By: Sooji Nam

Posted 5:48PM, June 5, 2024

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — You’ll soon be able to see the world’s tallest heart sculpture right on the Treasure Coast as crews assembled one of its largest pieces on Wednesday.

“The largest piece is about 50,000 pounds,” Celine Walsh, Mattamy Homes’ director of Amenities and Commercial Projects for the Southeast Florida division, told WPBF 25 News.

The 73-foot stainless steel sculpture was initially supposed to be complete by 2022, but there had been a delay.

Mattamy Homes project, “Heart in the Park” by Village Parkway and Discovery Way in Tradition is now slowly coming together.

Crews brought the third section of the stainless-steel heart sculpture this week, and officials said they have five more transports to go before the project is officially complete.

“The developers within Tradition make an art contribution to the city. And as a part of that contribution, Mattamy chose to do the ‘Heart in the Park’ as one large contribution,” Walsh said.

Walsh said the project cost Mattamy Homes, the master developer of Tradition, millions of dollars.

“It’s a welcomed addition, we have been waiting for two or three years since the initial concept,” Mary Milmore, who lives in Tradition, told WPBF 25 News. “I’m happy to see that it’s finally here.”

Port St. Lucie police had also helped escort the largest piece of the sculpture on Wednesday. Roads nearby were shut down as crews assembled the sculpture safely.

“Come to Port St. Lucie and see the structure of the heart when it is complete,” Milmore said.

WPBF 25 News reached out to the city of Port St. Lucie, and while Mayor Shannon Martin was unavailable for an interview, she released this statement below:

“We are thrilled to welcome JEFRË’s heart sculpture to Port St. Lucie, a symbol of LOVE and UNITY that will enhance our city’s public art, become an iconic gathering spot, and boost our local economy. Funded by Mattamy Homes, with no cost to taxpayers, this unique, interactive sculpture further illustrates Port St. Lucie’s identity as the Heart of the Treasure Coast.”

The sculpture will be complete and fully visible by fall of this year. Officials anticipate the heart and the plaza to be fully complete by spring 2025.

Article from: https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-port-st-lucie-tradition-heart-in-the-park-largest-heart-sculpture/61008404