Huge Naples demolition: What’s happening between Tin City and Fifth Avenue South?

Andy Penev’s Miami Beach-based Aprea plans to roll out a 4.3-acre mixed use redevelopment known as The Avenue that includes the former home of the iconic St. George & The Dragon restaurant in downtown Naples between Tin City and the Fifth Avenue South shopping district.

Demolition officially began Friday (Feb. 21) of the remaining structures crippled by Ian to make way for 50 condos, 75,000-square feet of retail and other pedestrian-friendly features.

“The start of demolition is the first of many milestones to come,” said Penev, who brought in local Envirostruct for the 90-day deconstruct.

The eventual goal is for a creation “reminiscent of charming European streets” with homes priced from under $3 million to $8 million.

Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. He writes In the Know, one of USA TODAY Network’s most read local news columns in Florida. Support democracy. Subscribe to a newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples real estate destroyed by Ian will be demolished for new condos