Naturism Unveiled: Caliente's Grand Vision Becomes Reality

The upscale naturist resort now known as Caliente got its start when Richard LaRiviere or Hyker as he is known, the current owner of the River Boat Nudist Resort, bought a parcel of land off US 41 in Land O'Lakes between 1985 and 1987 totaling about 111 acres. On April 26, 1987 the naturist club he called Joie de Vivre or "Joy of Life" Club was born.  Over 250 guests were there to open the Blackberry Lakes property which offered the use of the property’s three lakes.  The Joie de Vivre Club included the land which later became Caliente Resort. 

LaRiviere found that developing the Joie de Vivre property would not be easy. Many methods were tried to raise the capital for building the resort including making the budding naturist business the first to be traded publicly. A master plan for the Joie de Vivre resort project was drawn up on August 5, 1987 and submitted to Pasco County for review. The plan proceeded through several stages of their development review process. When funding never materialized, the property eventually went up for sale.

Much later, in 1994, a group of four spearheaded by Bob Pinson a local real estate agent and developer got together with thoughts of developing the property. In addition to Pinson, the group included Bill Baldwin an architect and general contractor, Chuck Foster a real estate salesman and Jack DePree a noted nudist marketing professional. Both Chuck and Jack gained their experience in positions held at Paradise Lakes as did Bill who designed and built Phase III of Paradise.

The partners entered into a contract to purchase the property with a generous time frame that allowed the group time to prepare a new plan, develop interest, gain pre-sales and obtain financing.  And as the previous group had learned, financing of nudist developments was nonexistent. After several contract extensions, their time and aspirations had run out. One day after the contract expired, Carl Anderson, a Lutz health products millionaire purchased the property. 

However, through an error made by Anderson’s real estate agent, Carl only took title to part of the property. The remaining parcel was soon privately purchased and offered to the Anderson group. The offer was refused and this land was later developed into what is now called the Woods RV Resort.

Anderson purchased Pinson’s interest in the project but retained Foster, DePree and Baldwin. Tom Landers was added for his experience in hotel management. The five entered into a new partnership agreement with Anderson retaining the majority of the shares. Over time, both Landers and Foster lost interest and resigned as did DePree for health reasons. Foster ultimately returned to the team at a somewhat later date.

The Caliente name was coined by the original team over cocktails one evening at the Pinson home. After throwing around many thoughts and ideas, the word Caliente seemed the most appropriate since it portrayed the group’s objective of developing the “hottest” nudist resort in North America.

Nearly every aspect of the Joie de Vivre plan was discarded by Baldwin in his planning of the new resort. The original plan was considered unworkable because the new group envisioned a luxury resort, unlike any other that had been built. Tent and camping sites would be replaced by luxury condos and villas. A mostly primitive clubhouse would be replaced by a huge recreational facility featuring several bars, a dance club, spa and restaurants.

The Joie de Vivre plan retained an entrance off Tower Road. The new plan created a much grander spacious entrance on what is now Caliente Blvd.

Even with the added financial strength Anderson brought to the team, it was difficult to obtain financing. Neither first nor second tier lenders would touch the project. Nearly six years passed before the break came. Construction began midway through 2000 with the start of infrastructure work and the perimeter wall. The construction of the first building, the Casita Clubhouse began in the summer of 2001 and was completed by early fall. The project’s skeptics soon became optimists.

As sales poured in, the construction of the villas and condos moved forward at an accelerated pace. As soon as one building was completed and occupied another began. The team moved forward with the construction of one swimming pool and the “Si Como No” beach bar. It soon became the hub of activity every weekend for the hordes of nudists that came to experience Caliente. 

Soon construction began on the massive 33,000 square foot, two story clubhouse. This structure, the centerpiece of Caliente contains a nightclub, sports bar, piano bar and fine dining restaurant, in addition to a full spa, health club, sauna, steam room and boutique. The club overlooks an 8,400 square foot swimming pool, complete with a waterfall and tropical islands. An upper level deck, just steps away from the night club features a large conversation pool and hot tub. A grand staircase from the upper deck down to the main pool adds to the ambiance. 

In addition to the amenities named the resort also features two volleyball pools, sand volleyball, six tennis courts and petanque. A 40 unit motel, nature trail and a 50-acre lake with kayaks and canoes complete the package.

The Casita park contains many park model RV’s, most of which are privately owned. However some are available for rent through Caliente as are several motorhome RV spaces. The adjoining Casita Clubhouse contains a meeting room, showers and a full laundry for guest use.

Caliente has become a special place to visit, yet quite often discretely for many celebrities. Among others, guests have included Paris Hilton, Nichole Richie and Dennis Rodman. Many television specials and reports have been filmed at the resort.

Over the past decade several general managers have taken the helm as the resort’s general manager. Among these are Tom Landers, Hal Hawley and the current COO Steven Dorsey. Longtime friends will also remember Ernie, it doesn’t get any better than this, Duboise who worked with Chuck Foster in sales and toured potential buyers and guests. Many Paradise people also remember Deb Bowen who is the resort’s current marketing director.

Caliente also owns Caliente Caribe, a nudist resort in the Dominican Republic. 

If you would like to know more about Pasco County Naturist Activities please go to: www.NaturistCapitalUSA.org.

Many thanks to Bill Baldwin, Hyker and Jim Sweasy for their input to this article.

If you would like to know more about Pasco County Naturist
Activities please go to: www.NaturistCapitalUSA.org