Seacoast Bank: A Century-Long Martin County Legacy Worth Preserving
The future of a legacy employer’s nearly 100-year presence in downtown Stuart depends on community support.
At 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept.22, the Stuart City Commission will review and vote on Seacoast Bank’s redevelopment application to improve and expand its company headquarters.
“We encourage residents, business owners, and community leaders to attend the meeting and show support for keeping this important institution headquartered in Stuart,” says William Corbin, executive director of the Business Development Board of Martin County.
TcPalm – Seacost Bank eyes building new headquarters, parking garage along U.S. 1 in Stuart
Deep Roots in Stuart’s History
Headquartered in Stuart, Seacoast Bank, is preparing for its 100th anniversary in 2026. Its roots in Martin County trace back to 1933, when founder Dennis S. Hudson Sr. moved his small bank to Stuart at the urging of local leaders. At the time, there were no other banks between Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach. What began in shared space at the old city hall quickly grew into the forerunner of today’s Seacoast Bank, serving as a lifeline for local families and businesses during the Great Depression.
Over the decades, Seacoast became a leader in innovation and community service. By the late 1930s, it had built one of the first major commercial structures downtown. In the 1950s, it introduced Martin County’s first drive through teller window, among the first in Florida. Through generations of Hudson family leadership, the bank became Martin County’s oldest continuously operating financial institution, deeply tied to the civic and economic life of the region.
Today, Seacoast Bank is one of Florida’s leading community banking institutions.
Investing in a Future Home Right Here in Stuart
As Seacoast approaches its centennial, it is planning to redevelop its downtown headquarters at Colorado Avenue and U.S. 1. The plan includes a modern, state-of-the-art campus designed to serve customers and employees for decades to come.
Located on 8.13 acres at the corner of U.S. 1 and Colorado Avenue, the proposed three-story facility will span more than 58,000 square feet and incorporate a 90,000 square foot private parking garage.
The existing structure would be demolished.
Beyond providing the bank with much needed space, the redevelopment will create construction jobs in the short term and long-term confidence in Stuart’s downtown.
The project is a clear statement that Seacoast wants its future to remain in Stuart.
Why Approval Matters
“Seacoast Bank has shown nearly a century of loyalty to Stuart,” says Corbin. “Now, the community has the opportunity to demonstrate its loyalty in return. Approving this project will preserve local jobs, strengthen downtown, and ensure that Seacoast Bank remains a proud part of Martin County for the next hundred years.”
A Pillar of the Local Economy and Community
Despite its statewide footprint, the company has remained committed to Stuart, maintaining its headquarters here. It is the only publicly traded bank headquartered on the Treasure Coast, a distinction that brings hundreds of professional jobs, leadership, and stability to our community.
Deeply invested in the community, Seacoast had been named for seven consecutive years one of the “Top 10 Most Generous Workplaces by the United Way of Martin County.,” Employees donate both dollars and hours, living up to the bank’s promise to “invest in you and your community.” Seacoast has also earned national recognition as one of American Banker’s “Best Banks to Work For,” reflecting its dedication to its employees, many of whom live right here in Martin County.
