Orlando is a relatively young city that is still establishing the shape and character of its neighborhoods.
Developer Embrey’s 345-unit apartment building Citron at the Packing District fits squarely into this mission, transforming a former industrial commercial zone into one of the most sought-after locales in the city.
The apartments come in one- and two-bedroom floor plans featuring high ceilings, wood-style flooring, quartz countertops and garden tubs or glass-enclosed showers.
Dr. Phillips Charities, an Orlando-based philanthropic organization, is leading the effort to redevelop the 202-acre Packing District. The brickwork around the first floor of Citron hints at the working-class roots of the neighborhood, once the heart of citrus-packing operations.
Today, the upscale Great Southern Box Company food hall sits across the street, and the community includes an urban farm and a 100-acre park underway.
“This development is a signature piece of the Dr. Phillips Charities vision to celebrate the city’s heritage while creating a dynamic destination for living, working and gathering,” said Janet Galvin, co-founder and tenant and landlord representation for Archon Commercial Advisors and a judge in the CoStar Impact Awards competition.
The transformation of this property into housing that honors the city’s past and revitalizes the Packing District is why it earned a CoStar Impact Award, as judged by real estate industry experts in the region.
About the project: Residents have a pool in the courtyard, and the fifth floor offers an expansive amenity deck, including a fitness studio with yoga, a dog park and a business center.
What the judges said: “The continued advancement of the Packing District redevelopment is forever changing the landscape for that corridor of Orlando and unlocking a tremendous opportunity for residential and commercial growth,” said Trey Vick, CEO of V3 Capital Group LLC.
“This is a ‘new’ market and a little pioneering but needed to help the Packing District thrive,” said Adam Wonus, partner at Atrium Management Co. in Orlando, Florida. “The architecture turned out great for the area.”
They made it happen: The Embrey development team included Trey Embrey, president and CEO; Garrett Karam, chief investment officer; Brad Knolle, executive vice president of development; Joel Albea, vice president of development; Garrett Fox, director of development; and Holly Smith, property manager.