New 37-Story Luxury Tower Planned Across from Lake Eola

The mixed-use development would include a 5-star hotel and residential units.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:35pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished, geometric glass model of a tall, contemporary skyscraper, placed elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background with dramatic lighting and shadows, conceptually representing the proposed mixed-use tower development in downtown Orlando.A conceptual rendering of the proposed 37-story luxury tower development across from Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.Today in Orlando

The owner of a vacant lot across from Lake Eola in downtown Orlando has filed plans to build a new 37-story tower with a luxury hotel and residences. The project, designed by Miami-based Kobi Karp Architecture, would feature a 221-room hotel and 252 dwelling units, along with ground-floor retail and dining. The developers are seeking a zoning change to accommodate the taller, mixed-use building, which would be one of the tallest in the area.

Why it matters

This project represents a major new investment in downtown Orlando's hospitality and residential sectors, further transforming the area around Lake Eola. It could attract more visitors and residents to the urban core, boosting the local economy, but also raises questions about the impact on the historic St. George Orthodox Church nearby.

The details

The proposed 37-story tower would be built on a .63-acre vacant lot at the corner of Rosalind Avenue and Washington Street, across from Lake Eola. The developers are seeking a zoning change to allow for the mixed-use project, which would include a 221-room luxury hotel and 252 residential units. They are also requesting flexibility to swap the hotel for 135,000 square feet of office space based on market demand. The ground floor would feature retail and dining, with separate lobbies and amenities for the hotel and residential components.

  • In 2018, the current owners purchased the vacant lot for $3 million with plans to build a 155-room Cambria hotel, but those plans were later revised and never materialized.
  • In 2023, Lincoln Property Co. also eyed the property for a mixed-use tower but did not move forward with the project.
  • The developers are now seeking a new Planned Development zoning to accommodate the 37-story tower.

The players

Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design

The Miami-based architecture firm leading the design of the new 37-story tower. They have designed similar luxury hotel and residential projects, including two Four Seasons-branded properties in Florida.

Jason Searl

The land use attorney representing the developers in seeking the zoning change for the project.

St. George Orthodox Church

The historic church located across Rosalind Avenue from the proposed development site.

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What they’re saying

“We envision an exciting and transformative mixed-use project with separate residential, hospitality, and ground floor retail / food and beverage components.”

— Jason Searl, Land Use Attorney

“Its sculpted contemporary form, softened by elegant horizontal lines and rounded corners, gives the tower a refined architectural identity while maintaining an inviting pedestrian scale at street level.”

— Jason Searl, Land Use Attorney

What’s next

The developers must receive approval for the zoning change from the city in order to move forward with the 37-story tower project.

The takeaway

This proposed luxury tower represents a major new investment in downtown Orlando's hospitality and residential sectors, further transforming the area around the iconic Lake Eola. However, the project's scale and proximity to the historic St. George Orthodox Church raise questions about its impact on the surrounding neighborhood.