PORT ST. LUCIE HOMES
The rain chains shown at left gather rainfall from the compound’s massive roof system before it percolates down to a drainage system below the driveway.
Nestled into a quiet section of the North Fork
of the St. Lucie River is the only waterfront
industrial chic compound in the City of Port St.
Lucie.
After 30 years of living in Palm Beach County, Skip
and Jeanette Hartzell were looking at waterfront homes
when they noticed two empty lots across the river in
Viking’s Lookout.
“We walked the property and said, ‘This is perfect. We
have to buy this,’” says Skip.
Known as “The Dog Artist,” Skip is a sculptor and
painter who knew what he wanted, but it still took 18
months to finally hammer out the plans for the residence/
gallery, garage/guest suite and large working
studio.
“The architect kept trying to change the plans,” he
says. “I would listen to him, but I kept wrestling with
him.”
Barely visible from the street are the two buildings
connected by a covered walkway. The whole compound
is 9,000 square feet under roof and 6,000 feet under air
conditioning. The rear of the main house faces east with
windows that open completely to allow an amazing
breeze to blow in off the water and through the living
room and kitchen.
Everything is gray from the roof to the floor, Skip’s >>
HARTZELL
After decades of living and working in Palm Beach County, Jeanette and
Skip Hartzell escaped to Port St. Lucie to build their dream home on the
banks of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.
Port St. Lucie Magazine 17