Stwards – a proposed business and housing development of $ 200 million, won steam on Thursday, followed by an emotional reaction by the owner of the property.
Mario Murgado took a moment to gather his emotions after the local planning agency recommended that the City Commission approve of its proposal. It is unclear when the commission will consider it.
“I appreciate the support to move to the next step,” Murgado said, adding that he was trying to please anyone who could be affected by the project while taking care of the business.
Details of the project
Murgado partnered with real estate developer Jay Jacobson to bring three luxury car dealerships, 249 apartments, probably Starbucks, as well as commercial space up to about 35 acres of US 1 between the streets of southeastern India and Southeast pomegranate.
Murgado already owns the dealers of Audi, Maserati, Infiniti and Alfa Romeo in Stewart. Jacobson is the co -founder of Eden Multifamily, a housing company for development and investment with offices in Miami and Charlotte.
Two objects were before the local planning agency on Thursday. One was a change in the use of land to about 23 of 35 acres. The second consolidated 12 more acres with 23.
Business owner Mario Murgado spoke with members of the Local Stuart Planning Agency on March 13, 2025 for his plans to bring new car dealerships, 249 apartments and other retail spaces to 35 acres between the streets of Southeast India and Southeast Powder.
The change in land use was recommended for approval with a vote of 4-1, with Vice-President Diana Peterson opposed.
The member of the local planning agency Werner Bols is absent.
Some criticism
“There is nothing coastal,” Peterson said in one of his criticism, citing how the project fails to fit into the character of Stuart as a small coastal city.
Therefore, Murgado and Jacobson need to change the design in order to fit the local landscape, a condition for the approval of the local planning agency. The second condition for approval is that they meet again with the residents of Golf Club Willoughby, which is only west of the proposed project.
Stewart already has enough apartments and other homes, she said, and the new city commissioners, selected in August, are opposite, to a minimum of apartments.
And some excitement
But member of the local planning agency Margaret Bromfield was excited by the project “Because here is someone who wants to develop and provide a home, not just another storage department,” she said.
Members of the Local Planning Agency of Stuart Lance Vogl (left), Deputy Chairman Diana Peterson, Chairman Kelly Lorin, Ryan Strom and Margaret Bromfield at a meeting on March 13, 2025 in the mayoralty.
“Still talk to Willobi and see if there are other accommodation places you can do,” she instructed Murgado and Jacobson. “But I think if we are reasonable, a lot of thought was embedded in this,” she said, “making room for walks, having a pleasant layout.
“We are complaining all the time that we need a home in Stuart,” Bromfield said.
More support
The member of the local planning agency Ryan Strom was also supportive.
Willoughby residents were concerned that apartment tenants could see in their homes, the problem that Strom Feet Feel Feets was adequately addressed in the most design of the project.
The residents of Willoughby are also concerned about the noise from the community of apartments affecting their game on the golf course, and Strom said he believes the design is about it.
“Of all the iterations (of this project) I have seen,” said Strom, “This is the best.”
The traffic will be smaller than for the large box trading store, Strom said. Once in the same place, a large boxer is proposed.
Murbado’s reputation preceded his participation in Stewart years ago, added Strom, who was impressed then and remained so, he said.
“Here we have a group that is ready to invest a considerable amount of money for the city of Stewart in a very unique way and style,” he said.
Allowing higher buildings from a previous limit is something that is willing to do, he said.
Other vote
The consolidation of the two plots was also recommended for approval with 3-2 votes, such as Peterson and Lance Vogl’s disagreement.
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What enters the commercial space was concerned because any type of business – such a paint shop – can sign a lease, he said.
But Murgado guarantees that no paint store would give commercial space there, because it is important who his neighbors are. His investment in Stuart’s Audi, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Infiniti stores was $ 400 million, he said.
Keith Burbank is a TCPALM guard reporter covering Martin county. It can be reached on Keith.burbank@tcpalm.com and 720-288-6882.
This article originally appeared in Treasure Coast newspapers: a $ 200 million dealership proposal for Stewart wins grip