List extra: Here are the 5 priciest local projects
Central Florida’s largest construction companies are involved in some pretty huge projects.
The region’s popularity, diverse landscape, economic opportunities and growing population have resulted in demand for more apartments, shops, restaurants, hotels, warehouses and factories. That demand has created fertile ground for developers seeking to capitalize on all Central Florida has to offer — which creates more opportunities for the local offices of general contractors.
Construction is one of Central Florida’s key industries, as it creates jobs as well as subcontractor and vendor opportunities for local businesses. In fact, nearly $2.8 billion worth of construction permits, both residential and commercial, were pulled in this year’s first quarter for projects in the area, up from $2.1 billion the year prior, per Dodge Construction Network data.
Below is a closer look at the five most expensive construction projects underway by some of the area’s largest construction companies and general contractors, based on Orlando Business Journal research:
Glasshouse at O-Town: $261.36 million
Construction is underway at Glasshouse at O-Town West apartments near Walt Disney World.
- What it is: Apartments
- Size:1.94 million SF
- Estimated completion: Nov. 10, 2022
- General contractor: Roger B. Kennedy Construction
- Developer: Unicorp National Developments Inc.
- Architect: Kreiger Klatt Architecture
Evermore Resort Orlando Conrad Hotel: $174.51 million
The guest arrival area at the 433-room Conrad Orlando.
- What it is: Resort hotel
- Size: 530,000 SF
- Estimated completion: Feb. 22, 2023
- General contractor: PCL Construction Services Inc.
- Developer: Dart Interests
- Architect: HKS Architects Inc.
City Center O-Town: $125 million
City Center at O-Town West office complex rendering
- What it is: Mixed-use
- Size: 300,000 SF
- Estimated completion: October 13, 2022
- General contractor/architect: Finfrock
- Developer: Unicorp
Innovation Tower: $105 million
AdventHealth broke ground on Innovation Tower in February 2021.
- What it is: Medical office
- Size: 350,000 SF
- Estimated completion: June 29, 2022
- General contractor: Batson-Cook Construction Co.
- Architect: Hunton Brady Architects
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital: $104 million
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital soon will start construction to expand its medical campus.
- What it is: Bed tower expansion and renovation
- Size: 165,000
- Estimated completion: Dec. 15, 2023
- General contractor: Robins & Morton
- Architect: HKS Architects Inc.
Source: Orlando Business Journal research
Construction values
Values of commercial construction projects in Central Florida — Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties — nearly tripled in March 2022 when compared to a year ago, and this year’s first quarter saw a 77% jump when compared to the year-earlier period. Here’s a look and both residential and commercial values:
Period Commercial value Residential value
March 2021 $164.4M $600.3M
March 2022 $439.2M $594.3M
Q1 2021 $552.7M $1.5B
Q1 2022 $975.7M $1.8B
Source: Dodge Construction Network