PORT ST. LUCIE — You’ll have to wait a bit longer before you can fully enjoy Tradition’s iconic monument. The highly anticipated opening event of the Heart in the Park has been delayed again.
The postponement was made to “allow for additional time to finalize preparations,” according to a Facebook announcement July 8 by Tradition. Organizers of the event didn’t provide a rescheduled date, and didn’t respond to TCPalm’s questions about why this weekend’s dedication was postponed.
The Heart in the Park is said to be the tallest heart sculpture in the world. The 73-foot, stainless steel sculpture, at the intersection of Southwest Village Parkway and Southwest Discovery Way, originally was set to open with an event July 12.
“We know how much anticipation surrounds this exciting plaza and art installation, and we truly appreciate your patience and support as we put the finishing touches in place,” the announcement said.
This is not the first time Heart in the Park has been delayed.
Heart in the Park was commissioned by Mattamy Homes in 2021 and was set to be completed in February 2022, but delays in the production and shipping of materials pushed back the opening. Construction finally began March 2024.
The $7 million sculpture was paid for by Mattamy Homes, the master developer of Tradition.
“Mattamy Homes has postponed the public grand opening event for Heart in the Park to finalize preparations and finishing touches,” said Mattamy Homes spokesperson Britney Ouzts in a statement.
Whenever the Heart is opened to the public, it will be worth the wait, Treasure Coast restaurateur Kyle Greene told TCPalm. Greene is opening his seventh restaurant, Amore Italian Chophouse, immediately adjacent to the Heart in The Shoppes at the Heart of Tradition strip mall. He plans to open in early August, he said.
“They’re trying to take their time to make sure it’s done well,” Greene said about the sculpture. “I’m sitting here now, and they’re having some guys working on it. They’ve been working on it for the past couple of days.”
Internationally acclaimed artist JEFRË, of Orlando, cuts a ribbon during a private ceremony by Mattamay Homes to unveil his Heart in the Park sculpture, reportedly the world’s tallest heart sculpture, on June 12, 2025, within the Tradition community in Port St. Lucie. Approximately 15 couples raised their glasses for a toast in a mass marriage or re-dedication ceremony at the base of the sculpture during the private ceremony. “Through COVID, through different elections, through a lot of diversity that we finally celebrate this idea of love that really pierces through all of that and helps us connect together again as a community,” JEFRË said.
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The artist behind the sculpture is Filipino-American artist Jefre Figueras Manuel, widely known as JEFRË.
A private ceremony was held at the sculpture June 12, where more than a dozen couples were married or renewed their vows.
“I hope the Heart serves not just as a visual icon but a place of gathering, celebration and emotion,” JEFRË said at that ceremony. “The Heart is here for you.”
Jack Randall is TCPalm’s economy and real estate reporter. You can reach him at jack.randall@tcpalm.com or 904-466-4755.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Heart in the Park grand opening in Port St. Lucie delayed yet again
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