Jaboticaba

Plinia Cauliflora

The jaboticaba tree is a slow-growing evergreen well suited to Florida’s subtropical climate, where humidity and warmth support its steady development. It forms a compact, rounded canopy of dense, glossy foliage atop multiple short trunks covered in smooth, peeling bark that reveals shades of tan, gray, and pink.

The tree grows best in slightly acidic, consistently moist soils and responds poorly to drought or alkaline sand, making regular watering and organic mulching essential for success in most Florida landscapes. Its most distinctive feature is its cauliflorous habit—clusters of small white flowers bloom directly from the trunk and branches several times a year, followed by dark, grape-like fruit with sweet, aromatic flesh.

In South and Central Florida, jaboticabas can fruit two to five times annually when well irrigated, drawing pollinators like bees and providing fruit for birds and small mammals. Although slow to mature, a well-cared-for jaboticaba becomes a durable, low-maintenance feature that combines ornamental appeal with reliable productivity.

On August 14, 2025, partners Aaron Wilbur and Rob Cotleur joined FDOT at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new I-75 Alligator Alley Environmental Education Center. What was once a truck parking lot has been reimagined into a vibrant three-acre wetland exhibit and arboretum, offering travelers an inspiring glimpse into the beauty and complexity of the Florida Everglades.

The project welcomes visitors with plazas, shaded gathering areas, and winding boardwalks that carry guests through a functional wetland and arboretum showcasing five unique Everglades ecosystems. Along the way, educational signage, plant identification markers, and artful features including a striking 14-foot alligator sculpture and a 40-foot observation tower, invite guests to pause, learn, and take in sweeping views of the restored landscape.

More than 600 trees, 10,600 shrubs, and 17,000 aquatic plants now thrive on the site, representing 67 upland species and 13 aquatic species native to South Florida. A carefully engineered pond circulation system draws water from nearby canals and distributes it through the wetland to emulate the natural sheet flow of the Everglades. Already, this ecosystem has attracted fish, turtles, and even baby alligators, making the center not only an educational stop but a living habitat.

Beyond its environmental features, the site also offers practical amenities, including a playground, dog-walking areas, and comfortable seating giving weary motorists a chance to rest and recharge in a setting unlike any other along the interstate.

FDOT has called this one of the most innovative and challenging projects it has ever completed. With construction set to be fully complete in September 2025 and a three-year establishment period already in place, the Environmental Education Center is designed to endure. Ultimately, it will be maintained by the Department in perpetuity, ensuring that this groundbreaking project continues to educate, inspire, and restore for generations to come.

On September 22nd, 2025, the Cotleur & Hearing team, lead by George Missimer, presented the redevelopment plan for the Seacoast National Bank corporate headquarters and flagship branch location before the City of Stuart Board of City Commissioners. The proposed redevelopment plan received UNANIMOUS approval from the City Commission, as well as resounding community support due to the Bank’s long history and significant contribution to the shaping of the City of Stuart. Seacoast Bank currently occupies several buildings at the corner of US-1 and Colorado Avenue in Stuart, which have been the bank’s headquarters since 1961. The approved redevelopment plan includes the demolition of an existing 70k+ SF office building and construction of a new 58k SF office building designed by Baker Barrios, as well as a new 252 space 3 level parking garage. Seacoast National Bank traces its history back to 1926 when it was originally chartered as Indian River County Bank. The Bank first came to Stuart in 1933 as Citizen’s Bank of Stuart, and shared a building with Stuart City Hall and the Police/Fire Departments. The Bank moved to their current location in 1961 as First National Bank of Stuart. Today Seacoast National Bank is the 3rd largest publicly traded bank headquartered in Florida and retains the charm and high quality service you would expect from a small town community bank.

From Robert Cotleur and Donaldson Hearing

For more than three decades Cotleur & Hearing has been our life’s work. We are deeply proud of the projects we have created, the clients we have served, and the talented team who have built this firm alongside us. What started in 1991 as a small practice has grown into a respected firm with a strong reputation across Florida, and we could not be more grateful.

After many years of leadership planning and more than a year of thoughtful transition, we are proud to announce that Nicole Plunkett and Aaron Wilbur have been named Co-Presidents of Cotleur & Hearing. This marks an exciting new chapter for our firm, one that strengthens our leadership while staying true to the values that have guided us since 1991. Nicole and Aaron will serve alongside Design Director and Senior Partner Erin Bolin, Partner Leah Heinzelmann, and Partner George Missimer, working together with us to guide the firm’s projects, people, and clients into the future. Just as important, we want to recognize our entire team of nearly 50 professionals. Their dedication, creativity, and collaboration are the reason Cotleur & Hearing continues to deliver outstanding results for our clients and communities. Leadership sets the vision, but it is our people who bring that vision to life every day.

As founding partners, Rob and Don will continue to lead projects, mentor staff, and support our clients. This leadership transition is the culmination of years of planning to ensure the Cotleur & Hearing legacy remains strong and stable and is positioned for continued success for many years to come. We are proud of what we created and grateful for the clients and colleagues who have supported us along the way. Cotleur & Hearing has never been stronger, and we look forward to continuing to serve you with the same commitment and excellence that has always defined our work and the service we provide.

With gratitude,
Rob Cotleur and Don Hearing

Cotleur & Hearing is pleased to announce the planned expansion of the PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital, located at the northeast corner of Innovation Way and Pioneer Road within Abacoa in the Town of Jupiter. The project recently received approval from the Jupiter Town Council, paving the way for this important addition.

In partnership with Jupiter Medical Center, this 21,186 square foot addition will increase the facility’s capacity by 21 beds, bringing the total to 63, and provide a much needed boost to the regions specialized inpatient rehabilitation services. Designed by DSC Architects, the expansion continues the hospital’s contemporary architectural style, with a distinct new outpatient entry, carefully coordinated fenestration, and enhanced frontage along Pioneer Road.

The project also includes expanded parking and landscape improvements to better serve patients, staff, and visitors. As the only freestanding acute inpatient rehabilitation center in north Palm Beach County, this expansion reflects a strong commitment to meeting community demand while maintaining design excellence and long term functionality.

Cotleur & Hearing is pleased to share that the Lake Clarke Shores Park Master Plan and Design Guidelines received unanimous approval from the Town’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Lake Clarke Shores is a waterfront community in central Palm Beach County. The Town’s three parks, Memorial, Pine Tree, and North Park, play an important role as places for gathering, recreation, and reflection.

The Town engaged Cotleur & Hearing to prepare a long-range plan that would preserve these spaces while creating new opportunities for the future.

By community participation via an outreach initiative to residents called ‘Your Parks, Your Vision,’ which promoted two town-wide surveys, Cotleur and Hearing identified residents’ priorities. These priorities guided every step of the plan.

The final Master Plan and Design Guidelines provide both vision and practical direction for the Town. Cotleur & Hearing used the community feedback to shape the design approach for each park. The recommendations preserve existing character and introduce improvements that residents supported, including discovery-based play areas, shaded gathering spaces, safe pedestrian crossings, walkable paths, and scenic waterfront overlooks.

We are honored to have partnered with the Town of Lake Clarke Shores on this important project and are proud to see it move forward with full support from the CRA.

Cuban Wax Palm

Copernicia Hospita

The Cuban wax palm is a striking tropical treasure that thrives beautifully in Florida’s warm, sunny climate. Known for its smooth, gray trunk and crown of stiff, fan-shaped leaves that shimmer with a silvery sheen, it adds an elegant, sculptural presence to any landscape.

Native to Cuba, this palm has found a natural home in Florida, where its tolerance for drought, poor soils, and coastal winds makes it both hardy and low-maintenance. Though slow-growing, it can eventually reach heights of 25 to 30 feet, making it a perfect statement tree without overwhelming smaller spaces. Its waxy leaf coating helps it conserve water and gives the canopy its distinctive glow, while its adaptability ensures long-lasting beauty.

Blending resilience with exotic charm, the Cuban wax palm is a living reminder of the Caribbean’s lush heritage woven into Florida’s own tropical landscapes.

Two of our Cotleur & Hearing interns, Melissa Espinosa and Alexandra Scharch recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Solana Bay at Avenir, a new luxury residential community by Akel Homes that is actively taking shape in Palm Beach Gardens.  They had a chance to see the full scope of work that goes into creating a thoughtfully designed neighborhood from the ground up.

Cotleur & Hearing has played a key role in the development of Solana Bay, working closely with Akel Homes on model home approvals, typical lot landscape design, and a new art feature that will anchor the community’s main entry.

Melissa and Alexandra also heard directly from Alex Akel, President of Akel Homes, who shared insight into the vision behind Solana Bay and the broader Avenir development. His perspective on the homebuilding process, community design, and commitment to quality gave our interns a rare glimpse into the developer’s role in shaping the built environment.  For aspiring professionals, this type of exposure is invaluable. We are proud to help cultivate the next generation of landscape architects and planners by giving them meaningful, real-world experiences that connect vision to reality.

Cotleur & Hearing is proud to announce that the North Course renovation at The Club at Quail Ridge has been awarded 2nd Place in the Private Club category of Golf Inc. Magazine’s ‘2025 Renovation of the Year Award’.

This recognition highlights the transformation of the 50-year-old course into a modern, sustainable, and visually striking golf experience. While working within the original footprint, the redesign introduced dramatic elevation changes, re-graded fairways, and a fully reimagined landscape.

Cotleur & Hearing provided comprehensive landscape architecture, site planning, permitting, and environmental consultation services across the 155-acre site. In collaboration with Fry/Straka Global Golf, we designed a native landscape that enhances both the golf and residential experience while supporting a sustainable greenway for local wildlife. Key upgrades included native landscaping, reworked lakes, new cart paths and bridges, new greens and bunkers, improved drainage, and a modern irrigation system, all contributing to this award-winning transformation.

We’re proud to have contributed to this award-winning transformation. Congratulations to the entire project team and The Club at Quail Ridge!