New hospitals, apartments among top-15 biggest projects seeking permits in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Some of Orlando’s biggest commercial construction projects in the pipeline can’t start work yet.

Three of the 15 largest building permits by estimated cost — that have sought approvals since the beginning of 2020 — have been issued by the city of Orlando, according to Orlando Business Journal research. In total, the projects add up to $764.5 million in new construction in Orlando and may create 7,645 temporary construction jobs alone, based on industry standards. Without permits though, that means thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in projects can’t begin.

The city of Orlando can take months to issue a building permit. Consider: a building permit was requested on Feb. 5 to start construction on Deseo Grande — a joint venture between Tampa-based American Landmark Apartments and Sunny Isles Beach-based Dezer Development at the former Artegon Marketplace, according to city of Orlando records. But the estimated $78 million, 365-unit project wasn’t issued a building permit until July 31. After that, the project’s development team held a ceremonial groundbreaking Sept. 1, according to a press release. Companies involved in the project include general contractor Brighton, Michigan-based BCC Construction Group; Orlando-based architect Baker Barrios Architects of Orlando; and Tampa-based VHB Engineering.

Click here to read Jack Witthaus’s story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.

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