By Roger Jimenez
Downtown Orlando is both the center stage and the vibrant central business district of the city, offering a rich blend of history, culture, and modern amenities.
Within its boundaries, visitors and residents can experience a dynamic urban environment, highlighting an array of architectural styles, a thriving business scene, and a variety of entertainment options. From its historic landmarks and cultural institutions to its modern office towers and residential developments, Downtown Orlando captures the essence of the city’s growth and evolution.
Let's walk through the history of the Central Business District and how it has become the crucial core that it is now!
Credit: Orange County Regional History Center
Location and Neighborhoods
Downtown Orlando is defined by its borders: Marks Street to the north, Mills Avenue (SR 15) to the east, Orange Blossom Trail (US 441) to the west, and Kaley Avenue to the south.
There are several distinct neighborhoods in downtown, but the main ones include:
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"North Quarter" to the north
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"Lake Eola Heights Historic District" just north of Lake Eola
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"South Eola" contains Lake Eola Park and continues east and south of Lake Eola
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"Thornton Park" in the east
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"Parramore" in the west
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"Lake Cherokee Historic District" to the south
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"Central Business District" (or the "Financial District") between Colonial Drive and Lake Lucerne in the center
Before Orlando: The Jernigan Village
The area now known as Downtown Orlando was originally inhabited by the Native American Creek and Seminole tribes. European settlers arrived in the region in 1838, establishing Fort Gatlin a few miles south of present-day downtown Orlando on the shores of modern-day Lake Gatlin, where a historic marker now commemorates the site.
By 1840, a small community had developed around Fort Gatlin, known as Jernigan. This name honored the Jernigan family, who had established the first permanent settlement in the area. A post office was established in Jernigan on May 30, 1850.
Credit: Wikipedia
For the most part, the village remained largely underdeveloped during and after the Civil War. It was not until 1875 that the "Town of Orlando" was incorporated, centered around the original Orange County Courthouse, located between today's Court Avenue and Magnolia Avenue, which was originally named "Main Street."
Downtown Orlando Through the 1900s
Were you aware that we almost lost all of Orlando to a fire long ago?
In 1884, a devastating fire almost destroyed the entire town due to most of the structures being built with wood, as well as a lack of adequate fire protection. Following the fire, the community began to rebuild and formed a fire brigade. Then, in 1885, Orlando was officially incorporated as a city.
The arrival of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1890 brought significant growth, shifting commercial activity towards the new railroad depot on Church Street. Settlers from England also arrived, establishing homes and businesses, further contributing to the city's expansion.
Credit: Orange Country Regional History Center
By the 1920s, Orlando had transformed from a cattle town into a major citrus-growing center. The Florida land boom of the 1920s attracted many newcomers, leading to a population of 9,000 at this point in time.
Then came the Great Depression. Colder climates brought rising economic challenges for citrus workers and caused many to move away, but federal programs from the Works Progress Administration helped the rest of Orlando remain stable. During this period, new parks were developed, the Municipal Airport (now Orlando Executive Airport) was built, and a new football stadium at Tinker Field (now the site of the Florida Citrus Bowl) was constructed.
By 1944, these efforts had helped increase the city's population to 45,000 people. Orlando also became a significant military center with the development of McCoy Air Force Base during World War II, and later, the opening of the Orlando Naval Training Center in 1968. (Now, most of the McCoy Air Force Base was used up to make the Orlando International Airport, and the ONTC has been transformed into the master-planned residential community that is known as Baldwin Park!)
Disney & the Decline of Downtown
The arrival of Disney World in 1971 marked a period of stagnation for downtown Orlando. Development during this time focused primarily on the construction of office towers, such as the Citrus Center and the original Sunbank building. However, downtown Orlando began to decline.
Historic hotels like the Angebilt Hotel and the San Juan Hotel were abandoned, with the San Juan eventually being demolished in 1980. The Angebilt Hotel was later transformed into an office building with retail on the ground floor.
Downtown department stores and family-owned businesses closed or relocated to the newly constructed Orlando Fashion Square mall. The opening of Interstate 4 further accelerated the migration of the downtown population to the suburbs, leading to a decline in the area’s vibrancy and economic activity.
A downtown renaissance arrived just in time for the area, driven by several factors: the establishment of Orlando's Downtown Historic District, the strengthening of the city's Historic Preservation Board and Downtown Development Board, increased investment tax credits for preservation, and a fortunate combination of timing and luck.
Efforts to revitalize downtown began in the mid-1970s and continued into the 1980s. During the mid-1980s, several skyscrapers were constructed, including SunTrust Center and Barnett Plaza (now Bank of America Center). Lake Eola Park was redesigned, and the Walt Disney Amphitheater opened in the park around the same time the annual "Orlando Shakespeare Festival" was established. However, despite these improvements, downtown's population base had yet to rebound to previous levels, and major corporations were still opening locations outside the city center.
Image Credit: Orange County Regional History Center
The Downtown Building Boom
Downtown Orlando was still relatively small compared to other cities of its size. However, a building boom began in 1998 and continued through the 2000s, transforming the landscape forever. New commercial towers emerged along Orange Avenue, while residential towers were constructed around Lake Eola and along Magnolia Avenue. As a result, downtown's density doubled, and Orlando's skyline changed dramatically.
In 2006, the mayor announced the "Triple Crown for Downtown" plan in his state of downtown address; a massive redevelopment project aimed at revitalizing three of Downtown’s major buildings to transform them into "world-class community venues" that is now almost complete. The project, for many locals who have watched the city unfold in front of them through the years, has been representative of all the community effort that has pushed Downtown even further into the community's consciousness for over a decade.
“Triple Crown For Downtown”
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Kia Center (formerly Amway Center) - The first initiative of the Triple Crown. Construction began in 2008 and was completed in October, 2010. It is the new home of the Orlando Magic. In addition to other events, the venue has brought major concerts back to Orlando.
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Camping World Stadium (formerly The Florida Citrus Bowl) - Located to the west of downtown is an outdoor venue for sports and large events that has undergone extensive renovations in recent years. It is also famously known for the football scenes filmed there from Adam Sandler’s movie The Waterboy.
Credit: Camping World Stadium
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Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts - Located across from City Hall on Orange Ave, it replaced the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and is being built in phases. Phases I and II are already complete: bringing a 2,800 seat amplified hall and a 300-seat theater for smaller productions, a 1,700 seat acoustic hall for ballet, orchestra, and opera performances. Phase 3, expected to open in 2027, will feature “an outdoor performance auditorium that hosts 5,000-7,000 guests, a 12,000-14,000-square-foot immersive performance venue, a 10,000-square-foot event, banquet & exhibition space and a 750-seat theater. This will be in addition to amenities, such as a music & arts garden, a destination restaurant & café and roof garden restaurant, which will be collectively programmed with multiple types of performances and 1,000 free events annually.”
Credit: Dr Phillips Center for Performing Arts
The New Destiny of Downtown Orlando
As of 2015, the Downtown population has now surpassed over 270,000 residents within the 5-mile radius of Downtown. Over 7,000 apartments have been built in the Downtown area and there has been an 83% increase in residents in the last 20 years. So far, over $1.5 billion dollars has been brought in residential development activity!
The downtown area now has over 12 million square feet of rentable workspace, perfect for the booming Downtown district with a growing workforce population of 95,000 daily employees and over 5000,000 college students studying in the Downtown area.
Today, the vision for Downtown Orlando remains as ambitious and forward-thinking as it has been for centuries. Expansive efforts continue to shape this vibrant urban core, focusing on cultural enrichment, affordable housing, and creating walkable, safe spaces for families and residents alike.
A key element of this modern vision is the ongoing commitment to the arts, with the Creative Village standing as an example of progress. The Creative Village is a transformative urban development in downtown Orlando (pictured below), focusing on innovation and technology. Spanning over 68 acres, this mixed-use district integrates residential, commercial, educational, and recreational spaces. It includes the UCF Downtown and Valencia College campus, various tech companies, and numerous housing options. Downtown continues to actively support arts initiatives, ensuring that both residents and visitors have access to diverse cultural experiences that enhance the community's quality of life.
Credit: Creative Village Orlando
Affordable housing initiatives are another critical component of downtown's development strategy. Recognizing the importance of inclusive growth, the city has implemented various programs to provide quality housing options for lower-income residents. Developments like those in the Parramore neighborhood are at the forefront of this effort, offering affordable living spaces while preserving the area's cultural heritage and history.
Safe spaces and walkability are also paramount in the downtown development plan. Streetscapes such as the upcoming Art Park or The Canopy (pictured below) are being designed and renovated to promote pedestrian-friendly environments, with wide sidewalks, ample lighting, and green spaces. These improvements not only enhance safety but also encourage residents and families to explore and enjoy the urban landscape for years to come.
Credit: City of Orlando
Historical Downtown Buildings & Developments
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Angebilt Hotel (1923) — The Angebilt Hotel, constructed in 1923, is a historic building located in downtown Orlando. Originally one of the city's premier hotels, it fell into disrepair before being renovated in the early 1980s. The building has since been repurposed for office space, with retail establishments occupying the ground floor, preserving its historic charm.
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Orlando Public Library (1923) — Built in 1923, the Orlando Public Library initially served as the city's primary library facility. A major expansion and renovation in the 1960s transformed it into a modernized structure while retaining its historical essence. Today, it stands as a central hub of learning and community activities in downtown Orlando.
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Orlando Municipal Auditorium [now the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre] (1926) — The Orlando Municipal Auditorium, opened in 1926, is a cornerstone of Orlando's cultural scene. Renamed the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, it has undergone several renovations to update its facilities, including significant improvements in the 1970s and 1990s. It continues to host a variety of performances and events.
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Orlando Executive Airport (1928) — Established in 1928, the Orlando Executive Airport has been a key aviation facility for the region. Initially a military airfield, it transitioned to a civilian airport after World War II. The airport has seen multiple upgrades and expansions, enhancing its runways, terminals, and support facilities to accommodate growing aviation demands while maintaining its historical significance.
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Orlando City Hall Building (1991) — The current Orlando City Hall building, the city's third, opened in 1991, directly behind the previous City Hall, which was built in 1958. To make way for future development, the Orlando City Council decided to implode the 1950s structure. This event, met with considerable local interest, was filmed and featured in the opening scenes of the 1992 film *Lethal Weapon 3*. The cleared area is now home to CNL City Center Commons.
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Orange County Regional History Center (2000) — In 1892, a red-brick courthouse was built in the newly established city limits of Orlando. In 1927, a neoclassical building, now the current home of the History Center, was added and became the main courthouse. In 1995, Orange County debuted its current, high-rise courthouse, and a task force of community leaders unanimously recommended that the 1927 courthouse become a larger, regional history museum. In 1998 the Courthouse annex was demolished and Heritage Park was built on the site. The Orange County Regional History Center opened in September 2000.
Overall
From its early days as a small settlement to its current status as a bustling urban center, Downtown Orlando has continually transformed and adapted. Today, it thrives as a vibrant center of culture, business, and community, with ongoing initiatives in arts, housing, and urban development that ensure its growth and inclusivity. As the city looks to the future, Downtown Orlando remains a symbol of progress, innovation, and the enduring spirit of its residents, embodying a bright and promising path ahead.
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