Downtown Sanford mixed-use project takes shape
It’s been through three years of revisions, but plans by Suncor Properties to redevelop the vacant land next to Henry’s Depot food hall in downtown Sanford are finally hitting the home stretch of city approvals.
The developer originally wanted to build 100 apartments at the site, then plans changed to bring a hotel on the property, but those shifted as well when Suncor Properties began proposing a hybrid of the two ideas. The latest proposal is a combination of efforts made by Suncor to get a greater return on their invested capital and the wishes of nearby residents and business owners, who wanted to see a mixed-use project that will serve the community while also honoring its old-town suburban atmosphere.
“We acquired this property three years ago, and it’s taken us the entire three years to find the highest and best use for the property,” BobHorian, an executive at Suncor, told Sanford city commissioners last month during the first of two public hearings to rezone the property. “We think we finally hit a unique plateau by dividing the property in half.”
To the north of Suncor’s 1.83 acres at 200W. 1st St., the developer plans to build 32 two-story townhomes that will feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two-car garages.
On the northwest corner of First Street and North Oak Avenue, the developer is planning to build a 50-room boutique hotel. Ron Semans, another executive at Suncor, told GrowthSpotter the company is currently negotiating with two national flags for the hotel.
“A hotel is exactly what is needed in Sanford,” Semans, said. “There are so many events happening in downtown, if there’s a wedding, there’s no place to stay.”
The site is part of Sanford’s historic downtown district, with roots that date back to the 1880s when itwas used as a rail station and eventually became part of the Orange Belt Railroad system, established by transportation mogul Henry B. Plant, which stretched152 miles between Sanford and St. Petersburg.
Build-for-Rent developer buys site
The largest single-family Build-for-Rent (BFR) operator in the nation has pulled the trigger on a land deal that will bring 222 purpose-built rental homes to the Orlando market.
California-based American Homes 4 Rent paid $5.77 million last week for Phase 1 of the 143-acre former St. Cloud Airfield property on Michigan Avenue, just south of St. Cloud High School.
Brent Landry, Senior Vice President of Development for AH4R, told GrowthSpotter the location, walking distance to schools, made the project especially attractive.
“Our customers place a pretty heavy emphasis on schools,” he said. “Our customerswant everything that a newhome purchaser wants — they just enjoy the flexibility and low maintenance of leasing.”
The neighborhood will be called Sky Lakes, as a nod to its aviation past. Landry said the companywould offer at least five floorplans ranging from three to five bedrooms, with rents starting at $1,800. Each house will have a two-car garage and fenced back yard, and the company provides on-site management and lawn care.
“Because we own and operate so many homes, we’re pretty confident thatwe knowwhat today’s consumer wants, so we put in those upscale finishes, whether it’s stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, 100% hard surface flooring,” Landry said. “They’re good-looking homes.”
AH4R requires a minimum 1-year lease, but most tenants tend to stay three years, he said.
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