The Grove in Port St. Lucie represents a transformative addition to the Treasure Coast. It brings long-awaited riverfront dining and nightlife to The Port District. This ambitious development will introduce seven unique dining and bar venues along the scenic St. Lucie River, addressing years of resident requests for a central social hub in this rapidly growing community.
Set to open in February 2027, The Grove will connect to existing Port District amenities, including boardwalks, kayak launches, event spaces, and playgrounds. The development serves both residents and visitors seeking dining, entertainment, and natural beauty in one location.
Located at 2454 SE Westmoreland Boulevard, The Grove will showcase the St. Lucie River that runs through the heart of Port St. Lucie and defines the city’s unique character among large Florida metropolitan areas.
The Grove Overview and Development Timeline
Current Status and Opening Schedule
The Grove represents a public-private partnership between the City of Port St. Lucie and SūDā Investments, with City Council approving the long-term lease agreement in January 2023. The project has gained significant momentum with the announcement of Atlas Restaurant Group as the operational partner.
📅 Key Timeline Milestones:
- January 2023: City Council approves lease agreement
- June 2023: Atlas Restaurant Group partnership announced
- September 2025: Phase 1 construction begins
- February 2027: Phase 1 opening (3 restaurants, 2 bars)
- Post-2027: Phase 2 construction adds 2 additional venues
Watch: Plans for The Grove riverfront dining at The Port District revealed
Partnership with Atlas Restaurant Group
Atlas Restaurant Group brings extensive hospitality experience to The Grove, operating more than 50 dining concepts across the country. The nationally acclaimed company started in 2010 with a deli in Baltimore’s Harbor East neighborhood and has built a reputation for methodical, responsible growth.
The partnership ensures professional management and operational consistency across all Grove venues. Atlas specializes in creating concepts that fill culinary and experiential voids in markets, making them well-suited for Port St. Lucie’s first major riverfront dining destination.
The Seven Venues: Dining and Bar Concepts
Phase 1 Venues (Opening February 2027)
Salt River – Flagship Restaurant: The centerpiece 5,800-square-foot seafood restaurant will feature a rooftop bar offering panoramic waterfront views. Salt River will focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and accommodate private events, weddings, and community gatherings.
The restaurant’s design emphasizes the connection to the St. Lucie River, creating an upscale dining experience that celebrates the region’s maritime heritage and natural beauty.
The Quad – Food Court Experience: Surrounding Salt River will be “The Quad,” an inviting courtyard featuring four distinct food stalls. Each stall will offer its own unique flavor profile and identity, creating a diverse casual dining experience.
This food court concept allows visitors to sample multiple cuisines in one location while enjoying the outdoor riverfront atmosphere.
Waterfront Tiki Bar: A dedicated tiki bar will provide relaxed drinks directly by the river, offering the ultimate casual waterfront experience. This venue will emphasize tropical drinks, outdoor seating, and unobstructed river views.
Central Bar within The Quad: An additional bar located within The Quad courtyard will serve the food stall area, creating a central gathering point for casual dining and socializing.
Phase 2 Expansion
Following the success of Phase 1, two additional casual dining venues will be added to complete The Grove’s seven-concept vision. These venues will further expand dining choices and entertainment options along the St. Lucie River.
The Grove’s Location and Setting
Port District Integration
The Grove will integrate seamlessly with existing Port District amenities, creating a comprehensive waterfront destination. Current facilities include:
- Boardwalk system connecting multiple river access points
- Kayak and canoe launch for water recreation
- Event lawn for community gatherings and festivals
- Pioneer Park playground for family activities
- Public parking and pavilions
Proximity to Regional Attractions
The Grove’s location near the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens and St. Lucie River Boardwalk positions it within an established recreational corridor. This proximity creates opportunities for extended visits combining dining, nature appreciation, and water activities.
The development sits at the heart of Port St. Lucie, addressing the city’s long-standing absence of a traditional downtown area while capitalizing on the river’s natural beauty.
Architectural Design and Atmosphere
Design Philosophy
The Grove’s design incorporates award-winning architectural firm Arquitectonica’s vision for blending indoor and outdoor dining experiences. The development emphasizes the natural beauty of the riverfront setting while creating distinct atmospheres for different dining preferences.
A canopy system will connect the various venues, allowing visitors to move between Port St. Lucie restaurants and bars while staying shaded from Florida’s intense sun. This design promotes exploration of multiple concepts during single visits.
Scenic Integration
The project prioritizes river views and waterfront access across all venues. Design elements celebrate the St. Lucie River’s role in Port St. Lucie’s history while creating modern dining experiences that appeal to contemporary tastes.
Natural landscaping and architectural features will complement the existing botanical gardens and boardwalk systems, creating visual continuity throughout the Port District.
Community Impact and Significance
Addressing Long-Standing Community Needs
Port St. Lucie residents have requested riverfront dining and nightlife options for years. As Florida’s sixth-largest city, Port St. Lucie has grown rapidly without developing the traditional downtown area found in most cities of comparable size.
The Grove addresses this gap by creating a central social hub where residents can gather for dining, entertainment, and community events. The development provides “something for the adults to hang out, do after the kids go to bed,” as noted by local residents.
Economic Development Impact
The Grove represents significant private investment in Port St. Lucie’s waterfront, complementing public infrastructure investments in The Port District. The development will create employment opportunities in hospitality, food service, and event management.
The project enhances property values in surrounding areas while attracting visitors from throughout the Treasure Coast region, supporting the broader local economy.
Community Redevelopment Strategy
Part of Larger Vision
The Grove fits within Port St. Lucie’s Community Redevelopment Agency strategy to create mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly districts. The CRA was established in 2001 to implement redevelopment activities that create central business districts and commercial town centers.
The Port District represents one of four designated community redevelopment areas, alongside projects along US 1, East Lake Village, and the Southern Grove District.
Connecting Public and Private Investment
The public-private partnership model allows the city to leverage private expertise and capital while maintaining public access to riverfront amenities. This approach has enabled The Grove’s development without requiring direct municipal funding for restaurant construction.
Getting to The Grove
Transportation and Access
The Grove’s location at 2454 SE Westmoreland Boulevard provides convenient access from major Port St. Lucie thoroughfares. The Port District includes public parking facilities designed to accommodate both daily visitors and special event crowds.
The development connects to Port St. Lucie’s boardwalk system, enabling pedestrian and bicycle access from adjacent neighborhoods and parks.
Infrastructure Improvements
Recent infrastructure improvements support The Grove’s anticipated traffic and visitor volumes. The Floresta Drive improvement project enhances connectivity to the Port District, while ongoing Community Redevelopment Agency investments improve pedestrian access throughout the area.
Planning Your Visit
Pre-Opening Preparation
While construction won’t begin until September 2025, interested visitors can explore existing Port District amenities to familiarize themselves with the area. The botanical gardens, boardwalk, and event spaces provide context for how The Grove will integrate with current facilities.
Regular updates about construction progress and vendor announcements will be available through the City of Port St. Lucie’s Community Redevelopment Agency communications.
What to Expect
When completed, The Grove will offer experiences for diverse visitor preferences:
Upscale Dining: Salt River restaurant with rooftop bar for special occasions and private events
Casual Options: Food stalls in The Quad offering quick bites and diverse cuisines
Bar Experiences: Tiki bar and central bar providing different atmospheres for socializing
Event Hosting: Facilities designed to accommodate community gatherings and celebrations
Regional Context
Treasure Coast Dining Landscape
The Grove will establish Port St. Lucie as a dining destination within the broader Treasure Coast region. The development’s scale and riverfront setting create unique advantages compared to existing restaurant clusters in Stuart, Jensen Beach, and other nearby communities.
The project’s emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and river views differentiates it from inland dining options while complementing rather than competing with existing waterfront restaurants in adjacent cities.
Tourism and Economic Development
As one of America’s fastest-growing cities, Port St. Lucie has focused primarily on residential development. The Grove represents a strategic shift toward creating amenities that support both residents and tourism, potentially attracting visitors from South Florida metropolitan areas.
The development supports broader Treasure Coast marketing efforts by adding a significant dining destination to regional tourism promotional materials.
Future Development Potential
Long-Term Vision
The Grove’s success could catalyze additional waterfront development along the St. Lucie River. The project demonstrates the viability of riverfront dining in Port St. Lucie, potentially attracting additional hospitality and entertainment investments.
Future phases could include expanded event facilities, additional recreational amenities, or complementary retail developments that build on The Grove’s dining foundation.
Community Growth Response
As Port St. Lucie continues rapid population growth, The Grove provides a model for creating community gathering spaces that serve diverse demographics. The project’s mixed-use approach, combining dining, entertainment, and recreation could inform future development in other parts of the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will The Grove open to the public? Phase 1 of The Grove is scheduled to open in February 2027, featuring three dining venues and two bars. Construction will begin in September 2025, with Phase 2 adding two more venues after the initial opening.
How many restaurants and bars will The Grove include? The Grove will feature seven total venues – restaurants and bars offering everything from upscale dining to casual food stalls and waterfront drinking experiences. Phase 1 opens with five venues, with two additional concepts added in Phase 2.
Who is operating the restaurants at The Grove? Atlas Restaurant Group, which operates more than 50 dining concepts nationwide, will provide operational support and management expertise. Atlas brings extensive experience in creating unique dining destinations that serve local communities.
How does The Grove connect to existing Port District amenities? The Grove integrates with current Port District facilities, including boardwalks, kayak launches, event lawns, playgrounds, and parking. Visitors can combine dining with recreation, water activities, and community events in one location.
What makes The Grove unique compared to other Treasure Coast dining? The Grove’s riverfront location, seven-venue concept, and integration with recreational amenities create a comprehensive destination rather than standalone restaurants. The emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and diverse dining price points serves both residents and visitors.
Is The Grove part of a larger development plan for Port St. Lucie? Yes, The Grove is part of the Community Redevelopment Agency’s strategy to create mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly districts throughout Port St. Lucie. The project demonstrates the public-private partnership approach being used to develop central business districts in this rapidly growing city.
