Willis Custom Yachts - Vessel Manufacturing and Trades (Phase 1 South Parcel)

Located at 6800 SW Jack James Drive within Martin County, the Phase 1 Parcel is about 66 acres, with the St. Lucie River bisecting the property. Willis Custom Yachts is developing a master plan in two phases. Phase 1 comprises all property located south of the St. Lucie River. The proposed improvements include a 19,800 SF open metal building canopy on land for boat maintenance, a 13,744 SF open metal building canopy on the water for boat maintenance, a 102,972 SF building for marine-related manufacturing, a 42,050 SF building with 40,000 SF for skilled trades and services, and 2,050 SF for restaurants. This development project will accommodate the growing demands of their business. The architectural design takes inspiration from marine vessel manufacturing use and a color palette reminiscent of the Florida sky and the Atlantic Ocean’s rich blue tones.  

The facility’s overall architectural design will represent the “Willis Custom Yachts” brand and implement architectural features creating a safe, comfortable, and attractive environment for the on-site workforce and focused customer type. Newly constructed buildings will have concrete tilt wall panels and low-slope roofing systems with continuous parapet conditions. Enhanced architectural features of new facilities include variations of wall panel reveals and finish treatments with a 3-dimensional parapet cornice; architectural canopy systems at customer entrances for weather protection; integrated windows and storefronts for design aesthetics; visible storefront entry conditions for customers and employees; architectural light fixtures; visible iconic logo applications; and architectural enhancements at critical locations visible or accessible to the public. Despite large areas of the property encumbered by easements that don’t allow for the planting of trees, a code-minimum number of required trees will be planted. Large areas of the property need to be paved without obstructions to allow boat maneuvering. All the existing vegetation is in preservation areas. Thus, there is no encroachment of the project into the preservation areas. Also, the proposed landscape design leverages medium to high drought-tolerant plantings and other low water-use landscape design principles. Using Native understory grasses within the dry detention areas and swales would benefit wildlife and improve water quality.