City Celebrates Grand Opening of The Beacon at Creative Village

City Celebrates Grand Opening of The Beacon at Creative Village

Last updated on October 06, 2026

WHAT:
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose will join City Commissioners, the City of Orlando's Community Redevelopment Agency, Atlantic Housing Partners, Bank of America Community Development Company, and Ustler Development, Inc., to cut the ribbon for The Beacon at Creative Village, Orlando's newest affordable housing community for households making at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). The City of Orlando remains committed to ensuring that every person, regardless of economic status, has access to quality housing that is safe and affordable.

According to 2024 U.S. Census data, 60.5% of Orlando households are renters. This grand opening brings 115 new affordable apartment homes to Parramore and downtown Orlando marking another step forward in Orlando's work to expand its housing inventory through the city's Orlando Unlocked initiative. This comprehensive housing initiative is designed to unlock new opportunities for development by modernizing zoning, streamlining approvals, and offering incentives like density bonuses and impact fee waivers.

Through Orlando Unlocked, the city supported this new housing development in several ways. The city's Community Redevelopment Agency provided $1,220,000 to facilitate construction. The city worked with Atlantic Housing Partners to provide a density bonus and expedite permitting and helped secure more than $350,000 in transportation and parks impact fee waivers. The city also worked with the Orange County School Board to procure more than $775,000 in school impact fee waivers to support the development.

Every unit of housing matters. With the completion of this development, Creative Village is now home to more than 1,000 multifamily apartments for residents at all income levels, in addition to 640 student housing beds, and 112 apartments currently under construction on Parcel H at the south end of Luminary Green Park.

Creative Village is a 68-acre mixed-use innovation district, that through public/private partnership is transforming the former Amway Arena site into a vibrant blend of preschool through higher education, mixed-income residential and student housing, office space and creative studios, retail, restaurants, park space and transit options. Creative Village is part of the City's commitment to the revitalization of Parramore, by providing new paths to education, careers, business development, housing and community opportunities.

Following the ribbon cutting, attendees will get a first look at the newly completed apartment homes and state-of-the-art fitness center. The Beacon at Creative Village includes 18 units reserved for residents with incomes at or below 30% of the AMI and 70 units reserved for residents with incomes at or below 60% of the AMI. Studio, one-, and two-bedroom layouts are available at each income level. In addition to the fitness center, the pet-friendly community also has a clubhouse and resident lounge. The property features rooftop solar panels to help reduce electric costs for residents, and apartments include granite countertops, clean touch appliances and generous storage space. Residents will have access to adult literacy, employment assistance and financial management programs, free of charge.

Interested residents should call 407.903.1582 or visit beaconatcreativevillage.com to apply.

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
10:30 a.m.

WHERE:
The Beacon at Creative Village
670 West Amelia Street

WHO:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose
David Barilla, Executive Director, Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency
W. Scott Culp, Principal Partner, Atlantic Housing Partners
Craig Ustler, President, Ustler Development, Inc.
Jodie Hardman, Central Florida Market Executive, Bank of America

MEDIA INFORMATION:
Parking is available on-site at The Beacon at Creative Village. Please use the driveway entrance on the west side of Putnam Avenue, just south of West Amelia Street.

BACKGROUND:
Atlantic Housing Partners are national leaders in the development of affordable/attainable housing. Based in Central Florida, they have become a strong force in the industry utilizing their expertise in real estate, finance, and construction while working effectively with local government entities to expedite approvals in the development process. Atlantic's principals and their affiliates have developed over 150 communities in over 8 different states, producing more than 40,000 units.

Bank of America Community Development Company, LLC (BACDC) is a for-profit, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America, dedicated to the urban revitalization of cities throughout our nation, and is focused on the creation and preservation of affordable housing. BACDC is a leader in public/private partnerships specializing in master development of mixed-use communities and neighborhood reinvestment through the development of sustainable multifamily and senior housing.

For more than 25 years, Ustler Development, Inc. has focused on a diverse array of transformative urban infill projects in Downtown Orlando neighborhoods. Notable projects include Thornton Park Central, 801 North Orange, the GAI Building, The Ivy - Residences at Health Village, Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Orlando, Alta at Health Village Apartments, 800 North Orange, UnionWest, The Julian Apartments and the Electronic Arts Orlando Studio at Creative Village. Ustler has developed more than $450 million in Downtown Orlando projects.

Creative Village is a public private partnership between Creative Village Development, LLC ("CVD") and the City of Orlando. CVD acts as master developer and facilitates various vertical development projects. Ustler leads the master development team and BACDC is a partner. To learn more visit, creativevillageorlando.com.

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