McDowell Housing Partners (MHP) has announced the financial closing and start of construction for Ekos Creekside, a 160-unit affordable housing development in Naples. The project is the first in Collier County to break ground under Florida’s Live Local Act and marks Miami-based McDowell Housing Partners’ 15th affordable housing project statewide and fourth in the Naples market. The development team includes DeAngelis Diamond as general contractor, FK Architecture as architect of record, and Davidson Engineering as civil engineer. Completion is anticipated in the second quarter of 2027.
Located at 6360 Collier Boulevard, the seven-story building will rise along the Tamiami Trail corridor, providing much-needed affordable housing for working families in one of Florida’s most expensive rental markets. The development will offer 160 apartments reserved for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), with rents averaging more than 30 percent below market rate.
Recent projects from McDowell Housing Partners in the area include Ekos Cadenza, a 320-unit senior housing community on Rattlesnake Hammock Road east of Collier Boulevard, contributing to the ongoing wave of residential and mixed-use growth throughout southern Naples.
“Ekos Creekside is our fourth affordable housing development in Naples, and without question, our most impactful,” said Christopher Shear, President of McDowell Housing Partners. “With 160 apartments for working families, in a prime location along the Tamiami Trail corridor, and with rents more than 30% below market, this community will transform lives by providing stability for 160 working families. Ekos Creekside is not just about creating housing, it’s about investing in Collier County’s future and supporting the families who are the backbone of its economy.”
Units will include 98 one-bedroom, 48 two-bedroom, and 14 three-bedroom layouts ranging from 767 to 1,287 square feet. Apartments will feature stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, kitchen islands, tile backsplashes, walk-in closets, and in-unit washer and dryers. The project will also pursue National Green Building Standard certification, incorporating Energy Star-rated appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and LED lighting to enhance efficiency and lower utility costs for residents.
Amenities will include a resort-style pool with BBQ grilling stations, a fitness center, a business center with computer stations, and a multipurpose clubhouse featuring a kitchenette and media lounge.
Collier County secured the land through its Workforce Housing Land Acquisition Surtax Fund and entered into a long-term ground lease with McDowell Housing Partners to ensure the property remains affordable in perpetuity.
Financing for Ekos Creekside combines public and private resources, including a State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) and tax-exempt bonds from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Fifth Third Bank is providing the construction loan, Barings LLC is supplying permanent financing, and McDowell raised equity through the syndication of 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to CREA, LLC.
