Work is scheduled to start during the third week of June on a nine-story apartment building complex in uptown Orlando. The area close to Lake Eola has been subjected to minimal development after the crash in Orlando real estate about seven years ago.
Development by Jefferson Apartment Group
Two acres of land were purchased at South Osceola Avenue and East Church Street by Jefferson Apartment Group during the first week of June this year. The seller was an investor based in Ohio. According to the Jefferson Apartment Group spokesperson, work on the complex is expected to begin immediately with the placeholder name 420 Church. The complex is expected to have 299 units.
The southern flank of Lake Eola saw a number of apartment and condominium buildings come up before the real estate market took a turn for the worse in 2007. Since then, the area has seen three complexes being constructed.
The 420 Church construction plan includes about 9,000 square feet, destined for retail at the ground level. About one-third of the total area is to be transformed into an art gallery on a lease basis. It will also include10 studios at the ground level which can be used by the artists.
According to Mike Mulhalli, Regional Partner, Jefferson Apartment Group, the company strives to create an arts district near Eola. The property, in addition to the proposed art gallery, will consist of three secured parking levels with the fifth-floor housing a pool deck.
Built for renters
According to Mulhali, notwithstanding the fact that the urban core of Orlando is predominantly rentals, the uptown area of the city continues to attract renters who have the ability to pay in the region of $1,200 per month for kinds of apartments that have more than adequate amenities. The concept envisioned by Jefferson Apartment Group changed after it started planning for the project about five years ago.
Mulhali said that the Orlando Realtor is also developing a different site located to the south of the city. He confirmed that the company has a contract nearer to South Street. He was reluctant to give out more details. According to Susan Morris of Colliers International, a real estate firm, Jefferson is one of many apartment complexes in the final planning phases for uptown Orlando.
Another uptown project in the process of taking shape is The Sevens. It is scheduled to be set up on a property located at North Orange Avenue.
