Sunset Island Community Honors Visionary Developer Tom Natelli and Natelli Communities with Commemorative Plaque
December 16, 2024

The Sunset Island community gathered last fall to honor Tom Natelli and Natelli Communities for their instrumental role in bringing to life one of Ocean City’s most cherished resort communities. In a tribute to Natelli’s vision and dedication, the Sunset Island Community Association Board of Directors unveiled a commemorative plaque on the island’s northwest point this summer, commemorating the legacy Natelli and his team have left on the community.
The plaque includes an aerial photo of the entire island community and reads:
The Sunset Island Community Association Board of Directors expresses their deep appreciation to Tom Natelli and his team for the development of Sunset Island, the premier resort community in Ocean City, Maryland.
In the early 2000’s Tom Natelli envisioned a setting for what would become Sunset Island, a 37 acre parcel in Ocean City at the end of 67th Street, surrounded by the Assawoman Bay. The spectacular sunsets speak for the community name. After lengthy research and planning, Natelli Communities set out to design and community that would be reminiscent of the great small beach towns of the American seaside. A place where narrow streets slow traffic, alleyways and cars take a back seat to leisurely strolls on friendly sidewalks, front porches create a serene sense of township, and kids can play and walk freely – A slower pace of life.
Through thoughtful neo-traditional design principles, the Natelli team artfully organized public spaces and beach style homes around the perimeter of the island, taking full advantage of the spectacular views. These same views are also captured through pocket parks with open views from the center of the island to the bay, providing those on the interior of the island with the same added bonus.
Today, Sunset Islanders take full advantage of the natural beauty of the island with a world class clubhouse, mile-long pathway encircling the island, marine, fishing pier and sandy beaches. Family walks along tree lined streets to the island’s general store, a splash at the interactive fountain, a plunge into the pool, movie nights on the beach or bar and grille service on the island’s edge are just some of the attractions. Taking in the beautifully themed architectural details and color palettes are one of a kind. We are grateful to Tom Natelli and his team for their care and sensitivity in creating this jewel of a community with just under 500 residences. It’s no wonder Sunset Island embraces the small town ideals that Natelli Communities set forth to design for generations to come – the hallmark of their award winning reputation is based on thoughtful planning, timeless design and attention to detail
About Natelli Communities: For more than 40 years, Natelli Communities has continued to build on its reputation as a premier developer of master-planned communities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States. Thoughtful Planning, Timeless Design, and Attention to Detail are the hallmarks of Natelli’s award-winning reputation. Visit https://natellicommunities.com for more information.
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