We told you HERE in September 2023 that the former Armstrong Lock and Security building in Mills 50 had sold to a restaurateur for $3.14 million, according to the listing agent, Alex Bisbee, Insite Real Estate, Inc.
At that time, Faiyaz Kara broke the news via Orlando Weekly that the new owner was none other than Juan Rios, of Agave Azul, who was planning to open a new “live fire restaurant” concept inspired by the indigenous cuisine of the Yucatan Peninsula. According to a project narrative filed with the early plans, Rios, who was born in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, is inspired by the “food and traditions of the Yucatan Peninsula with their unique flavors and methods of food preparation. Inspired by the natural geography, ecology, and food traditions of the Riviera Maya and Tulum.”
The restaurant will feature a Mayan Pib oven, a traditional way of cooking using an underground earth oven to bake, smoke, and steam dishes. Tortillas will be made by hand, in-house, and the drink menu will feature agave-based spirits. It will feature a covered patio and a brise soleil-type structure to help minimize noise from passing traffic and for nearby residents.
Renderings by GDP Design Build were recently filed with the City of Orlando to share an ambitious overhaul of the 2,900 SF building, which comes with 17 onsite parking spaces (something you don’t see very often in the neighborhood). Even with those parking spaces, the development team is asking to build 6 fewer spots than required, and will provide 10 additional bike parking spaces instead and will subsidize public transportation options for its employees.
This project is still early in development.
Is the TMG open fire concept still happening on Mills as well?
yep! looks like they’ve made some progress lately too