From The 239 Weekly

This Naples Condo Just Became the First in the City With a Hurricane Flood Barrier

A beachfront Naples condominium is setting a new standard for hurricane protection in Southwest Florida. The Allegro Condominium recently installed the Aquafence flood protection system, becoming the first building in Naples to do so, according to WINK News.

What happened: The Allegro Condominium in Naples became the first building in the city to install the Aquafence flood barrier system, a deployable metal floodwall designed to protect the property from storm surge and flooding.

Why this building specifically

The Allegro took on 38 inches of water during Hurricane Ian in 2022, an event that knocked out the building's generator, fire panel and electrical panel on the ground floor. The building underwent an approximately $15 million renovation in the years since. Resident Tom Marth described the aftermath: "Everything was in disarray. Elevators weren't working, and then we were doing a major renovation here at the same time... so it was like I wouldn't say it was a war zone, but it kind of was a war zone here."

BuildingThe Allegro Condominium, Naples
System installedAquafence flood barrier
Prior storm damage38 inches of water during Hurricane Ian (2022)
Renovation cost since Ian~$15 million
Wind rating tested140 mph, direct ground application
Deployment timeWithin 24 hours of storm action

How the system works

Aquafence president Patrik Hansson described the system's design: "The invention itself, it's like a laptop. So it folds up, and once the water hits the system, it stabilizes the system." The barrier has been tested to withstand 140 mph winds applied directly at ground level, and it previously protected Tampa General Hospital during Hurricane Helene in 2024. The system is stored off-site and deployed as needed, typically within 72 hours before or after a storm, according to Allegro Condominium general manager Joni Cline.

How fast it deploys: The Aquafence system can be put up within a day and is stored off-site until needed. Deployment timing is based on storm activity, generally within 72 hours before or after a storm makes an approach, according to the Allegro's general manager.

What it could mean for other Naples buildings

Aquafence engineers worked with the Allegro's team alongside Naples city building, planning and fire officials to complete the installation, a process the reporting suggests could create a framework other Naples communities might follow. For buyers and owners in beachfront or flood-prone buildings, a proven, permitted flood mitigation system is the kind of resilience investment that can matter as much as square footage when it comes to long-term property value and insurability.

Why it matters beyond one building: The Allegro's installation process, worked out directly with Naples city building, planning and fire officials, creates a permitting framework that other flood-prone Naples communities could potentially follow for their own hurricane protection upgrades.
CNE Certified Negotiation Expert Broker Associate, Downing-Frye Realty 18+ Years Southwest Florida

Sourced from WINK News.

Subscribe to The 239 Weekly →