Over the past few issues, we’ve rediscovered some of Central Florida’s best neighborhoods to live, work and play. This month, we explore Downtown Orlando and its historic neighborhoods. With tree-lined streets paved with brick cobblestones and the famous fountain at Lake Eola, this area is home to some of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.
The epicenter of Downtown Orlando is a cultural and entertainment destination, with four community venues that showcase live musical concerts, acclaimed performing arts, as well as national and collegiate sporting events, including two Major League Soccer teams – the Orlando City Lions and Orlando Pride. The heart of the city is Lake Eola, a popular park those who frequent the surrounding eateries and the weekly Farmers Market.
From Delaney Park to Thorton Park to Lake Eola Heights, historic homes blend with trendy, modern high-rise condominiums spread across the growing city skyline. Downtown Orlando continues to show healthy growth in real estate sales as well. Looking back at the 2015 Hillman Report, the median sale price in the 32801 and 32806 zip codes for lakefront properties was $360,000, $224,000 for non-lakefront properties and $173,250 for condominiums.
With a bevy of new housing options for empty-nesters and Millennials and a thriving entertainment and arts district, the city’s urban feel will continue to draw buyers from around the region. If you’re considering a new home, take a weekend and rediscover the heart of the City Beautiful.
Friday Night
Start your weekend with a getaway at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Inside the artfully adorned hotel is the Bösendorfer Lounge, which features classic cocktails and live jazz performances every Friday and Saturday. At the Boheme Restaurant, the acclaimed menu features dishes perfect for an elegant evening.
Saturday Morning
Get up early to walk or jog around Lake Eola and you’re guaranteed to run into someone you know. If you prefer to stroll and smell the roses, the 50-acre Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens is home to more than 1,000 rose bushes and features the largest collection of camellias in North America. Be sure to visit the citrus grove and butterfly garden.
Saturday Afternoon
Whether you’re a sports fan or an art enthusiast, you’re sure to spend the night being entertained. Try cheering on the Orlando Magic at Amway Center, filling the bowl for Orlando City or Orlando Pride at the Camping World Stadium (formerly known as the Citrus Bowl), or taking in the latest Broadway show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Downtown proves that entertainment expands far beyond the theme parks.
Saturday Night
Explore the Thorton Park District, pegged as the “Downtown for Grownups,” with its cosmopolitan feel of pricey condominiums, restaurants, and high-end fashion boutiques. The Southern Contemporary menu at Soco and the ever-popular Shari Sushi remain favorite local spots.
Sunday Morning
No visit is complete without a visit to the Orlando Farmers Market. This is not your average marketplace! Find handcrafted jewelry, arts and crafts, fresh produce, baked goods, and a sampling of some of Central Florida’s best cuisine. Stroll the vendors and take home a new collectible.
Sunday Afternoon
Downtown’s newest eatery still has the town buzzing. Wahlburgers, named after the celebrity brothers, serves up tasty burgers with a side of “Wahl Sauce” and nostalgia that can’t be beaten.
Scott Hillman is president of Fannie Hillman + Associates and a monthly contributor to The Park Press.