ORLANDO, Fla – As WKMG Hits the Road to downtown Orlando this week, we learned the 32801 ZIP code is seeing a population boom with no signs of slowing down.
The City Beautiful is in the midst of a growth spurt and downtown’s skyline continues to change as new high-rise apartments take shape. There are $1.5 billion worth of residential projects in the works for the downtown area, according to Orlando leaders.
Society Orlando is the latest to open along Orange Avenue. The 27-story, 464-unit building is downtown’s largest residential development to date. It’s flush with amenities as well, including a state-of-the-art fitness center and a massive pool that’s considered the largest among high-rises downtown.
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“I’ve always wanted to be downtown, but I never found the right building or right location,” said Brandon Bergler, who was one of the first residents to move in. “Driving by on I-4 and seeing this place as it was being elevated, it just drew my attention. I knew this was the place to be.”
In addition to the traditional market-rate studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, Society also offers a rent-by-bedroom option that starts at just $1,250 per month. The average rent in downtown Orlando is around $2,089, according to data from RentCafe.
Leasing associate Gabrielle Timpson told News 6 each rent-by-bedroom apartment has its own bathroom and comes fully furnished.
“It provides such an affordable way to live downtown while still having access to all of these massive amenities,” Timpson said. “We also provide a free cleaning service, so they get free cleaning in the living and common areas every other week.”
There are more than 21,000 people who live in downtown Orlando, a 57% increase since 2010. The residential growth is intentional as the city looks to transform the corridor into more of a neighborhood.
“Over the last year we’ve started to see the change,” Bergler said. “I think we’re a few years out from where a lot of us would want to be, but I definitely think that within the next five to six years, this place is going to be unrecognizable.”
David Barilla, executive director of the Downtown Development Board, said the city is working to create an environment where everyone feels they have something for them, including bringing in more affordable housing options.
The Beacon at Creative Village, an affordable housing development planned along Amelia Street, will offer 106 units for low-income renters. The site was once home to the Orlando Tennis Center.
About two miles away, near the Star Tower along Mariposa Street, another 138 affordable units are in the works that will be exclusively for seniors.
One of the most well-known developments in the pipeline is Westcourt, the sports and entertainment district near Kia Center. Part of the project includes a 270-unit residential tower that will feature ten attainable housing units.
“We’re continuing to work with developers as more interest in living downtown continues to take shape,” Barilla said.