If you’ve driven down Village Parkway lately, you’ve probably seen the dust. It’s hard to miss. The Costco Tradition Port St. Lucie construction site is basically a massive hive of yellow excavators and moved dirt right now, and honestly, it’s about time. For years, people in Port St. Lucie have been trekking down to Palm Beach Gardens or up to Vero Beach just to buy a five-gallon bucket of mayo or a cheap rotisserie chicken.
It’s happening. Finally.
This isn’t just another strip mall. The project is situated on the northwest corner of Village Parkway and Anthony F. Sansone Sr. Boulevard. If you know the area, it's just south of the master-planned community of Tradition, which has been exploding with growth over the last three years. The city approved the site plan for this roughly 160,000-square-foot warehouse, and the sheer scale of the footprint is wild when you see it in person.
The Timeline: When Can You Actually Shop?
Everyone wants a date. "When does it open?" is the only question that matters to most residents. Construction officially kicked off with major land clearing in 2024, and while Florida weather—meaning hurricane season and random afternoon deluges—always plays a role, the target has been moving toward a mid-to-late 2025 opening.
Building a Costco isn't like throwing up a Starbucks. They have massive refrigeration requirements. The fuel station alone is a huge sub-project. Right now, the focus is on "horizontal construction." That’s the industry term for making the ground flat, getting the drainage right, and laying the pipes that nobody will ever see once the parking lot goes over them.
Once the slab is poured, these buildings go up fast. Costco uses a pre-engineered steel structure. It’s essentially a giant Erector Set. You’ll see the skeleton of the building appear almost overnight once the foundation is cured. If you see steel beams hitting the site, you know you’re about six to eight months out from buying a membership.
Why This Specific Spot in Tradition?
Location is everything. Port St. Lucie is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, and the "Tradition" area is the crown jewel of that expansion.
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Costco is picky. They don't just go where people are; they go where the growth is headed. By placing the Costco Tradition Port St. Lucie construction project right near I-95, they aren't just serving the 240,000 people already living in PSL. They are catching the commuters. They are catching the people moving into the thousands of new homes in Southern Grove.
- The Traffic Factor: The city had to do some serious soul-searching about traffic. Village Parkway is already busy. The plan includes significant road improvements to ensure that the influx of shoppers doesn't turn the neighborhood into a permanent gridlock.
- The Jobs: We’re looking at hundreds of jobs. Costco is famous for paying better than most big-box retailers and offering actual benefits, which is a huge win for the local economy.
Breaking Down the Site Plan
The warehouse itself is standard for the brand, but the layout is what matters for your Saturday morning errands.
It's big. Really big.
We are talking about a 160,000-square-foot facility. To put that in perspective, a football field is about 57,000 square feet. You could fit nearly three football fields inside this building.
The site includes a massive 24-pump gas station. If you’ve ever waited in the gas line at the North Palm Beach location, you know why this matters. They need the capacity. The parking lot is designed with wide stalls—another Costco staple—because they know you're going to be loading a 75-inch TV into the back of a Suburban.
There was some initial back-and-forth regarding the aesthetics. Tradition has a "look." It’s very curated. The developers worked with the city to ensure the building doesn’t look like a giant grey box. You can expect some architectural "flair" that matches the Mediterranean-Florida vibe of the surrounding commerce centers.
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What This Means for Local Property Values
Some people worry about the noise. Others worry about the lights. But historically, having a Costco nearby is like a vitamin shot for property values.
It signals to other retailers that the area is "safe." When Costco moves in, Target usually isn't far behind. Neither are the high-end coffee shops or the boutique fitness studios. The Costco Tradition Port St. Lucie construction is basically the "anchor" for the entire Southern Grove area development.
If you bought a house in Tradition five years ago, you’re likely sitting on a lot of equity right now. This project reinforces that value. It turns a "growing" suburb into a "complete" suburb. You no longer have to leave your bubble to get the essentials.
The Competition and the "Wait"
BJs and Sam's Club are already in the area. Some folks ask why we need another warehouse club.
Honestly? Because the others are packed.
Port St. Lucie has reached a critical mass where it can support all three. Each has its own cult following. But Costco brings the "Kirkland Signature" brand, which has a weirdly loyal fan base. People have been literally begging for this on Facebook groups for a decade. The fact that the dirt is finally moving is a massive relief for the "Costco-or-nothing" crowd.
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Misconceptions About the Project
I've heard people say it's going to be a "Business Center" only. That's not true. This is a full-service warehouse. That means a food court (yes, the hot dogs), an optical center, a pharmacy, and a tire center.
Another rumor was that the project was cancelled due to environmental concerns. While there are always environmental impact studies—especially with Florida’s wetlands and protected species like the gopher tortoise—the project has cleared those hurdles. The permits are active. The trucks are moving.
Actionable Steps for Residents
If you're living in or moving to Port St. Lucie, there are a few things you should do to prepare for the grand opening.
Monitor the Membership Deals
Costco often runs "New Warehouse" specials. If you aren't currently a member, wait until about two months before the opening. They often set up a temporary kiosk or trailer near the site to sign people up, sometimes offering $20 or $40 shop cards as an incentive for new members.
Adjust Your Commute Strategy
Once the Costco Tradition Port St. Lucie construction wraps up and the store opens, Village Parkway will change. If you use that road to get to work, start looking at Gatlin Boulevard or Becker Road as alternatives during peak Saturday hours. The "Costco Effect" on traffic is real, especially in the first three months after opening.
Download the App Now
If you want to track gas prices or see what’s in stock, the app is your best bet. Even before the store opens, you can see the local gas prices for the nearest locations to gauge how much you’ll save once the Tradition pumps are live.
The development of Southern Grove is a multi-year play. The Costco is just the beginning. We are looking at a future that includes more medical facilities, potentially more high-density housing, and additional retail hubs. Staying informed on the city council meetings for Port St. Lucie is the best way to see what's coming next to the vacant lots surrounding the new site.
The transformation of this corner of St. Lucie County is permanent. The transition from cattle pastures to a retail powerhouse is almost complete. Keep an eye on the steel—once it goes up, the countdown is officially on.