Custom Home Builders in the Estates, Marco Island
The Estates, on Marco Island’s southeast side, has some of the largest lots on the island, views across Roberts Bay and Caxambas Pass, and deep-water frontage for serious boats. It is still a neighborhood of luxury homes and buildable lots, so a new custom home here can start from open ground, not only from a teardown. Owner-led by Collin and Tyler Alexander. Florida GC CBC1266523.
Building in the Estates Starts With the Water
The Estates runs along Marco Island’s southeast shore, reached by South Barfield Drive south of Winterberry Drive, with Caxambas Court among its best-known addresses. Many lots face Roberts Bay or look toward Caxambas Pass, and many have direct access to the Gulf through the Pass, with deep water at the dock for larger boats. The lots are larger than most on the island, and the homes are built to match.
Everything that makes the Estates valuable also makes it demanding. Marco Island is its own city, so permits run through the City of Marco Island’s Building Services department, not Collier County. Waterfront lots sit in FEMA flood zones that set the minimum floor height, the island’s design wind speed is 170 mph, and the seawall and dock are part of the design from the first meeting.
The Lots We Build On
Roberts Bay & Caxambas Pass Frontage
Open water, long views and full exposure to weather. We engineer these homes for wind and surge first: impact-rated openings throughout, a continuous load path from roof to foundation, and a finished floor set with margin above the flood minimum.
Deep-Water Canal Lots
Direct Gulf access and dockage for larger boats. We evaluate the seawall before design, permit the dock and lift with the house, and plan the rooms around the frontage so the water is the point of the home.
Buildable Lots
Open ground is rare on Marco. We start with the survey, the soils, the flood zone and the setbacks, and the structural engineer sets the foundation. On our Marco Beach canal build, that meant 10-inch concrete piles under a continuous pile cap.
Older Homes on Large Lots
When an older Estates home sits below today’s flood elevation on a lot worth far more than the house, demolishing and building new to current code is often the better investment. Demolition on Marco typically runs $25,000 to $75,000.
Elevation Decides How a Marco Home Ages
Hurricane Ian’s surge in 2022 drew a clear line on Marco Island between homes built high enough and homes that were not. New construction in the Estates must place the finished floor at or above the base flood elevation, and we design with margin above that minimum. On our Orchid Court build in Marco Beach, the base flood elevation is 9.0 feet and the living level sits at 10.1 feet NAVD.
Building high protects the house, lowers flood insurance cost, and is the main reason owners of older ground-level homes call us about a teardown and rebuild instead of another renovation.
Orchid Court Residence, Marco Beach
A five-bedroom canal-front home in Marco Beach, completed in 2025 on a 0.20-acre lot with direct Gulf access from the dock. It stands on 10-inch concrete piles with the living level at 10.1 feet NAVD, above the 9.0-foot base flood elevation, and every opening is impact-rated for the island’s 170 mph design wind.
- Living area
- 4,845 sq ft
- Design wind
- 170 mph
- Finished floor
- 10.1' NAVD
Three Ways We Work in the Estates
Custom Waterfront Homes
Ground-up custom homes designed to the specific lot, frontage and flood zone. Custom home building →
Teardown & Rebuild
Demolition and new construction on established lots, built to current flood and wind code. Teardown & rebuild →
Whole-Home Renovation
For structurally sound homes worth keeping, full renovation of structure, systems and finishes. Whole-home renovation →
The Estates, Frequently Asked
Who builds custom homes in the Estates on Marco Island?
Alexander² Construction is an owner-led custom home builder working on Marco Island and across Southwest Florida. Collin and Tyler Alexander personally lead every build and cap the company at fewer than ten homes a year. Our recent Marco Island work includes the Orchid Court Residence, a canal-front home in Marco Beach completed in 2025. Florida GC license CBC1266523.
How much does it cost to build a custom home in the Estates?
On Marco Island, plan on roughly $300 to $800 or more per square foot for construction under our cost-plus GC fee model, excluding land. Large waterfront Estates homes with bay or pass exposure tend toward the upper end. Seawall work commonly runs $1,200 to $2,500 or more per linear foot, a dock and boat lift $50,000 to $150,000, and permits and impact fees $25,000 to $60,000 or more. We build a detailed budget for your specific lot before any commitment.
Are there still buildable lots in the Estates?
Yes. The Estates is still a mix of luxury homes and buildable lots, and older homes on large parcels are candidates for teardown and rebuild. Inventory changes quickly, so if you are considering a lot, send us the address before you buy and we will review the flood zone, the seawall and what the site will require.
Who issues building permits on Marco Island?
Marco Island is its own city, so new home permits go through the City of Marco Island Building Services department rather than Collier County. Seawalls, docks and boat lifts need their own permits. We handle permitting from application through final inspection.
Do new homes in the Estates have to be elevated?
Yes. Waterfront lots on Marco Island sit in FEMA flood zones, so the finished floor of a new home must be at or above the base flood elevation, and we design with margin above that minimum. Building higher also lowers flood insurance cost. On our Orchid Court build in Marco Beach, the base flood elevation is 9.0 feet and the finished floor is at 10.1 feet NAVD.
What does it cost to build on Marco Island?
Real 2026 ranges for construction, seawalls, docks, demolition and permits, and why our cost-plus GC fee model runs lower than most quoted prices.
Read the Marco Island Cost GuideLooking at a Lot in the Estates?
Send us the address before you buy. We will check the flood zone, the seawall and the frontage, and tell you plainly what the lot will require. Both brothers read every inquiry.