Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra first came to Naples in 1970 — and now the Indiana natives are pleased with the finishing touches on their seventh home here.
Seven isn’t surprising considering Wilbert is a self-made success, the founder of the 50-year-old real estate development company The Hamstra Group in Wheatfield, Indiana, where he was raised. He was visiting Naples with a customer “and I liked it. I bought a lot on that trip,” he recalls. He’d go on to build his own multi-million-dollar villas, selling them to corporate titans for chart-topping sums (their Villa del Sol on Gulf Shore Boulevard sold for $21 million in 2015). The profit is nice, but Wilbert says the desire to create and build things has coursed through his veins since he was a child hammering together birdhouses.
“I just like to build things. I can’t help it,” Wilbert says. “I wanted to be a builder since I was little kid.”
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Chris Tilley
Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra have a passion for botanical gardens and verdant landscaping, and so they put a lot of consideration into the exterior execution of their home on Naples Bay, including shaded sitting areas, year-round flowering vegetation, lily pad ponds and a palm alee.
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Chris Tilley
Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra have a passion for botanical gardens and verdant landscaping, and so they put a lot of consideration into the exterior execution of their home on Naples Bay, including shaded sitting areas, year-round flowering vegetation, lily pad ponds and a palm alee.
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Chris Tilley
Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra have a passion for botanical gardens and verdant landscaping, and so they put a lot of consideration into the exterior execution of their home on Naples Bay, including shaded sitting areas, year-round flowering vegetation, lily pad ponds and a palm alee.
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Chris Tilley
Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra have a passion for botanical gardens and verdant landscaping, and so they put a lot of consideration into the exterior execution of their home on Naples Bay, including shaded sitting areas, year-round flowering vegetation, lily pad ponds and a palm alee.
5 of 9
Chris Tilley
Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra have a passion for botanical gardens and verdant landscaping, and so they put a lot of consideration into the exterior execution of their home on Naples Bay, including shaded sitting areas, year-round flowering vegetation, lily pad ponds and a palm alee.
6 of 9
Chris Tilley
Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra have a passion for botanical gardens and verdant landscaping, and so they put a lot of consideration into the exterior execution of their home on Naples Bay, including shaded sitting areas, year-round flowering vegetation, lily pad ponds and a palm alee.
7 of 9
Chris Tilley
Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra have a passion for botanical gardens and verdant landscaping, and so they put a lot of consideration into the exterior execution of their home on Naples Bay, including shaded sitting areas, year-round flowering vegetation, lily pad ponds and a palm alee.
8 of 9
Chris Tilley
Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra have a passion for botanical gardens and verdant landscaping, and so they put a lot of consideration into the exterior execution of their home on Naples Bay, including shaded sitting areas, year-round flowering vegetation, lily pad ponds and a palm alee.
9 of 9
Chris Tilley
Wilbert and Peggy Hamstra have a passion for botanical gardens and verdant landscaping, and so they put a lot of consideration into the exterior execution of their home on Naples Bay, including shaded sitting areas, year-round flowering vegetation, lily pad ponds and a palm alee.
However, their most recent home, Vista Point Estate tucked deep into Aqualane Shores on Naples Bay, is markedly different. It was designed by Stofft Cooney Architects for another homeowner before the Hamstras purchased it in 2015. The acclaimed Naples architecture firm came in to add trellises and a covered front entry for the Hamstras, who brought in Eleni Interiors outside Detroit to renovate the inside. The firm has assisted the Hamstras with several homes and a condo.
What especially needed attention was the landscape. Gardens are another passion for the Hamstras, inspired decades ago by the stunning Pierre S. du Pont Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. So they brought in Naples landscape architect W. Christian “Chris” Busk to work his magic — the third property Busk has partnered on with the Hamstras.
“I have creative ideas, but it takes an architect to do it right,” Wilbert says.
Transformation unfolded on several fronts, from expanding and relocating the driveway to adding concealing turf parking pads and marble accents in the driveway. Segmented marble walkways replaced paver paths around the property. Coconut palms were moved from a front island to create screening in the back. Two water panels — lily pad ponds that are the same grade as the ground — were added next to the entrance to create a reflective, calming mood.
Chris Tilley
Naples landscape architect Chris Busk completely redesigned a salvaged fountain made of Indiana limestone, which has become the centerpiece of the entrance to Vista Point Estate.
“I like water gardens. They give you a warm feeling. There’s some kind of peace about a water garden,” Wilbert says.
Royal palms closely lining the driveway were also relocated to create a palm alee to screen the property from a nearby residence.
“It looked like a tunnel. We moved every royal palm, including one that was 55 feet high. We had to use a crane,” Chris says.
Specimen date palms were installed at the entry and in the island, along with a fountain made of Indiana limestone that Chris located at a salvage store on the east coast that came from the Wackenhut mansion. Chris redesigned and styled the fountain bowls, adding jets and generous lighting — and it’s become a centerpiece.
“Everything has its place,” Chris says. “He wanted something flowering at all times. He loves gardens more than any client I have ever had.”
The Hamstras travel the world, recently visiting botanical gardens in Dubai and Bali.
“Thousands of people” flock to their garden in Wheatfield, Indiana, for tours and photo shoots, says Wilbert, who grew up on a farm “playing in the dirt. It probably got me inspired. It’s part of who I am.” At Vista Point Estate, a turf peninsula on Naples Bay is what Wilbert calls “the path to nowhere.”
A look inside
The interiors of the estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout. In the kitchen, two vibrant mosaics featuring peacocks lend an elegant touch of pizzazz. One interesting fact about the 6,861-square-foot Italianate estate is that there are 21 televisions indoors and out.
“Overall this private residence is a sophisticated, classic, traditional home with exquisite appointments and details. The design of the home is a curated look with tailored upholstery pieces, rich wood case goods and character pieces sprinkled throughout,” says interior designer Kate Brennan of Eleni Interiors. “Vivid blue, neutrals, textures and accents of greens, berry and touches of yellow make up this savvy color palette. The residence is very authentic and personal and filled with thoughtful details.”
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
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Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
13 of 13
Chris Tilley
The interiors of the Hamstra estate are seamlessly stunning. Vaulted ceilings, warm wood cabinets and ceiling beams and trays, plank floors, generous windows and flowing archways lend a calm, open feeling throughout.
In the great room, there is plenty of space for 50 or more family members and friends to gather in front of the drop-down, projector TV for the Super Bowl, though the 20th annual soiree is moving to the Port Royal Club next year because it’s expected to be even bigger.
Wilbert says he spends a lot time in the home office, handling philanthropic affairs. Another popular spot is the big family room, with views outside to the infinity-edge pool, hot tub and bay. The couple likes a small TV room down the hall from the office where they can relax.
“You close the doors, and it’s as cozy as can be,” he says.
An outdoor patio was enclosed with an arbor to protect it from the northeast winds and summer sun — now an ideal place to watch TV and take in the waterfront views. The four-bedroom home includes a segregated one-bedroom studio with living room for family and visitors.
Chris Tilley
Peggy and Wilbert Hamstra
Peggy, 79, and Wilbert, 80, married when she was 17 and he was 18, raising four kids in a family that has grown to include nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
In addition to masterful interiors and gardens, the couple share a passion for boating. Their property features more than 300 feet of bay frontage and a 64-foot, cut-in boat slip. Over 16 years, they clocked some 6,000 miles a year in their 63-foot motor yacht, traveling from Naples to Nova Scotia, New York, Illinois and Michigan with their captain. They have sold that yacht but travel frequently to the Keys, Tampa, Boca Grande or Miami on their 26-foot yacht, a replica of a vintage Elco Model-T docked in Naples. In Indiana, “all I see is corn crops,” he says. “I like to be near the water and I love boating.”