Living in Florida's Space Coast
Horti
Horti is not a marketing name. It is the plat name, taken from Horti Point, a headland on Merritt Island recorded on federal maps of Brevard County. Locally people say Horti Point. The addresses are on Newfound Harbor Drive, roughly three miles south of State Road 520, on lots that run from a quarter acre to nearly a full acre.
Horti In Merritt Island, Florida
First, the name, because it confuses almost everyone. Horti Point is a genuine geographic feature, a headland on Merritt Island carried in the federal geographic names record for Brevard County, and the small plat that sits on and around it took the name. There is no Horti Boulevard and no entrance sign. Every property is addressed on Newfound Harbor Drive, and neighbors will tell you they live at Horti Point.
Newfound Harbor is the broad protected water on the east side of South Merritt Island where Sykes Creek runs down toward the Banana River. Newfound Harbor Drive threads between them, which is why the water story here has two sides. Some homes take the sunrise off the open harbor and the Banana River. Others sit on the Sykes Creek side and get the evening light. Both directions carry navigable access.
The houses are 1960s through 1980s concrete block, and they have been aggressively reworked. The range runs 1,656 to 3,702 square feet, most around 2,207, three to five bedrooms, two car garages. What separates the renovated ones is the outdoor build: summer kitchens with granite, outdoor wet bars, fire pits, boat lifts, and in one case a private elevator. Impact glass has gone into several.
There is no association here at all. No dues, no board, no design review, nothing recorded that governs the group. Utilities are public water with septic on most parcels, though at least one property runs public sewer. On lots this size that difference is worth confirming before you plan a pool or an addition, because setbacks to a drainfield can dictate a whole backyard layout.
Pricing runs wide. A dry or unrenovated house has traded in the mid 300s, while the finished waterfront properties have gone from the low millions up toward 1,550,000, with the middle sitting near 1,320,000. Price per square foot here runs around 419, the highest of any small plat in this part of the island, and that number tells you the land and the frontage are carrying the value.
Horti At A Glance
Horti Point at a glance, since there is no sign at the entrance.
| Detail | What you get |
|---|---|
| Location | Newfound Harbor Drive, about three miles south of State Road 520, Merritt Island 32952 |
| Named for | Horti Point, a headland on Merritt Island in the federal geographic names record |
| Built | 1967 to 1987, with the middle around 1981 |
| Home size | 1,656 to 3,702 square feet, about 2,207 in the middle |
| Bedrooms | Three to five bedrooms, two to four baths |
| Lot size | 0.26 to 0.93 acre, most near two thirds of an acre |
| Construction | Concrete block, shingle roofs, mostly single story |
| Association | None. No association, no dues and no architectural review |
| Utilities | Public water, septic on most parcels with public sewer on at least one |
| Price range | About 372,000 to 1,550,000, middle near 1,320,000 |
| Price per square foot | Around 419 dollars |
| Water frontage | River frontage on Newfound Harbor toward the Banana River and on the Sykes Creek side |
| Docks and lifts | Boat lifts on several properties, at least one with a slip |
| Pools | In ground pools on most of the waterfront homes |
| Garage | Two car |
| Storm protection | Impact windows on several homes |
| Gated | No |
| Age restricted | No |
Horti Details
A Real Place Name
Horti Point appears in the federal geographic names record as a headland on Merritt Island, which is why the plat carries a name that sounds like nothing else on the island. If you cannot find a subdivision entrance, that is because there is not one.
Water On Two Sides Of The Road
Newfound Harbor Drive runs between the harbor and the Sykes Creek side. That means the choice between sunrise over open water and sunset over the creek is a real decision here, not a theoretical one. Walk both before you decide.
Land Is Carrying The Price
At roughly 419 dollars a foot, the houses are not what you are paying for. Lots up to nearly an acre with navigable frontage on a quiet stretch of road are the asset. Price the dirt and the water first, then value the structure.
Built For The Outside
The renovated homes here lean hard into outdoor living: covered summer kitchens with granite and seating, wet bars, fire pits, big paver decks around the pool. In this climate on a two thirds acre waterfront lot, that is where the money goes.
Nothing Governing You
No association means no dues, no design review and no rental board. County code applies and nothing else, since Merritt Island is unincorporated Brevard County. On a four property stretch, that suits most of the people who buy here.
Septic On Big Lots
Most parcels run septic with public water. On a lot approaching an acre that is generally comfortable, but locate the tank and drainfield early if a pool, an addition or a detached garage is in your plan.
Homes For Sale In Horti
Current listings on and around Newfound Harbor Drive at Horti Point are below. With only a handful of properties in the plat, it is worth watching the wider Newfound Harbor corridor at the same time.
Horti Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Horti mean?
It comes from Horti Point, a headland on Merritt Island carried in the federal geographic names record for Brevard County. The small plat around the point took the name. Locally, people call the area Horti Point rather than Horti.
Where exactly is Horti Point?
On the east side of South Merritt Island, along Newfound Harbor Drive about three miles south of State Road 520. Newfound Harbor is the broad water where Sykes Creek runs down toward the Banana River, and the point sits on that shoreline.
Is there a homeowners association?
No. There is no association, no dues, no architectural review and nothing recorded that governs the group of properties. Brevard County code is the only authority, since Merritt Island is unincorporated.
Can I keep a boat here?
Yes, on the waterfront parcels. Several already have lifts and at least one has a slip. Frontage here is navigable, with access north through Sykes Creek to the Canaveral Barge Canal and the lock at Port Canaveral.
Why is the price per square foot so high?
Because you are buying land and frontage more than structure. Lots run up to nearly an acre with navigable water, and the houses themselves are modest mid century block homes that have been renovated. The dirt is doing the work at roughly 419 dollars a foot.
Are the homes on septic or sewer?
Most run septic with public water, though at least one property in the plat is on public sewer. Confirm which you are buying, because it affects setbacks, future additions and where a pool can physically go.
What permits are required for a dock or lift?
You file a Residential Marine Construction permit with Brevard County Planning and Development for a dock, a seawall or a lift. Shoreline work gets a Natural Resources review on top of that, and the survey has to be current within 180 days.
How long does it take to get to the beach?
Newfound Harbor Drive runs north to State Road 520 in about seven or eight minutes, and the causeway carries you east to Cocoa Beach in roughly another ten. Going south, the Pineda Causeway to Suntree and I-95 is about twenty minutes.
Newfound Harbor Drive, Merritt Island 32952
From State Road 520 you head south on Newfound Harbor Drive and run roughly three miles. The road follows the shoreline through a quiet residential stretch with no commercial frontage and no through route, so traffic is almost entirely people who live out here. Horti Point is the headland the plat is named for, and the addresses sit on and around it.
State Road 520 and the Merritt Island retail corridor are seven to ten minutes north, with Cocoa Beach roughly twenty minutes east across the causeway. State Road 528 and Port Canaveral are a longer run north, around thirty minutes. Heading south, the Pineda Causeway reaches Suntree and I-95 in about twenty. Orlando International is roughly an hour.
Near Horti In Merritt Island
Considering Horti?
Four properties, no association, no sign, and a name almost nobody outside the island recognizes. Buying here means knowing the frontage, the septic layout and what the county will let you build before you write anything. My partner Nichole and I work Newfound Harbor Drive and can tell you which side of the road you actually want. Call or text (321) 212-7676.
