A major move in Naples’ luxury real estate market has local property watchers taking notice: a co-founder of an ETF firm recently completed a roughly $55 million purchase of a waterfront estate in the exclusive Port Royal neighborhood, underscoring continued demand among ultra-high-net-worth buyers.

The buyer, along with his wife, is a co-founder of Innovator Capital Management, a firm well known in investment circles for its exchange-traded fund strategies. That firm was acquired by Goldman Sachs in late 2025 for about $2 billion, putting it squarely in the spotlight among ETF innovators.

What’s Behind the Deal

The Port Royal estate purchased by the couple is a six-bedroom, waterfront property spanning nearly 15,000 square feet. Built in 2017, it offers classic luxury features, including:

  • Private dock on Cutlass Cove

  • Outdoor pool and recreational spaces

  • Gym, game room and expansive gardens

  • Large, elegant interior rooms with panoramic views

The home had been listed around $60 million before the sale. The sellers were another high-wealth couple from Illinois with ties to private equity leadership.

This purchase adds to a growing list of high-dollar transactions in Naples’ luxury market. Just last year, Naples recorded one of the most expensive home sales in U.S. history — topping $225 million — reflecting the city’s appeal to affluent buyers.

Why It Matters Locally

For local real estate professionals, this transaction is more than just a headline figure — it’s part of a broader pattern:

  • Port Royal remains the highest-tier residential market in Southwest Florida.

  • Naples continues to attract buyers with global business ties, especially from finance and tech sectors.

  • Luxury market resilience suggests continued confidence in Naples as both a primary residence and investment destination.

Unlike broader luxury markets that have cooled in some parts of the U.S., Naples has remained stable at the ultra-luxury end. Deals like this illustrate not only sustained demand but also the city’s ability to pull significant investment dollars from outside the region.

Who Bought the Home

The buyer behind this Port Royal acquisition was a co-founder and executive at Innovator Capital Management, a firm recognized for developing niche ETF products and defined-outcome strategies. His leadership there helped build a product suite that attracted institutional and individual investors alike; that success was a key factor in Goldman Sachs’ decision to acquire the firm.

Following the acquisition by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, the executive is expected to remain in a leadership role — a sign that the firm’s ETF momentum will continue even after the transition.

Market Takeaways

This $55 million sale reinforces several Naples real estate trends:

  • Security of ultra-luxury pricing despite broader economic uncertainty.

  • Continued participation from financial industry buyers relocating or expanding seasonal holdings in Southwest Florida.

  • Port Royal’s status as a magnet for top-tier wealth, further boosting the area’s profile nationally.

For Naples brokers, developers and luxury service providers, transactions like this spotlight the importance of tracking high-net-worth migration, offshore wealth flows, and how major financial sector movements can ripple into local real estate demand.