From WaveGarden surf pool to Amazon facilities, here's the latest in local development

Laurie K. Blandford, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·4 min read

Big things are coming to the Treasure Coast.

From an artificial wave pool to Amazon facilities, construction is booking across St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River counties.

Here’s a look at the latest local developments as of this summer.

The nation’s largest “WaveGarden,” a simulated surfing park, is slated to come to Midway Road as a part of a 200-acre community development
The nation’s largest “WaveGarden,” a simulated surfing park, is slated to come to Midway Road as a part of a 200-acre community development

WaveGarden

Fort Pierce already is home to a popular surf spot: the north jetty.

But an artificial wave pool, part of a recently proposed development on Midway Road, could elevate the city to an even more popular surfing destination.

It would be the world’s largest surf park. Work could be under way by the end of the year on one of the city’s most anticipated projects.

World's largest surfing park: Fort Pierce OKs early stages of $595 million Wavegarden

WaveGarden: Wave pool could make Fort Pierce a surfing destination in Florida

Revised King's Landing plans call for increasing the height of the tallest building from eight stories to 11. The City Commission is expected to review the new blueprints in January.
Revised King's Landing plans call for increasing the height of the tallest building from eight stories to 11. The City Commission is expected to review the new blueprints in January.

King’s Landing

The $140 million King’s Landing project in Fort Pierce is one step closer to final approval for taller buildings.

Revised plans increase the tallest King's Landing building from eight stories to 11 and add a three-story, 170-space parking garage.

King's Landing — a mix of a hotel, restaurants, shopping and housing on 7½ acres downtown between Indian River Drive and Second Street on the site of the former H. D. King Power Plant — could be completed by November 2026.

King's Landing: Fort Pierce City Commission gives first approval for taller buildings

Amazon

Another Amazon delivery station is coming to St. Lucie County.

Amazon already has two facilities here: a fulfillment center under construction in Midway Business Park in northern Port St. Lucie and a delivery station opened in King’s Highway Industrial Park in 2019.

The fulfillment center is expected to be completed this fall, and the Legacy Park delivery station could be operating by September.

Amazon: Treasure Coast will have three Amazon facilities

Elev8 Fun

Go-karting, bowling, ax throwing and roller skating are coming to the Treasure Coast Square mall.

Elev8 Fun, an amusement center, is expected to open at the beginning of next year in the former Sears store in the Jensen Beach mall, said founder David Goldfarb, of Miami.

It’s going to be his company’s third location in Florida — all at malls, intentionally, and all in former Sears locations, coincidentally.

Elev8 Fun: New amusement center is coming to Treasure Coast Square mall in Jensen Beach

Distilleries

Two new distilleries are set to open this year within 2 miles of each other.

They literally will put the Treasure Coast on the map of the Florida Distillery Trail, drawing craft spirit lovers to the region from across the state.

Indian River Distillery will be on Aviation Boulevard, next to the Flat Dog Diner, near the Vero Beach Regional Airport, while 21st Amendment Distillery will be on 13th Avenue in downtown Vero Beach.

Distilleries: Treasure Coast's first 2 distilleries put area on tourism map

Restaurants

Local restaurateur Kyle Greene is opening a fifth location on the Treasure Coast.

Greene is opening another Oak & Ember Steakhouse in downtown Stuart.

He opened his first restaurant, Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steaks, in September 2017 on Ocean Drive in Jensen Beach.

New restaurant: Kyle G to open Oak and Ember in downtown Stuart where LouRonzo's closed

Atlantic Point

Downtown Stuart is expect to get a new yacht club and marina late next year.

The $80 million Atlantic Point Yacht Club and Marina would include a boat barn, grab-and-go-style restaurant and ship store.

Before it was approved, developers nixed a controversial, 83-foot decorative lighthouse from the plan.

Atlantic Point: Stuart OKs $80 million yacht club, marina on St. Lucie River

Hudson’s on the River

Its name now is Hudson’s on the River, and the waterfront seafood restaurant is poised to open in about two weeks as successor of the much-beloved Pelican Café.

Hudson’s will differ from Stuart Boathouse — which also is owned by local restaurateur Michael Matakaetis — with its “Asian and island-influenced” dishes featuring vinaigrette and citrus sauces.

Hudson's on the River: New restaurant ready to open in Stuart in shadow of Pelican Café controversy

Three Corners

A master conceptual plan is approved for Vero Beach's city-owned Three Corners site at Indian River Boulevard and 17th Street.

The plan — which comprises a hotel, shops and restaurants along a waterfront promenade — still needs voter approval in November before commercial development there can begin.

Three Corners: Vero Beach's next step is gauge developers' interest in master plan

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmLaurie and Facebook @TCPalmLaurie. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Here's the latest about WaveGarden, Amazon, all local development