NAPLES, FL - McDowell Housing Partners MHP), a leading affordable housing developer and investment company, and DeAngelis Diamond, a nationally recognized leader in the construction industry, hosted the official groundbreaking ceremony for EKOS Creekside, a 160-unit affordable housing community in Naples, Florida. EKOS Creekside is the first development in Collier County to be delivered under Florida’s Live Local Act.
“With 160 apartments for working families, in a prime location along the Tamiami Trail corridor, and with rents more than 30% below market, EKOS Creekside is our fourth affordable housing development in Naples, and our most impactful. We are investing in the long-term prosperity of Collier County by ensuring our vital workforce has quality, affordable homes,” said Christopher Shear, President of McDowell Housing Partners."EKOS Creekside is a commitment to the workforce that keeps Collier County running, offering stability to the families driving our local economy.”
Representatives at the groundbreaking ceremony included McDowell Housing Partners, Chairman & CEO W. Patrick McDowell, and President Christopher Shear; honorary guests included Commissioner Rick LoCastro and Commissioner Daniel Kowal. Representatives from DeAngelis Diamond included Co-Founder and Co-Chairman John DeAngelis and President Reggie Morgan.
"Affordable housing is one of the most pressing needs facing communities across Florida, and Collier County is no exception. As Naples natives, we understand firsthand the challenges families and workers face in finding quality, attainable housing in this market. Through intensive collaboration and innovative solutions, we are proud to partner with McDowell Housing Partners to help address that need and make a lasting difference right in our own backyard,” said Reggie Morgan, President of DeAngelis Diamond.
As the developer continues expanding its footprint across Florida,EKOS Creekside represents Miami-based McDowell Housing Partners' 15th affordable housing project to start construction in the state of Florida, and its fourth development in Naples.
Located at 6360 Collier Boulevard, EKOS Creekside will deliver 160 apartment homes within a seven-story residential building with a standalone fully-amenitized clubhouse. EKOS Creekside provides desperately needed housing options to the Naples market for households making between 30-80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The project will provide 98 one-bedroom, 48 two-bedroom, and 14 three-bedroom well-appointed units ranging from 767 to 1,287 square feet and feature kitchens with stainless steel appliance packages, granite countertops, kitchen islands, tile backsplashes, walk-in closets, and washer/dryers in all units.
EKOS Creekside will be a green building certified under the National Green Building Standards to help residents keep their utility bills down. Each spacious apartment will offer many energy efficiency features, including Energy Star-rated appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures, LED lighting, and more.
Enhanced community amenities will feature an outdoor pool with BBQ grilling stations, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a business center with computer stations, and a multipurpose clubroom with a kitchenette and media area.
Collier County, through its Workforce Housing Land Acquisition Surtax Fund, secured the land for this development and entered a long-term ground lease with McDowell Housing Partners to ensure EKOS Creekside remains affordable in perpetuity.
Financing for this development is made possible through a strong public–private partnership that includes a State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) and tax-exempt bonds from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Fifth Third Bank provided the construction loan, while Barings, LLC, a global investment management firm owned by Mutual Life Insurance Company, is providing the permanent financing. McDowell raised equity for the development through the syndication of 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to CREA, LLC.
The project team for EKOS Creekside includes DeAngelis Diamond as the general contractor, FK Architecture as the architect of record, and Davidson Engineering as the civil engineer. EKOS Creekside is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2027.