Bob Melvin will say Boca Grande has not changed much since he first laid eyes on the village in the late 1970s. "That's why it's so special," he said. "It hasn't had the development of Siesta Key, Marco Island, even Sanibel". There are less than 2,500 properties. It's more laid back - and that's the beauty of it."

In 1983, Melvin decided to make Boca Grande his home. Melvin moved from Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo to the Boca Grande Club, where he excelled at selling condominiums, homes and lots on and around Boca Grande. Within five years, his reputation as a top island area Realtor allowed him to establish (1999) Gasparilla Properties, which is the Island's premier Real Estate Company located on the premier corner that he and his Boca Grande Partners also own. Melvin has brokered multi-million dollar properties including luxury beach, bay golf, residential, multi-family, commercial, and land. One of his proudest achievements is having been instrumental in the Coral Creek Club, which has a private golf and jetport for members. The course is currently ranked 27th in the state and #1 in Southwest Florida. "There are very few places where you can fly into a private jetport, play at a spectacular private golf course and live on the beach 10 minutes away".

Melvin has been an elected board Supervisor for the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, board member of the Boca Grande Child Care Center, Chairman of the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association, Bike Path Committee, member of the Fire Department, Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande Club, Boca Bay, Boca Grande Pass Yacht Club, Lemon Bay Golf Club, Lemon Bay Conservancy, as well as the Placida Rotary Club. Bob was the original founding member of the new Tom Fazio golf course in Placida, Coral Creek Club (coralcreekclub.com). "I love to give back to the community, and I like helping people - you have to remember the community that helped you become successful." Melvin has owned numerous properties in Boca Grande, Placida and Englewood, as well as building three new homes in the area, and is proud to call Southwest Florida home.

With such demanding shoes to fill it's hard to believe that he has time for anything other than business. Yet he is also well-known in the area for helping others. He gives generously of his time and resources to many local organizations, including the Boca Grande Health Clinic, the Island School, Boca Grande Child Care Center, Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association, Placida Rotary Club, Englewood Area Y.M.C.A. and the Lemon Bay Conservancy among others. The passion in this man is evident in everything he does.

Specialities

• Tropical
• Water View
• Island
• Waterfront
• Ocean