Southern Grove Development in Port St. Lucie Sells Out Years Ahead of Schedule

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A major development project in Port St. Lucie, Florida called Southern Grove is growing much faster than originally expected. When the city took over the 3,605-acre site in 2018, leaders believed it could take up to 30 years to sell and develop the property. But less than a decade later, most of the land has already been spoken for as large employers like Amazon, FedEx, and Cheney Brothers have opened distribution facilities in the area.

Why it matters

The rapid development of Southern Grove reflects Port St. Lucie's growing population and demand for jobs, services, and retail. City leaders aimed to create an employment hub where residents can live and work without leaving the city, and the project has attracted major businesses and diversified the local economy.

The details

Southern Grove is a development of regional impact located within the larger Tradition area of Port St. Lucie, near Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike. The city took control of the land in 2018 after the original developer exited the project, and created a master plan to attract major employers and build a strong jobs corridor. Since then, the area has rapidly filled with businesses, including healthcare and research facilities tied to the Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital. A Costco retail store and distribution depot have also been approved for the area, along with a new medical facility.

• The city took over the Southern Grove land in 2018.
• By the end of 2024, only about 100 acres of land remained available for purchase.

What’s next

City officials say that by the end of 2024, only about 100 acres of land will remain available for purchase in the Southern Grove development, showing just how quickly the area has filled.