Downtown Orlando
Encyclopedia
Downtown Orlando is the historic core and central business district
of Orlando
, Florida
, United States
. It is bordered by East Marks St in the north, Mills Ave in the east, Orange Blossom Trail (US Hwy 441) in the west, and Kaley Ave in the south. There are five enclaves in downtown; "Uptown" in the north around Lake Ivanhoe, "Lake Eola Heights" and "Thornton Park" in the east around Lake Eola, "Parramore" in the west, and the "Central Business District" (or the "Financial District") between Colonial Dr and Lake Lucerne in the center. In 2008, the estimated population of downtown is 22,230. The daytime population is estimated to be 72,500. The 5 mile radius population of downtown is 265,100.
. It is home to residential and commercial towers, local and state government offices, sports facilities, performing arts theaters, art galleries, a movie theater, retail, nightclubs, and parks. Downtown is removed from the tourist areas located in the southern half of the city; but does draw a significant number of visitors seeking to experience the "Real Orlando". It is also the location of numerous festivals, parades, political demonstrations, and other high-profile events year-round.
There are 18 neighborhoods in downtown Orlando located in five major enclaves.
Uptown, located north of Colonial Dr. along Ivanhoe Blvd., is an urban cluster around Lake Ivanhoe similar to the Central Business District; but with less density. The area is dotted with open spaces planned for development in addition to construction of new residential and office towers. Lake Ivanhoe has a large gay community along with retail and nightlife.
Landmarks in this area include Lake Highland Preparatory School
, Senator Beth Johnson
Park, and the headquarters of the Orlando Ballet.
It is a residential area with a large number of high intensity entertainment and office institutions; such as the Amway Arena, Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
, US Courthouse for the Mid-District of Florida, Florida A&M University
School of Law, county & state buildings, and Orlando Police Department headquarters. Smaller businesses include grocery stores, barber shops, and soul food
restaurants.
, and upscale hotels. SunTrust Center and City Commons are two large office complexes within
the CBD. Church Street Station
is also located in this area.
Lake Eola Heights is the location of Lake Eola Park east of the CBD. The park holds historical significance and is a frequent venue for local events and festivals. The park's most iconic landmark is the Lake Eola Fountain, permanently embedded to the bottom with concrete beams in the center of the lake. The fountain is illuminated nightly in various colors. Just recently, they have added two nightly water shows. In addition to the fountain, the park features swan boat rentals and the Walt Disney Amphitheater. Every Independence Day
, the park is host to a large fireworks
display which draws over 100,000 people to downtown. A 0.85 miles (1.4 km) recreational pathway circles the park and leads to a playground.
Residential and commercial development is usually regulated to towers no greater than 250 feet (76.2 m) tall. There are many historical "Florida style" bungalows and century-old oak lined brick streets. This area is unique in Orlando as it contains some of the oldest structures in the city and is Orlando's historic district. Howard Middle School
, which was the original Orlando High School, is located here.
tribes. In 1838, Fort Gatlin was built a few miles south of downtown Orlando on the shores of modern day Lake Gatlin; where ruins of the fort remain to this day. Settlers knew the area as "Jernigan" until 1875 when the "Town of Orlando" was incorporated and centered around today's Church Street. Orlando became a city
in 1885 and downtown was the only population center for many years. Church Street was the commercial hub for the new Orlando where original pioneers, such as Joseph Bumby of England
, settled in the town and built a hardware
store known as "Bumby Hardware Store". The store remained an Orlando fixture until the 1960s, but the name "Bumby" is still famous in the city.
growing center. The city constructed the Orlando Public Library in 1923, the Orlando Municipal Auditorium (now Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre) in 1926, and several grand hotels; namely the Angebilt and San Juan Hotels. By this time, the city's population had grown to 20,000 people.
helped Orlando remain economically stable. New parks were developed, the Municipal Airport (now Orlando Executive Airport
) was built, and the city also built a new football stadium at Tinker Field
(now Florida Citrus Bowl). By 1944, enough jobs were created to increase the city's population to 45,000 people. Orlando became a major military center when World War II
brought the development of McCoy Air Force Base
and Pinecastle AFB, located southeast of downtown. This status strengthened with the 1968 opening of the Orlando Naval Training Center east of downtown.
east of downtown. As a result, the downtown population base moved out to the suburbs after the opening of Interstate 4.
Redevelopment in downtown Orlando began in the early 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Bob Snow opened Rosie O'Grady's in 1974 at Church Street Station
, which quickly became a popular tourist attraction and local hot spot. Several skyscrapers were constructed, including SunTrust Center
and Barnett Plaza (now Bank of America Center) in 1988. 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. On the other hand, downtown's population base still had yet to rebound to previous levels and major corporations were still opening locations outside of the city center.
The new Orlando City Hall building, the city's third, opened in 1991, directly behind the second City Hall, which was originally constructed in 1958. The old City Hall's demolition was filmed for use in the opening scenes of the film Lethal Weapon 3
.
" was locally applied to Orange Avenue when a large number of construction cranes loomed over downtown. As of 2009, skyscraper development slowed, but is being replaced by other development projects.
The tallest skyscrapers in Orlando are:
Towers built in downtown Orlando have not exceeded 441 ft (134 m) since the completion of the Suntrust Center in 1988. There has never been an "official" reason why; but local architects speculate it is because the Orlando Executive Airport
is located just east of downtown. The airport's flight path is over downtown, thus the Federal Aviation Administration
has imposed height restrictions.
Limited Access
Arterials
Secondaries
Public Transportation
Bus
The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (CFRTA), better known as Lynx
, operates the regional bus service with its central station and offices located at 455 N Garland Avenue.
Lynx Operates a zero-fare bus route called Lymmo (Link 31) along a completely separate and dedicated right-of-way. Because this bus system runs on its own right-of-way and controls the traffic signaling, in most cases it is superior to automobile travel within the downtown area. In late 2010, a process began to expand Lymmo service along the Orange Avenue corridor, north to Florida Hospital and south to Michigan Avenue, as well as adding an east/west circulator from the Citrus Bowl
to Thornton Park.
Rail
Downtown is served by an Amtrak station
about a mile south of the central business district. The Silver Meteor
and Silver Star lines provide train service to New York City
, Miami and Tampa.
Plans have been approved and ground has been broken on the new SunRail
, a North-South commuter rail that will run mostly along existing CSX/Amtrak
rails and provide service between Deland and Poinciana. A large transfer station has already been constructed downtown and currently handles Lynx bus transfers.
Air
The Orlando Executive Airport
is located 4 miles (6.4 km) east of the CBD. While technically not in downtown proper, the airport serves the downtown district.
The United States Postal Service
operates the Downtown Orlando Post Office at 51 East Jefferson Street.
The "Cultural Park Master Plan" published in 2009, details plans to expand Loch Haven Park to former USDA property located adjacent the park, and calling for additional cultural institutions to be housed onsite.
NBA team and the Orlando Predators
Arena Football
League team.http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-calkelly-nightlife-062609062609jun26,0,1183119.column The Florida Citrus Bowl hosts The Capital One Bowl in addition to other events year round. Tinker Field
is a historic ballpark next to the Citrus Bowl.
Resulting from Orlando's reputation as a major international destination and many countries establishing embassies in the city, Orlando now has the second highest number of foreign consulates in Florida next to Miami.
, Ernest Saves Christmas
, D.A.R.Y.L.
, Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector
, Lethal Weapon 3
(doubled for Los Angeles
), and Miami Connection (doubled for downtown Miami
).
Seven Mary Three
's fourth studio album is entitled Orange Avenue.
A more ambitious project planned for downtown calls for completely transforming the Orlando Centroplex, the home of the current Amway Arena, into a "Creative Village". The project is to be privately funded and plans call for satellite schools for the University of Central Florida
and the University of Florida
, 1000000 square feet (92,903 m²) of office space, residential apartment buildings, and a large central park with sporting facilities and an amphitheater.
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is bordered by East Marks St in the north, Mills Ave in the east, Orange Blossom Trail (US Hwy 441) in the west, and Kaley Ave in the south. There are five enclaves in downtown; "Uptown" in the north around Lake Ivanhoe, "Lake Eola Heights" and "Thornton Park" in the east around Lake Eola, "Parramore" in the west, and the "Central Business District" (or the "Financial District") between Colonial Dr and Lake Lucerne in the center. In 2008, the estimated population of downtown is 22,230. The daytime population is estimated to be 72,500. The 5 mile radius population of downtown is 265,100.
Overview
Downtown Orlando is the economic heart of Central FloridaCentral Florida
Central Florida is a regional designation for the area surrounding Orlando in east central Florida, United States. The area represents the third largest population concentration in Florida, after the South Florida and Tampa Bay regions, respectively....
. It is home to residential and commercial towers, local and state government offices, sports facilities, performing arts theaters, art galleries, a movie theater, retail, nightclubs, and parks. Downtown is removed from the tourist areas located in the southern half of the city; but does draw a significant number of visitors seeking to experience the "Real Orlando". It is also the location of numerous festivals, parades, political demonstrations, and other high-profile events year-round.
Geography
NeighborhoodsThere are 18 neighborhoods in downtown Orlando located in five major enclaves.
- Lake Dot
- Callahan
- Parramore
- Lake Eola Heights
- South Eola
- Thornton Park
- Colonialtown
- Lawsona
- Ferncreek
- Lake Cherokee
- Greenwood - The location of Greenwood Cemetery; Orlando's oldest cemetery containing graves of the city's founding fathers.
- Lake Davis
- Belle Air
- Delaney Park
- Wadeview Park
- Lake Weldona
- Lancaster Park
- College Park - A small section east of Orange Blossom Trail is located downtown.
Uptown
Landmarks in this area include Lake Highland Preparatory School
Lake Highland Preparatory School
Lake Highland Preparatory School is a private school in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1970. It is the largest private school in Orlando. Lake Highland Preparatory School is a Pre-K through 12, coeducational, private, day school situated on a campus on Lake Highland in the heart of Orlando...
, Senator Beth Johnson
Beth Johnson
Beth Johnson is a Canadian consultant, politician and teacher. She was the first female mayor of Delta, B.C., Canada.Johnson previously lived in Los Angeles. From 1974 to 1989, she was a teacher in the School District #38 in Richmond, B.C. She was an alderwoman from 1981 to 1987...
Park, and the headquarters of the Orlando Ballet.
Parramore
Established in the 1880s, Parramore is the historical hub of Orlando's African-American community. The area is located just west of the Central Business district along Division Ave. Once a thriving neighborhood, years of neglect, crime, and homelessness have resulted in economic blight. Today, city leaders, business owners, and local residents are working together to improve the area.It is a residential area with a large number of high intensity entertainment and office institutions; such as the Amway Arena, Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
The Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre is a major performing arts auditorium in Orlando, Florida and seats 2,518. It is part of the larger Orlando Centroplex organization which manages several facilities....
, US Courthouse for the Mid-District of Florida, Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
School of Law, county & state buildings, and Orlando Police Department headquarters. Smaller businesses include grocery stores, barber shops, and soul food
Soul food
Soul food cuisine consists of a selection of foods traditional in the cuisine of African Americans. It is closely related to the cuisine of the Southern United States...
restaurants.
Central Business District
The central business district acts as Orlando's Financial District and is the most recognized feature of downtown. The majority of Orlando's night clubs are also in this area. Located here are corporate offices, Orlando City Hall, foreign consulatesConsul (representative)
The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
, and upscale hotels. SunTrust Center and City Commons are two large office complexes within
the CBD. Church Street Station
Church Street Station
Church Street Station may refer to:*Church Street Station in Florida*Church Street Station in California*Church Street tram stop in Croydon*Church Street Station, post office at 90 Church Street, New York City...
is also located in this area.
Lake Eola Heights
Lake Eola Heights is the location of Lake Eola Park east of the CBD. The park holds historical significance and is a frequent venue for local events and festivals. The park's most iconic landmark is the Lake Eola Fountain, permanently embedded to the bottom with concrete beams in the center of the lake. The fountain is illuminated nightly in various colors. Just recently, they have added two nightly water shows. In addition to the fountain, the park features swan boat rentals and the Walt Disney Amphitheater. Every Independence Day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
, the park is host to a large fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
display which draws over 100,000 people to downtown. A 0.85 miles (1.4 km) recreational pathway circles the park and leads to a playground.
Residential and commercial development is usually regulated to towers no greater than 250 feet (76.2 m) tall. There are many historical "Florida style" bungalows and century-old oak lined brick streets. This area is unique in Orlando as it contains some of the oldest structures in the city and is Orlando's historic district. Howard Middle School
Howard Middle School (Orlando, Florida)
Howard Middle School is a middle school located in Orlando, Florida, United States near the city's downtown.The school, which is a part of the Orange County Public Schools, serves grades 6 through 8....
, which was the original Orlando High School, is located here.
Thornton Park
Thornton Park is located immediately east of Lake Eola Heights and is centered around Lake Lawsona along Thornton Ave. The area is similar to Lake Eola Heights, in that it contains historical homes and the streets are paved with brick. However, Thornton Park has a more "cosmopolitan" feel, as it is the location of exclusive restaurants, high-end fashion boutiques, and Star Tower, which has some of the most expensive condo units in Orlando. It has also become one of the most desirable places to live in downtown, attracting young professionals and urban dwellers. As a result, the area has become a lively 24/7 neighborhood, with a diverse mix of people.Early years
Prior to the arrival of European settlers in 1837, the Orlando area was occupied by the Native-American Creek and SeminoleSeminole
The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...
tribes. In 1838, Fort Gatlin was built a few miles south of downtown Orlando on the shores of modern day Lake Gatlin; where ruins of the fort remain to this day. Settlers knew the area as "Jernigan" until 1875 when the "Town of Orlando" was incorporated and centered around today's Church Street. Orlando became a city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in 1885 and downtown was the only population center for many years. Church Street was the commercial hub for the new Orlando where original pioneers, such as Joseph Bumby of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, settled in the town and built a hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
store known as "Bumby Hardware Store". The store remained an Orlando fixture until the 1960s, but the name "Bumby" is still famous in the city.
Downtown's heyday
By the 1920s, Orlando had grown from a cattle town to a major citrusCitrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
growing center. The city constructed the Orlando Public Library in 1923, the Orlando Municipal Auditorium (now Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre) in 1926, and several grand hotels; namely the Angebilt and San Juan Hotels. By this time, the city's population had grown to 20,000 people.
Great Depression to post-war years
The federal government's Works Progress Administration programs during the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
helped Orlando remain economically stable. New parks were developed, the Municipal Airport (now Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Orlando, a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority...
) was built, and the city also built a new football stadium at Tinker Field
Tinker Field
Tinker Field is a stadium in Orlando, Florida. It is primarily used for baseball, and was the home field of the Orlando Rays minor league baseball team before they moved to Cracker Jack Stadium in 2000...
(now Florida Citrus Bowl). By 1944, enough jobs were created to increase the city's population to 45,000 people. Orlando became a major military center when World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
brought the development of McCoy Air Force Base
McCoy Air Force Base
With McCoy's closure as an active air force installation in 1975, the site was redeveloped and is known today as Orlando International Airport, which carries the airport code MCO .- History :...
and Pinecastle AFB, located southeast of downtown. This status strengthened with the 1968 opening of the Orlando Naval Training Center east of downtown.
Decline and redevelopment
Walt Disney World's 1971 opening in southwest Orange County brought major development to Orlando, but not to downtown. During this time, development in downtown was mainly focused upon the construction of office towers, such as the Citrus Center and the original Sunbank building. However, downtown began to fall into a state of decline. The "Angebilt" and "San Juan Hotels" were abandoned and left to crumble. The San Juan was eventually demolished, but the "Angebilt Building" would years later be transformed into an office building with retail on the ground floor. Lake Eola Park became a haven for prostitutes and drug addicts. In addition, downtown department stores and family owned businesses closed or moved to the newly constructed Orlando Fashion SquareOrlando Fashion Square
The Orlando Fashion Square Mall is a two-story indoor shopping mall located in Orlando, Florida. It is anchored by Dillard's, JC Penney, Macy's and Sears....
east of downtown. As a result, the downtown population base moved out to the suburbs after the opening of Interstate 4.
Redevelopment in downtown Orlando began in the early 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Bob Snow opened Rosie O'Grady's in 1974 at Church Street Station
Church Street Station (Orlando)
Church Street Station, also called the Old Orlando Railroad Depot is a historic U.S. depot in Orlando, Florida. It is located at Depot Place and West Church Street, and is a planned station on the proposed SunRail commuter rail system. It is also a commercial entertainment development in downtown...
, which quickly became a popular tourist attraction and local hot spot. Several skyscrapers were constructed, including SunTrust Center
SunTrust Center
The SunTrust Center is a skyscraper located in the Central Business District of Orlando, Florida. Rising to , it is the tallest building in Orlando and Central Florida. Completed in 1988, it has 35 stories and 30 floors of usable office space. Originally named the Sun Bank Center, the name changed...
and Barnett Plaza (now Bank of America Center) in 1988. 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. On the other hand, downtown's population base still had yet to rebound to previous levels and major corporations were still opening locations outside of the city center.
The new Orlando City Hall building, the city's third, opened in 1991, directly behind the second City Hall, which was originally constructed in 1958. The old City Hall's demolition was filmed for use in the opening scenes of the film Lethal Weapon 3
Lethal Weapon 3
Lethal Weapon 3 is a 1992 American action film directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo and Stuart Wilson. It is a sequel to Lethal Weapon and Lethal Weapon 2, and it is part of the Lethal Weapon film series.The movie is set in 1992, six years after...
.
Recent years
Until the late 1990s, downtown was relatively small compared to other cities of Orlando's size. Starting in 1998, downtown was changed when a building boom began and continued through the 2000s decade. Commercial towers were built along Orange Avenue and residential towers were constructed around Lake Eola and along Magnolia Ave. CNL Financial Group established a major footprint in downtown with the construction of CNL City Center Commons, a complex of office towers surrounding Orlando City Hall. CNL continues to expand their presence downtown even today. The boom roughly doubled the size of downtown density and dramatically changed Orlando's skyline. In 2005, the term "ManhattanizationManhattanization
Manhattanization is a neologism coined to describe the construction of many tall or densely situated buildings which transforms the appearance and character of a city. It was a pejorative word used by critics of the highrise buildings built in San Francisco during the 1960s and 1970s, who claimed...
" was locally applied to Orange Avenue when a large number of construction cranes loomed over downtown. As of 2009, skyscraper development slowed, but is being replaced by other development projects.
Skyscrapers
The majority of the tallest towers in Central Florida are located downtown. Of the 71 existing skyscrapers in the Greater Orlando region, 42 are located downtown.The tallest skyscrapers in Orlando are:
- Suntrust CenterSunTrust CenterThe SunTrust Center is a skyscraper located in the Central Business District of Orlando, Florida. Rising to , it is the tallest building in Orlando and Central Florida. Completed in 1988, it has 35 stories and 30 floors of usable office space. Originally named the Sun Bank Center, the name changed...
, 1988, 441 ft (134 m) is the tallest building in Central FloridaCentral FloridaCentral Florida is a regional designation for the area surrounding Orlando in east central Florida, United States. The area represents the third largest population concentration in Florida, after the South Florida and Tampa Bay regions, respectively....
. - The Vue at Lake EolaThe Vue at Lake EolaThe VUE at Lake Eola is a residential skyscraper in Downtown Orlando. It is the third tallest building in the city; being only two feet shorter than the Peabody Orlando and shorter than the Suntrust Center. It houses 34 floors of condos and has penthouses on its top level...
, 2008, 426 ft (130 m). - The Orange County CourthouseOrange County Courthouse (Florida)The Orange County Courthouse, located in Orlando, Florida, United States, comprises the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida and its associated offices, including Orange County's County Court. "The [courthouse] complex includes a 23-level courthouse tower, two five-story office buildings for the...
, 1997, 416 ft (127 m). - The Bank of America CenterBank of America Center (Orlando)The Bank of America Center is a 404 foot skyscraper in Downtown Orlando. The building is one of the tallest in the city and is a unique part of the skyline. Its collection of 10 spires gives it an almost gothic appearance, and its staircase design makes it similar in appearance to another Bank of...
, 1988, 409 ft (125 m) - 55 West on the Esplanade55 West on the Esplanade55 West is an apartment tower in Downtown Orlando. The building overlooks Church Street Station and stands next to the Suntrust Center. Built in 2009 the building is the fifth tallest building in downtown.-Details:...
, 2009, 377 ft (115 m) - Solaire at the PlazaSolaire at the PlazaSolaire at the Plaza is a residential tower in Downtown Orlando. The tower is directly above the Premier Trade Plaza. Both were built at exactly the same time and have similar design. The building, like much of the other towers, has a crown that is lit at night...
, 2006, 359 ft (109 m) - One Eleven Building, 2009, 357 ft (109 m)
- Citrus Center, 1971, 258 ft (79 m)
- Premier Trade Plaza Orlando, 2006, 256 ft (78 m)
- CNL Center City CommonsCNL Center City CommonsCNL Center City Commons is a complex of buildings in Downtown Orlando. The main building is a 250 foot tall skyscraper that is the headquarters of CNL Bank. The complex is also home to Orlando's current city hall, which was built after in the old one was demolished in the same area. The demolition...
, 1999, 250 ft (76 m)
Towers built in downtown Orlando have not exceeded 441 ft (134 m) since the completion of the Suntrust Center in 1988. There has never been an "official" reason why; but local architects speculate it is because the Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Orlando, a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority...
is located just east of downtown. The airport's flight path is over downtown, thus the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
has imposed height restrictions.
Transportation
Downtown Orlando is served by three main arteries, two limited access highways and several secondaries as well as many byways.Limited Access
- Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway (SR 408)
- Interstate 4Interstate 4Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...
(SR 400)
Arterials
- Orange Avenue (SR 527 - One Way SB)
- Rosalind Avenue (SR 527 - One Way NB)
- Colonial Drive (SR 50 - E/W)
Secondaries
- South Street (SR 15 - WB Along SR 408)
- Anderson Street (SR 15 - EB Along SR 408)
- Hughey Avenue (SB Along I-4)
- Garland Avenue (NB Along I-4)
- Robinson Avenue (E/W Along North Side of Lake Eola)
- Central Avenue (E/W) Along South Side of Lake Eola)
Public Transportation
Bus
The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (CFRTA), better known as Lynx
Lynx
A lynx is any of the four Lynx genus species of medium-sized wildcats. The name "lynx" originated in Middle English via Latin from Greek word "λύγξ", derived from the Indo-European root "*leuk-", meaning "light, brightness", in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes...
, operates the regional bus service with its central station and offices located at 455 N Garland Avenue.
Lynx Operates a zero-fare bus route called Lymmo (Link 31) along a completely separate and dedicated right-of-way. Because this bus system runs on its own right-of-way and controls the traffic signaling, in most cases it is superior to automobile travel within the downtown area. In late 2010, a process began to expand Lymmo service along the Orange Avenue corridor, north to Florida Hospital and south to Michigan Avenue, as well as adding an east/west circulator from the Citrus Bowl
Citrus Bowl
The Florida Citrus Bowl is a stadium in Orlando, Florida, USA, built for football, which currently seats around 70,000 people....
to Thornton Park.
Rail
Downtown is served by an Amtrak station
Orlando (Amtrak station)
The Orlando Amtrak station lies south of Downtown Orlando, about a mile south of the old stations at Church Street and Central Boulevard. It was built in 1926 by M. A. Griffith and W. T. Hadlow for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in the Spanish Mission style, and used by the Seaboard Coast Line...
about a mile south of the central business district. The Silver Meteor
Silver Meteor
The Silver Meteor is a 1389-mile passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Silver Service brand, running from New York City, New York, south to Miami, Florida, via the Northeast Corridor to Washington, D.C., thence via Richmond, Virginia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; North Charleston, South...
and Silver Star lines provide train service to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Miami and Tampa.
Plans have been approved and ground has been broken on the new SunRail
SunRail
SunRail is a planned commuter rail system in the greater Orlando, Florida area, linking Poinciana to DeLand through Downtown Orlando...
, a North-South commuter rail that will run mostly along existing CSX/Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
rails and provide service between Deland and Poinciana. A large transfer station has already been constructed downtown and currently handles Lynx bus transfers.
Air
The Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Orlando, a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority...
is located 4 miles (6.4 km) east of the CBD. While technically not in downtown proper, the airport serves the downtown district.
Government
The US District Court Middle District of Florida's courthouse is located at 401 West Central Boulevard.The United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Downtown Orlando Post Office at 51 East Jefferson Street.
Public and Private Schools
- Lake Highland Preparatory SchoolLake Highland Preparatory SchoolLake Highland Preparatory School is a private school in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1970. It is the largest private school in Orlando. Lake Highland Preparatory School is a Pre-K through 12, coeducational, private, day school situated on a campus on Lake Highland in the heart of Orlando...
- Howard Middle SchoolHoward Middle School (Orlando, Florida)Howard Middle School is a middle school located in Orlando, Florida, United States near the city's downtown.The school, which is a part of the Orange County Public Schools, serves grades 6 through 8....
- Hillcrest Elementary School
- Trinity Lutheran School
- Fern Creek Elementary
- Jones High School
- William R. Boone High SchoolWilliam R. Boone High SchoolWilliam R. Boone High School is a public high school in Orlando, Florida, United States. Built in 1952, the school is one of twenty high schools in the Orange County Public Schools system, created to accommodate the growing number of students at Orlando High School...
- The Christ School
Colleges
- Valencia Community CollegeValencia Community CollegeValencia College, formerly known as Valencia Community College, is a public state college in Orlando, Florida, United States. Valencia is the third-largest member institution of the Florida College System....
- satellite campus - University of Central FloridaUniversity of Central FloridaThe University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
- Downtown Campus - UCFUniversity of Central FloridaThe University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
- Florida Interactive Entertainment AcademyFlorida Interactive Entertainment AcademyThe Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy is a graduate school of the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Central Florida located in Orlando, Florida, USA... - Florida A&M UniversityFlorida A&M UniversityFlorida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
- School of Law
Places of worship
- First Presbyterian Church of Orlando
- First United Methodist Church of OrlandoFirst United Methodist Church of OrlandoFirst United Methodist Church of Orlando is a church located in Downtown Orlando. Founded in 1882, First United Methodist Church has been a presence in Central Florida for over 125 years. The church has helped found many non-profit and charitable organizations, including the Coalition for the...
- St. James Cathedral in Orlando
- First United Methodist Church
- Masjid Al Haq Mosque
- Trinity Lutheran Church
- Downtown Baptist Church
- Park Lake Presbyterian Church
Hospitals
- Florida Hospital OrlandoFlorida Hospital OrlandoLocated in Orlando, Florida, Florida Hospital treats over 32,000 inpatients and 53,600 outpatients annually. This 900+ bed, acute-care community hospital also serves as a major tertiary facility for much of the Southeast...
- Orlando Regional Medical CenterOrlando Regional Medical CenterOrlando Regional Medical Center , is a 808-bed tertiary hospital in downtown Orlando, Florida.-External links:* Official Website* Official Website...
- Arnold Palmer Hospital for ChildrenArnold Palmer Hospital for ChildrenThe Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children is a 158-bed pediatrics hospital facility located in Orlando, Florida, United States. The hospital is part of Orlando Health and is supported by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation. It was ranked as one of the nation's Top 30 pediatric hospitals for...
- Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and BabiesWinnie Palmer Hospital for Women and BabiesWinnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies is a 285-bed hospital located in Orlando, Florida, United States, and is a part of Orlando Health.- External links :* Official Website* Official Website...
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando
- ORMC - Lucerne Pavilion
Places of interest
Loch Haven Park, north of downtown on Mills and Princeton Avenues, serves as the cultural center of Orlando and consists of the following:- The Orlando Science CenterOrlando Science CenterThe Orlando Science Center is a private not-for-profit corporation, organized under the laws of the State of Florida, USA, and located in Orlando...
- The Orlando Shakespeare TheaterOrlando Shakespeare TheaterThe Orlando began its first season with two Shakespearean productions in 1989. Based in Florida in Orlando's Loch Haven Park, Orlando Shakes has performed 41 mainstage productions of Shakespeare's works...
- The Orlando Museum of ArtOrlando Museum of ArtThe Orlando Museum of Art is located at 2416 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, Florida. It houses local, regional, national and international works of art. The museum collections include a diverse range of pieces that cover a broad spectrum of subjects using a variety of artistic mediums.-Websites:* *....
- The Orlando Repertory Theatre
- The Mennello Museum of American Art
- Loch Haven Community Center
The "Cultural Park Master Plan" published in 2009, details plans to expand Loch Haven Park to former USDA property located adjacent the park, and calling for additional cultural institutions to be housed onsite.
Arts & Culture
- Calle Orange, an annual heritage festival celebrating Puerto Rican culture.
- The Orange County Regional History CenterOrange County Regional History CenterThe Orange County Regional History Center is a private non-profit history museum located in downtown Orlando, Florida, United States. Located in the historic Orange County Courthouse, the five-story museum consists of exhibits presenting local and regional history starting from 12,000 years ago...
- Located on Central Blvd. The building was once the Orange County Courthouse. - Mad Cow TheatreMad Cow TheatreMad Cow Theatrebegan in late 1997 as a simple two-show project between a group of actors/directors in a former blueprint studio in Maitland, Florida...
produces a season of classical and contemporary plays and musicals in its intimate two-theatre complex. - CityArts Factory - Located in the CBD. Features works by local artists and holds workshops.
- SAK Comedy LabSAK Comedy LabSAK Comedy Lab is a 200-seat Improvisational Comedy theater in downtown Orlando, Florida, listed as "one of Orlando's most popular entertainment venues" by and as a family-friendly show by . SAK was the first theater of actor Wayne Brady, who has played in several shows since as a guest...
- A 200 seat professional improvisation comedy theater and school, with graduates including Wayne BradyWayne BradyWayne Alphonso Brady is an actor, singer, comedian and television personality, known for his work as a regular on the American version of the improvisational comedy television series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and as the host of the daytime talk show The Wayne Brady Show...
, Jonathan MangumJonathan MangumJonathan Mangum is an American actor and comedian. He was a cast member of the variety show, The Wayne Brady Show and is an announcer for the game show Let's Make a Deal.-Early life:...
, Karey KirkpatrickKarey KirkpatrickKarey Kirkpatrick is an American screenwriter and director. His films include James and the Giant Peach, Space Jam, The Iron Giant, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Charlotte's Web and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy adaptation. He has also directed the films, Imagine That starring Eddie Murphy as...
. - Plaza Cinema Cafe - The first movie theater in downtown in nearly half a century.
- The Daily City Mobile Art Show - An art gallery in the back of a moving truck which displays works by local artists in various locations around Central Florida.
- Public Art - Orange County Government has several public art installations around Downtown.
- The Orlando Cabaret Festival - an annual festival produced east spring by Mad Cow TheatreMad Cow TheatreMad Cow Theatrebegan in late 1997 as a simple two-show project between a group of actors/directors in a former blueprint studio in Maitland, Florida...
attracts local and international Cabaret artists for over 40 performances at the theatre. Features lunchtime and evening performances and special events. - The Orlando Film FestivalOrlando Film FestivalThe Orlando Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Orlando, Florida. It has become one of the premier film festivals for independent filmmakers to showcase their work...
- Orlando International Fringe Theater FestivalOrlando International Fringe Theater FestivalThe Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is a 13 day annual arts festival held during the month of May in Orlando, Florida. The festival includes theater, music, dance, and art. It was the first American Fringe Festival and has now grown to be one of the largest in the United States...
Hotels
Major hotels in downtown Orlando include:- Crowne PlazaCrowne PlazaCrowne Plaza is a chain of full service, upscale hotels catering to business travelers and to the meetings and conventions market. It forms part of the InterContinental Hotels Group family of brands, which include InterContinental and Holiday Inn and operates in 52 countries, usually located in...
Orlando Downtown Hotel - Embassy SuitesEmbassy Suites Hotels'Embassy Suites Hotels is a chain of upscale all-suite hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide. As of Feb. 22, 2011, there are 200 Embassy Suites Hotels in the United States, plus 8 Embassy Suites Hotels internationally. Similar to other Hilton brands, most Embassy Suites hotels are independently...
Orlando - Downtown - Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando (MarriottMarriott InternationalMarriott International, Inc. is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Founded by J. Willard Marriott, the company is now led by son J.W. Marriott, Jr...
) - SheratonSheraton Hotels and ResortsSheraton Hotels and Resorts is Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide's largest and second oldest brand . Starwood's headquarters are in White Plains, New York.-Sheraton history:...
Orlando Downtown Hotel - Sonesta Hotel - Orlando Downtown
Sports
Downtown is home to the Amway Center which hosts the Orlando MagicOrlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
NBA team and the Orlando Predators
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
Arena Football
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
League team.http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-calkelly-nightlife-062609062609jun26,0,1183119.column The Florida Citrus Bowl hosts The Capital One Bowl in addition to other events year round. Tinker Field
Tinker Field
Tinker Field is a stadium in Orlando, Florida. It is primarily used for baseball, and was the home field of the Orlando Rays minor league baseball team before they moved to Cracker Jack Stadium in 2000...
is a historic ballpark next to the Citrus Bowl.
Diplomatic Missions
- BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Consulate Orlando - MexicanMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
Consulate Orlando - Consulate of HaitiHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
Orlando - FrenchFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Consulate Orlando - ArgentineArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
Consulate Orlando - Consulate of the Ivory Coast - Orlando
- DutchNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Consulate in Orlando - AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n Consulate in Orlando - JamaicaJamaicaJamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n Consulate Orlando
Resulting from Orlando's reputation as a major international destination and many countries establishing embassies in the city, Orlando now has the second highest number of foreign consulates in Florida next to Miami.
Popular culture
Downtown Orlando's skyline can be seen in the films Passenger 57Passenger 57
Passenger 57 is a 1992 American action film starring Wesley Snipes and Bruce Payne. The film's success made Snipes a popular action hero icon.-Plot:...
, Ernest Saves Christmas
Ernest Saves Christmas
Ernest Saves Christmas is a 1988 Touchstone Pictures comedy film directed by John R. Cherry III and starring Jim Varney. It is the third film to feature the character Ernest P. Worrell, and chronicles Ernest's attempt to find a replacement for an aging Santa Claus.-Plot:A man who claims to be Santa...
, D.A.R.Y.L.
D.A.R.Y.L.
D.A.R.Y.L. is a 1985 American science fiction film which was written by David Ambrose, Allan Scott and Jeffrey Ellis. It was directed by Simon Wincer and stars Barret Oliver, Mary Beth Hurt, Michael McKean, Danny Corkill, and Josef Sommer...
, Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector
Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector
Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector is a 2006 comedy film starring American stand-up comedian Larry the Cable Guy. Larry, a municipal restaurant health inspector, is assigned a new rookie partner after recklessly closing restaurants for code violations, Amy Butlin , by his boss, Bart Tatlock...
, Lethal Weapon 3
Lethal Weapon 3
Lethal Weapon 3 is a 1992 American action film directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo and Stuart Wilson. It is a sequel to Lethal Weapon and Lethal Weapon 2, and it is part of the Lethal Weapon film series.The movie is set in 1992, six years after...
(doubled for Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
), and Miami Connection (doubled for downtown Miami
Downtown Miami
Downtown Miami is an urban residential neighborhood, and the central business district of Miami, Miami-Dade County, and South Florida in the United States...
).
Seven Mary Three
Seven Mary Three
Seven Mary Three, occasionally abbreviated to 7 Mary 3 or 7M3, is an American hard rock band. They have released seven studio albums and one live album, and are best known for their hit singles "Cumbersome", "Water's Edge", "Lucky", and "Wait"....
's fourth studio album is entitled Orange Avenue.
Future plans
Downtown is the focus region for major development projects that have already been approved by the City of Orlando. Some of these projects are under construction, with completion nearing the end of 2010. The largest of these initiatives, The Triple Crown for Downtown, is already underway.- 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 MagicOrlando MagicThe Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
and the Orlando PredatorsOrlando PredatorsThe Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
of the Arena Football League. In addition to other events, the venue will also bring major concerts back to Orlando. - Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts - Located across from City Hall on Orange Ave, it will replace the Bob Carr Performing Arts CentreBob Carr Performing Arts CentreThe Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre is a major performing arts auditorium in Orlando, Florida and seats 2,518. It is part of the larger Orlando Centroplex organization which manages several facilities....
and will be built in phases. Phase I, scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010, will include a 2,800 seat amplified hall and a 300 seat theater for smaller productions. Phase II, construction date unknown, will include a 1,700 seat acoustic hall for ballet, orchestra, and opera performances. - Florida Citrus Bowl - Originally scheduled for a $75million renovation, decreases in tourist tax revenues have forced city leaders to re-evaluate their options for this facility. Plans now call for far less money to be spent on renovations and may now include a few cosmetic changes to the stadium.
A more ambitious project planned for downtown calls for completely transforming the Orlando Centroplex, the home of the current Amway Arena, into a "Creative Village". The project is to be privately funded and plans call for satellite schools for the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
and the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
, 1000000 square feet (92,903 m²) of office space, residential apartment buildings, and a large central park with sporting facilities and an amphitheater.