Justin Askins

About Justin Askins

One of Naples’ most successful developers began with one “spec” home, 4324 Butterfly Orchid Lane, within the gates of one of Naples most distinguished, secure communities surrounding two outstanding examples of Arthur Hills golf course design. This property has an elevated and commanding water view of the tee box of Creek #3, considered by Arthur Hills’ architects to be the “signature hole” of Quail Creek Country Club. The property is almost an acre with privacy provided xeriscaping and a small citrus orchard featuring bananas, mangoes, “Honey Bells”, Key limes, navel oranges and coconut. This house was designed as a Florida interpretation of a Malibu-style Contemporary where dramatic golf course views replace a Pacific Ocean view from the 31 sliding glass doors that have proven themselves to be secure through several major hurricanes. Of course these doors all open, and when they are the house breathes wonderfully without Air Conditioning by virtue of air flow possible from a 3,000 sq. ft. screened lanai surrounding a 37’x17′ true swimmers pool. Remodeled 4 times (1989, 1993, 1996, 2016) throughout its 35 years to create entertainment, guest and work space more suited to the 21st Century than 1986 by its original owners provides unrivaled flexibility in floor plan. While the home never came to market as intended as a “spec” home due to purchase while under construction in December 1985 and completed in 1986, the Signature Group as Developer and John Soave as builder intended it to be as forward-thinking as possible. It originally featured geo-thermal pool heat (now solar with heat pump support), xeriscaping to minimize water use and landscape design created to not only be compellingly beautiful but also to move water away from the home, capture it and allow for transfer to community gutter system and aquifer below in worst-case hurricane scenarios but was Naples’ very first “Smart Home” run by a centrally located IBM 512K Computer. While still wired for smart home use, the computer was overwhelmed by the addition of sensors and controls when the square footage of the home doubled in 1996. Built to exceed building code at the time in 1985-6, and remodeled in 1996 to double the interior square footage of the home, that strength through design and construction was created to remain well above the more recent “Miami-Dade” standards and has proven itself to be as resilient as it is exquisite. It is not only a 3 bed, 3 full and 2 half bath 6998 sq. ft. “statement” home, it is also a grown boy’s toy box with three car, one (small) boat and one golf cart – garages. The interior space was designed with flexibility to display a vast array of appreciating art and antique furniture of any owner’s taste. This owner has decided to fully express that aspect with full compliment of modern art in a remarkable display of Mid-Century “Maximalism” punctuated by authentic masterpieces of Mid-Century furniture design. A nearly 1000 sq. ft. bonus room, originally intended to be an entertainment and billiards room remains virtually un-sculpted to allow the new owner to express their own personal style as effectively as this owner has in their own personal aesthetic. The final remodel included updating HVAC, hot water and lighting systems (now all LED) and a new roof, but distinguishes itself from every other home in Naples in its use of various stone, wood, cork, and pressed concrete flooring to accentuate design of home, while providing passive cooling qualities of stone and noise insulation of wood and cork in equal measure. Particularly unique is the use of quartz floors in kitchen and laundry rooms where the antimicrobial and antiviral qualities of quartz may be optimized to protect the health and quality of life of the owners. As to quality of life; beyond stunning golf course and water views, hurricane protection through design and construction quality beyond current building code and virtually new HVAC and water systems, there exists a special area of respite in a Master Bedroom suite with two full walls of sliding doors, ample “his and hers” closet space, an 8 shower head – 110 sq. ft. Carrera marble shower and a soaking tub large enough for any couple to relax and recharge, well away from the noise and bustle of the guest and entertainment wing of the home. With all these many and varied assets ensuring quality of life, it is ironic that the massive laundry room is the current owner’s favorite space. The laundry room features two sets of washers and dryers, utility sink, ample storage, a full size folding table and European style “drip closet” for linen garments with its own Sonos music source and television. The owner’s philosophy is that nothing should feel like a chore when living in paradise. It is singularly unique in these, and many other aspects in a Naples’ market full of mundane and inefficiently designed homes in equally pedestrian and unimaginative communities that lack privacy in their small lots and exposure to destruction by the elements due to population density in those communities. Being safe, sound and healthy could not be easier in this private oasis.