It’s the conversation every Orlando real estate insider has been having: What is going to happen to the old Orlando Sentinel property?
Just two weeks ago, Alexie Fonseca, Senior VP for Colliers, voiced what many were thinking. During a NAIOP panel, she was asked to name her “dream” redevelopment site. Her answer was instant: the former newspaper campus. She called it a “sexy site” that could finally bridge the gap in our downtown landscape.
As it turns out, her intuition was spot on.
A Vision Years in the Making
Midtown Development, led by Alex Vadia and Richard Perez, has played it close to the vest since purchasing the nearly 20-acre site for $35.1 million back in 2016. After years of quiet, the silence has finally been broken with a staggering $2 billion master plan that promises to be nothing short of transformational.
This isn’t Midtown’s first rodeo in Orlando. They’re the same team that paved the way for the 27-story Society Orlando tower. But this new project is on a completely different scale.
Bringing “Living Architecture” to Orlando
To lead the design, Midtown has tapped world-renowned London architect Thomas Heatherwick. If you aren’t familiar with his work, think “nature meets skyscraper.” Heatherwick is famous for biophilic design—an approach that weaves organic forms, lush greenery, and natural elements directly into the steel and glass of the city.
What can we expect from the new district?
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Thousands of new homes and dozens of local businesses.
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A “gathering space” at its heart, designed to be the soul of the neighborhood.
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A pedestrian-first layout, extending the street grid to create walkable, active blocks (some closed to cars entirely!).
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Greenery everywhere, from rooftop forests to glassed-in atriums.
While the excitement is high, we’re going to need a little patience. Transforming 20 acres of industrial newspaper history into a modern urban oasis doesn’t happen overnight.
According to city officials, the first major move—the demolition of the existing buildings and parking lots—is slated for 2026. From there, the project will move through rezoning and master planning, with a total buildout that could span several decades.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just another apartment complex; it’s a total reimagining of what downtown Orlando can be. By bringing high-density living and world-class architecture to this “sexy” site, Midtown is looking to create a true destination where people can work, play, and actually breathe in the heart of the city.
The era of the printing press is over, but for this massive corner of downtown, the most exciting chapter is just beginning.