Miami-based Property Markets Group (PMG), the developer chosen by the Orlando Housing Authority, has unveiled plans for a major mixed-income community on the former site of the Griffin Park housing project in Parramore. The conceptual proposal outlines four towers with a total of 1,000 apartments, of which 725 will be affordable.
The nine-acre site at 520 Callahan Drive would feature an 18-story tower on its eastern side, offering 275 market-rate family apartments. Three additional 10-story towers are planned, providing 565 affordable units for families and 160 affordable units for seniors. While these plans are preliminary and subject to change, Dan Coakley, a Principal with PMG Affordable, stated that the 1,000-unit figure represents the “upper end” of their vision, and the final density may be somewhat lower.
This project is poised to be a significant development for Orlando, transforming a previously dilapidated public housing site into a modern community offering much-needed below-market-rate apartments for struggling families in the region.
The proposed towers are expected to include a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments. Each building may also feature its own amenities like a clubhouse, gym, lounge, and pool, though these details are still being finalized.
The need for affordable housing in Florida, and particularly in Orlando, is critical. A 2023 report from Apartment List revealed that Florida has the highest percentage of cost-burdened renters in the nation, with approximately 60% of renters in the state and Orlando area spending over 30% of their income on rent. This significantly surpasses the national average of 52% and even exceeds rates in typically expensive markets like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.
Coakley emphasized the prime location of the development: “It’s rare to have the opportunity to put so much affordable housing close to the employment centers.” He highlighted the advantage of this former public housing site’s proximity to downtown, especially given the current affordable housing crisis in Orlando.
In line with the city’s vision for mixed-use development, the project also proposes a 15,000-square-foot grocery store on the ground floor of one of the buildings. Additionally, there will be 15,000 square feet of retail space and a 15,000-square-foot community center incorporated into two existing buildings that the city has preserved. These original structures will serve as historical markers for Griffin Park and the surrounding Parramore community, with the community center specifically celebrating the rich African American history of the area.
The Griffin Park housing development, built in 1940 with 171 units, was demolished last September after being unoccupied since 2022. Former residents had consistently raised concerns about living conditions, including noise, air pollution, pests, mold, and rust, leading Orlando Housing Authority Director Vivian Bryant to deem it “structurally obsolete.”
PMG is committed to offering former Griffin Park residents “the first right to return” once the initial affordable phase of the new community is complete. The developer is also implementing measures, such as vegetation and strategic site programming, to mitigate noise from the adjacent I-4 and 408 highways.
John Crossman, a local real estate expert and OHA Board Commissioner, expressed excitement about Parramore’s growth, citing this project and the nearby $500 million Westcourt sports and entertainment district as key contributors. He commended the redevelopment of Griffin Park, stating, “We need more affordable housing in our community, and it’s an outstanding location.