A 1.51 acre property in downtown Orlando comprised of five separate lots [Gmap] will possibly be transformed into a 3,000 SF building 208 foot tall building with attached 445 SF space parking garage (PD listed HERE).
The developer is asking for a density bonus that could allow 604 units even though they’re only looking to build 325, versus the now allowed 302 units.
Since the proposed project apparently is consistent with the City’s Growth Management Plan policies and provides concentrated residential, commercial and office facilities it looks like it will be approved.
93%+ average occupancy
Jeffery, I appreciate your comment, but I only counted two reasons, not the three main factors that you referred to in your first sentence. Unless racism and snobbery are not combined as #2 and are actually # 2 & #3. Regarding this last point, rents at newer high density apartments downtown typically range from $1,300 to $1,700 for 1 bedroom units, 1,800 to 2,100 for 2 bedroom , and 2,300 to 2,700+ for 3 bedroom units. With increasing land and country too on cost rents downtown will only go up. These are upscale apartments being proposed downtown not affordable housing. So I’m not sure the racism/snobbery argument applies for these apts,
I totally get that and you know that I am In full support of Dow town development, but with developments going in all over the downtown area, is are these projects right sized and sustainable? Will they fill or sit vacant?
Not true man. We oppose it because history is what makes cities great not more buildings. Stop acting like a know it all and trying to angle racism as the reason we oppose bulldozing history for banal expansion.
I’ll tell you why, there are 3 main factors at play here as I see it. One, there seems like there’s a certain faction in town that wants to freeze our community and prevent any further growth. These particular people are fairly stupid. Our entire system is predicated on growth (not always a positive). Our population will continue to explode and all those people will need somewhere to live. I guess those that demand “no high-density” would prefer we bulldozed what’s left of natural Florida so that they don’t have to accept physical change.
Talking of change, that brings me to reasons number two and three that some seem to have for fighting “high density”. These of course are racism and snobbery. You see, many local wealthier whites have grown accustomed to a widely segregated city that keeps Blacks and Latinos and white renters in “their part of town” and out of our almost completely white upper middle-class urban neighborhoods. More high rise apartments mean more social and racial diversity in these neighborhoods…those are the REAL REASONS so many oppose projects like this one.
I don’t understand why anyone is against vertical construction downtown. It’s a DOWNTOWN for God’s sake! There are plenty of other options in Orlando if you want a quaint Main Street vibe. Downtown should be the focal point of the city, with as much density and vibrancy as possible. More residents, more restaurants, more retail…more everything. Build baby build!!!
Maria, I encourage you to research it. Occupancy rates are very high.
I am all for high denisty development downtown, but this developer is requesting that the City give them both bonus denisty (to add 25 additional units) and at the same time also requesting that the City significantly reduce their parking requirement?! 445 parking spaces 325 units plus 3,000 sf of retail is only like 1.25 spaces per unit for the residential portion of the project. This is way too low! This area of downtown already has a shortage of parking. The only two surface parking lots are also being developed soon. Parking in this area of dontown is going to be a nightmare! The City should not provide either bonus density or a reduction in parking in this area! That is really poor planning. The City thinks the Lymmo will offset the lack of parking here. Anyone who lives or has a business in or around this area should oppose these variance requests. To get bonus density, they should actually have to bulld one extra parking space above the code minimum. BTW: the code minimum of 1.5 spaces per unit is already way too low. The minimum parking ratio should be closer to 1.7 spaces per unit. Plus, they really should have to bulld more parking for the retail as well. If you ar concerned about the lack of parking (and bonus density) in this part of downtown, you should write to or call Patty Sheehan and the Planning Staff and let them know your concerns on this item asap
Any idea on who the developer is and which architects are they using?
Hmmmm
Jeffery, I go almost everywhere by bike or walking. I moved to Thornton Park 6 months ago and started biking/ walking most places for environomental reasons. Now I do it because its just so much enjoyable than driving. Location matters for connectedness and thats why this and the other 2 simialar projects planned for this area are so great.
Keep me posted.
I believe apartments, but not 100% certian
I’m for it
Wanhhh! I’m devastated…not really.
I live in 55 West and I can state with certainty that the building is occupied at least 90%. It is certainly full.
Do you commute by bike Nate? If you do…that’s awesome!
When dealing with the likes of you? Yeah…pretty much. 😉
Because people love living here! It’s an easy bike ride to the Exchange Building.
Great news! More “vertical concrete” downtown please! High-density development is great for our urban core and those areas served by SunRail. Our population is predicted to double in the next 25+ years. Where is everyone going to live if we stop building up?
They’ll be forced to live in more and more suburban/rural residential developments if these “no high density” loons have there way. Our drinking water will be completely gone (along with our natural Florida), Black Bears and Alligators will be eating more of our pets (and children) if they are still here at all, and it will take HOURS to drive across a toxic sprawl of a town.
A dense urban core means a downtown and surrounding community worth living in. More green space, more development and use of public transportation, more sense of “community”, more opportunity. As an added bonus, those that still own single-family residences in the core will see their home values skyrocket…not withstanding what some fools in Winter/College Parks would have you believe.
Why is Orlando’s growth into a cosmopolitan “world” city sad? Nostalgia is usually not a constructive emotion.
Jeffrey, or shall I say Jerk, are you always this pompous and arrogant?
Great to hear then.
Almost completely full…next!
I love that space (and the 200 yr old tree) but I would almost guarantee that it’s going. It’s really the City’s fault…they should have purchased the park from the owners decades ago. Alex is right BTW, high rises create more opportunity for green spaces…not less.
Cry me a river dude. Want a “mid-sized city”? Move to Sanford or Mt. Dora.
SkyHouse Orlando (I live there as well) is almost completely full. So is 55 West. There’s a misconception out in the ‘burbs that downtown’s residential buildings are ’empty’. Not reality.
Amen John! This town seems to be filled right now with so many naysayers that have lived with the apparent delusion that this community would stop developing once they moved here and were satisfied with it!
BTW, the reason that Downtown’s buildings are so “short and stumpy” is the Orlando Executive Airport. OEA’s current location means that the FAA stipulates nothing higher than the Sun Bank building can ever be built downtown. It sucks, and it’s high time this City demanded that OEA relocate further afield (may I suggest Lake County?).
As a resident of downtown, I regularly witness small planes come WAY TO CLOSE to the high rises. It’s just a matter of time until some novice pilot makes a fatal error…and kills a shitload of us with him. MOVE THE ORLANDO EXECUTIVE AIRPORT.
Tall buildings and parks aren’t mutually exclusive and actually complement each other really well. Building a high-rise on one lot can help save a park on another lot.
Hey Tracy we messed up the parking garage number, it’s really 445 parking units not SF. The 3,000 SF number is from their PD – but we’re a little confused by it as well. We’re updating the post to reflect it. Sorry for any confusion!
John Ocampo, so sorry for the confusion, it’s actually a 445 space parking garage – we were wrong. The PD says “3,000 SF” in the copy though, so we’re assuming that means the basic footprint – but it does seem off, we agree. We’re updating the posting to try and clarify.
I’m in favor of the city’s growth; I say go gang busters and let’s out shine Miami ,NYC , etc ..we got the space , and we still have many suburban and rural areas left .
What great news. If we build 10 more of these Orlando may become a place where people can both live and work. It’s hundreds of people sitting at happy hour who don’t care about I-4 Ultimate.
That’s great news!
I live in SkyHouse Orlando. Last time I asked occupancy was over 90% for this 23 story high-rise near Lake Eola.
Ryan
I don’t doubt that, Peter, but 55 W isn’t Thorton Park…for what little that may be worth. I’m no debbie downer though, I’d be thrilled to find that all the downtown buildings are full.
Got a source on that?
Over 90%. With wait-list.
I’m going to the Constitution Green rally on Sat. I’d rather buildings go higher than wider.
I honestly wonder what is the occupancy rate with all these units downtown as well…. Seriously!!
Chris Murphy
Keep building in downtown, but what is the occupancy rate at say 55 West? Id be shocked if it was over 50%.
Good GOD more people!? I guess this is better than urban sprawl….and with sea-level rise…we’ll have to make room for those folks in Miami, since they’ll be underwater ;( Just sad though… Ugh Shane Pagano 🙁
Enough already!!! Some of us don’t want Orlando to become another Miami! What is so wrong about a mid sized city?
I was just thinking Thornton Park needs more vertical concrete. Double ugh.
3,000 SF? 445 SF? These numbers don’t make sense to me.
No.
God forbid we become a real city