Riley Lehman
•8/27/2026
NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—A Naples beachfront condominium is setting the standard for hurricane protection in Southwest Florida.
The Allegro Condominium recently installed the Aquafence flood protection system, designed to safeguard against flooding. The complex is the first in Naples to install the system.
The Aquafence is a tall metal barrier that uses floodwall and flood barrier technology to protect residences and critical property during storms. Residents hope it will reduce their vulnerability to future storms after Hurricane Ian severely damaged the property in 2022.
The building took on 38 inches of water, knocking out the building generator, fire panel and electrical panel on the ground floor. Residents say living through the storm and the aftermath was a stressful time.
"Everything was in disarray. Elevators weren't working, and then we were doing a major renovation here at the same time, about a $15 million renovation of the whole building, so it was like I wouldn't say it was a war zone, but it kind of was a war zone here," said Tom Marth, an Allegro resident.
The Allegro Condominium has spent years recovering and rebuilding. The Aquafence system is a long-term solution.
"The invention itself, it's like a laptop. So it folds up, and once the water hits the system, it stabilizes the system," said Patrik Hansson, Aquafence president. "It's been tested for 140 mile an hour wind direct on ground, and that's the most we could test for it."
The Aquafence protected Tampa General Hospital during Hurricane Helene in 2024. It is stored in an off-site facility and deployed when needed.
The system can be put up within a day, protecting residents and their assets from flood damage. Joni Cline, Allegro Condominium general manager, said deployment will be based upon any hurricane action.
"It will be based upon any hurricane action, basically any storms that come into play, whether it's 72 hours before a storm or 72 hours after a storm," Cline said.
Aquafence engineers worked with Allegro's team, along with city building, planning and fire officials on the project. They say this will create a framework for other Naples communities to pursue similar flood protection systems.
