The 68-acre, $1 billion Creative Village project in downtown Orlando, the largest transit-oriented project in central Florida, is expected to break ground on May 14.
This mixed-use project, which had been delayed for a number of years, is already being touted as mecca for business, colleges, and residents. The Orlando Business Journal reports that the University of Central Florida has committed to anchor the Village with a $207 million downtown campus that would create 4,000 jobs. UCF has stated its intention to bring 6,000 students downtown.
Creative Village is a public/private partnership between the City of Orlando and the Master Developer, Creative Village Development; a joint venture between Banc of America Community Development Corporation, and a local developer-investment team lead by Ustler Development. Baker Barrios Architects, the project’s design architect; and Emerge Real Estate Ventures, are part of that group.
The city’s Amway Arena was demolished in 2012 to make way for Creative Village. That demolition’s debris—including 94 million pounds of concrete and 13 million pounds of steel—was recycled and/or sorted for future reuse to build Creative Village’s infrastructure.
The development expected to take 15 to 20 years to complete, and include when finished 1.2 million sf of office and creative space, 500,000 sf of education space, 1,500 housing units, and 225 hotel rooms. A PS-8 school is planned nearby. Construction will create 6,500 jobs, and the Village would offer 5,000 permanent jobs. The Building Team estimates that Creative Village would also generate between $800 million and $1 billion in new development.
Road and utility work in Phase 1 would accommodate the expansion of the Lynz Lymmo bus circulator system to Orlando’s west side, near the Parramore District. Craig Ustler, MAI, CCIM, president of Ustler Development, said that about $13 million in infrastructure work on the bus route and the building paths is already taking shape.
Vertical construction is scheduled to begin in later 2015 or early 2016.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Feb 11, 2023
8 Gold and Platinum multifamily projects from the NAHB's BALA Awards
This year's top BALA multifamily winners showcase leading design trends, judged by eight industry professionals from across the country.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 10, 2023
Dallas to get a 19-story, 351-unit residential high-rise
In Dallas, work has begun on a new multifamily high-rise called The Oliver. The 19-story, 351-unit apartment building will be located within The Central, a 27-acre mixed-use development near the Knox/Henderson neighborhood north of downtown Dallas.
Mixed-Use | Dec 7, 2022
Bjarke Ingels’ first design project in South America is poised to open next year in Ecuador
In 2013, Quito, Ecuador’s capital, opened its new airport, which had been relocated from the metro’s center to an agricultural site 12 miles northeast of the city. Since then, Quito’s skyline has been reshaped by new, vertical structures that include the 24-story mixed-use EPIQ Residences, designed in the shape of a quarter circle by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).
High-rise Construction | Dec 7, 2022
SOM reveals its design for Singapore’s tallest skyscraper
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has revealed its design for 8 Shenton Way—a mixed-use tower that will stand 63 stories and 305 meters (1,000 feet) high, becoming Singapore’s tallest skyscraper. The design team also plans to make the building one of Asia’s most sustainable skyscrapers. The tower incorporates post-pandemic design features.
Office Buildings | Dec 6, 2022
‘Chicago’s healthiest office tower’ achieves LEED Gold, WELL Platinum, and WiredScore Platinum
Goettsch Partners (GP) recently completed 320 South Canal, billed as “Chicago’s healthiest office tower,” according to the architecture firm. Located across the street from Chicago Union Station and close to major expressways, the 51-story tower totals 1,740,000 sf. It includes a conference center, fitness center, restaurant, to-go market, branch bank, and a cocktail lounge in an adjacent structure, as well as parking for 324 cars/electric vehicles and 114 bicycles.
Mixed-Use | Dec 6, 2022
Houston developer plans to convert Kevin Roche-designed ConocoPhillips HQ to mixed-use destination
Houston-based Midway, a real estate investment, development, and management firm, plans to redevelop the former ConocoPhillips corporate headquarters site into a mixed-use destination called Watermark District at Woodcreek.
Data Centers | Nov 28, 2022
Data centers are a hot market—don't waste the heat!
SmithGroup's Brian Rener shares a few ways to integrate data centers in mixed-use sites, utilizing waste heat to optimize the energy demands of the buildings.
Mixed-Use | Oct 20, 2022
ROI on resilient multifamily construction can be as high as 72%
A new study that measured the economic value of using FORTIFIED Multifamily, a voluntary beyond-code construction and re-roofing method developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), found the return can be as high as 72%.
Mixed-Use | Oct 18, 2022
Mixed-use San Diego tower inspired by coastal experience and luxury travel
The new 525 Olive mixed use San Diego tower was inspired by the coastal experience and luxury travel.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 7, 2022
Design for new Ft. Lauderdale mixed-use tower features sequence of stepped rounded volumes
The newly revealed design for 633 SE 3rd Ave., a 47-story, mixed-use tower in Ft. Lauderdale, features a sequence of stepped rounded volumes that ease the massing of the tower as it rises.
