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Midtown Development, Heatherwick Studios tapped for Orlando Sentinel site redevelopment
Summary
Midtown Development said it will move forward on a long-term redevelopment of the roughly 20‑acre Orlando Sentinel site, engaging Heatherwick Studios for design work; city and private leaders called the project catalytic for downtown growth.
Midtown Development announced plans to redevelop the Orlando Sentinel site, a roughly 20‑acre parcel in the heart of Downtown Orlando, and has engaged London‑based Heatherwick Studios to work on the design.
The announcement came during the Downtown Orlando Partnership’s 2025 State of Downtown event, where Midtown representatives cited five reasons for committing to the project: what they described as visionary, professional and stable city government; alignment with the Downtown Orlando (DTO) plan; a highly engaged community; strong demographic and economic growth; and the availability of a contiguous parcel suited to major redevelopment.
“This parcel doesn’t have any of the negatives of redevelopment — no need to move out businesses or people — and we can use it as a blueprint to carry on that vision,” said a Midtown Development representative who outlined the firm’s rationale for proceeding. Thomas Heatherwick, whose studio’s past work includes public projects such as Little Island in New York, appeared in a video message saying his team is “very excited to be working with the city on the future of Downtown Orlando.”
Mayor Buddy Dyer said the site (at Colonial and Orange avenues) is strategically important and described ongoing collaboration between the city, Midtown and design partners as an opportunity to craft a high‑quality, long‑term district. He noted the city’s role in reviewing building codes, land‑use requirements and in shaping the project through partnership rather than simple plan review.
Representatives described the initiative as an initial, long‑term engagement rather than a completed design package: planning and design remain early-stage, and speakers emphasized the intent to pursue high‑quality, phased development rather than a quick build. Midtown said the effort could span decades and described the aim as creating thousands of housing units, dozens of businesses and significant public gathering space at the district’s heart.
Next steps indicated by speakers include continued coordination with city staff and the Downtown Development Board and further design work with Heatherwick Studios. No formal land‑use approvals, funding commitments or construction start dates were announced at the event.
Provenance: Midtown’s reasons and the engagement with Heatherwick Studios were introduced in remarks beginning with the panel discussion (first related mention at SEG 434) and continued through the mayor’s and Heatherwick’s remarks (last related remark at SEG 1178).
