of 2007 had come and gone. The developer, without intention, had become a property manager of more than a couple dozen unsold Castella residences. We learned of several owners who, unable to re-sell their units in a timely fashion, were not paying their association commitments.

I was inspired to write this because I know quite intimately that Castella was never intended to be The Colony’s price leader. Castella was, by design, (arguably) The Colony’s premier neighborhood. What you have as a Castella resident, is a true gem; rare and unique. As much as I fought the good fight insisting to the prospect the Castella merits and values, there was only one answer; reduce the price and get the remaining Castella residences sold. Bludgeoned into submission we had to accept the bigger picture which was to get the residences in the hands of those who will live here and love it.

Today Castella residents who paid the premium are neighboring (very fortunate) residents who paid much less. Of 72 residents, only a 6 are for sale. And we will all agree, offered far below their intended worth.

We who love Castella know that beyond the price you pay for something, there is this invaluable serene feeling that overcomes you when family and friends gather around the most beautiful pool setting in The Colony. Enjoying the solitude while sitting on the lanai, observing the surrounding authentic Florida environs that no price could define and residents, no doubt, grateful these moments were not missed. A secret that only Castellans were privy to where memories were made that no amount of money can buy. Regardless of all the highs and lows of market trends, our Castella dream has been realized.



There is so much more to the Castella design for living than the price, which will certainly recover. Meantime, those fortunate residents will continue taking full advantage of the beautiful little piece of paradise called Castella.