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Council approves outdoor dining permits for reimagined Naples Beach Club across six outlets
Summary
Council unanimously approved life‑safety plans and outdoor‑dining permits for six dining areas at the reconfigured Naples Beach Club project, authorizing a combined set of tables and chairs across hotel and golf properties and noting operator and parking arrangements.
Naples City Council unanimously approved outdoor‑dining permits and associated life‑safety plans Wednesday for the reimagined Naples Beach Club project, permitting dining at six separate outlets on the hotel, Market Square and golf course parcels.
The approvals cover multiple venues and seating totals across private property: the Merchant Room, HB's, the Sunset Bar, the pro shop/"shed," the Wager and Naples Trading Co. Fire marshal and city staff approved life‑safety plans for each seating area before the council vote.
Why it matters: The project is a large private redevelopment with public interface along Gulf Shore Boulevard North. Council and staff said the permitted outdoor seating is contained entirely on private property and was reviewed against the city's outdoor‑dining rules and life‑safety standards.
Project details in the approved permit package include: 34 tables/130 chairs at the Merchant Room; 38 tables/119 chairs at HB's; 35 tables/209 chairs at the Sunset Bar; 15 tables/60 chairs at the shed (pro shop/snack bar); 41 tables/125 chairs at the Wager; and 7 tables/17 chairs at Naples Trading Co. Staff said those counts reflect the life‑safety layouts approved by the fire department.
Ownership and operations: City staff and the petitioner clarified on the record that Naples Beach Club Land Trust (the record owner) will continue as owner and that 4 Seasons will operate the hotel and the principal food‑and‑beverage outlets. Vice Mayor Hutchison moved, and Council Member Barton seconded, the motion for approval.
Parking and access: Petitioners said most guest and visitor parking on the hotel and Market Square side will be handled by valet; a modest number of surface spaces will remain for special needs or service vehicles. The shed (golf pro shop) is tied to golf course operations and will open with golf‑course phases (petitioner indicated the golf facility elements will be phased and the shed may not be operational until 2026).
Timing: Petitioners said HBs and the Sunset Bar are on track for an October opening; other facilities will open as their construction and phasing permit. Staff noted outdoor‑dining approvals are conditioned on maintaining the life‑safety plans on site and on adherence to the standard code provisions; a transfer of owner/operator would require a new council approval under the outdoor‑dining rules.
What the council did: The council adopted the resolution approving petition 25‑OD9 and the associated life‑safety plans by unanimous vote. Staff will continue plan review and inspections as the project completes construction and prepares for operations.
