Unicorp's Chuck Whittall plans new 'super luxury' Orlando project

Welcome to Orlando Business Journal's weekly LinkedIn newsletter. I'm Digital Producer/Senior Staff Writer Richard Bilbao, rounding up Orlando business news to keep you in the know when time is short.

Unicorp National Developments Inc. is eyeing a “super luxury” project on the periphery of its $1 billion-plus O-Town West mixed-use development, President?Chuck Whittall?told?Orlando Business Journal.

Unicorp soon will begin working on plans for a 200-unit "super luxury apartment complex" west of South Apopka Vineland Road and Daryl Carter Parkway, adjacent the Rosen Jewish Community Center of Southwest Orlando, Whittall said.

"There’s nothing like this in Central Florida."

The Orlando-based mega developer's project — The Luxe at Dr. Phillips — will feature finishes more in line with those of a high-end condo or luxury single-family residence, like real hardwood floors and top-tier countertops, Whittall said.

Go here to learn more about the project and what's coming next.

And now onto other big business deals, transactions and activity headlines from the week.

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Real estate news of the week

Check out some of the biggest names in local real estate and what they're up to:

• Exclusive: Prime 2-acre downtown property near Orlando arts center hits market: It’s not often that two contiguous acres in downtown go up for sale. Given the proximity to Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, highways and city hall, the site one day could be home to a signature mixed-use development for the central business district.
• New Lake Nona project by Tavistock attracts Inc. 5000 tech firm Playfair Data: Amid a challenging landscape for office real estate, Lake Nona has had success as?a destination for corporate expansions and relocations?— particularly with tech firms.

• New taproom inks lease in downtown Orlando's North Quarter: The ground-floor retail component of the Camden North Quarter mixed-use building has inked a new concept.
• David Siegel sold this property. Here's what the buyer has planned: Last month, timeshare giant?David Siegel's Central Florida Investments Inc.?parted ways with one of its prime Orlando properties?— a 5.66-acre parcel near Universal Orlando that it sold for $10 million. Now, the plans of the buyer — Wellington-based Bainbridge Cos. — are coming into view.

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Orlando news bites

You don't want to miss these top stories:

• Florida to get high-wage jobs from French jet maker Dassault Aviation's construction project: A French jet manufacturer will bring hundreds of high-wage jobs to a maintenance facility it will build on Florida’s Space Coast.?The construction of the large maintenance center may create subcontractor opportunities for local businesses.
• Hottest neighborhoods: Homes sell the fastest in these 10 Central Florida areas: Central Florida homes take longer to sell as the U.S. housing market slows —?but that's not the case everywhere.
• Iconic I-Drive Castle Hotel sold to Atlanta investor: International Drive's unique Castle Hotel property is in the hands of a new owner — after trading hands just two years ago.

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Restaurant news & notes

We're always hungry for new places to eat. Check these out:

• Exclusive: Chipotle to open new restaurant near Universal Orlando: The Newport Beach, California-based, fast-casual Mexican chain (NYSE: CMG) has submitted plans for a 2,325-square-foot building with a drive-thru at 9930 Universal Blvd.
• Disney’s Victoria & Albert's among Yelp's top ‘upscale’ Orlando restaurants: Top restaurants can serve as meeting venues or for business leaders to take clients to close deals and/or build relationships.
• How Kissimmee's World Food Trucks park became one of the largest in the nation: The food truck park at 5805 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway will add another 45 mobile vendors by next summer.

(Personal note from Richard: It's great to see the region's restaurant industry grow and welcome new concepts every day. Regions like downtown Orlando, Lake Nona, I-Drive and more have many options for locals and visitors. As a resident of the great city of Apopka, I'd like to make a formal request to any restaurateurs to bring some eateries to the northwestern side of Orange County. We welcome more options .... pretty please.)

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Nominations & Events

Things to put on your busy calendar:

• Nominations now being accepted for 2023 Women Who Mean Business
• Register now for the 2022 Power Players celebration, set for Nov. 8.

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Finally ... make your voice heard!

Several?OBJ?polls are live. Click on one to let us know what you're thinking.

• How do you feel about your workplace technology?
• Where do you want Brightline to add stations?
• Will your company add or cut jobs in Q4 2022?

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Well, that's all for this week's top headlines and thanks for supporting?OBJ.

This weekly round-up of Orlando business news was compiled by Richard Bilbao, OBJ's digital producer and senior staff writer. Questions? Comments? Concerns? News tips? Send them to [email protected].