There are several new businesses and two residential subdivisions being developed along Plant Street scheduled to open in the next year.

Starting at the West end of downtown, there is a new townhouse development coming at the corner of Plant Street and South Park Avenue which has been approved for 24 units.  The developer recently requested to add 8 more units to the development for a total of 32 units.  OrangeObserver.com quoted Franco Scala from F&J Developers, LLC as saying “All the units will be three bedrooms and range in size from 2,100 to 2,500 square feet.” Pricing details have not yet been released.  Construction is expected to start in the next 4 to 5 months and will take around 18 months for the project to be completed.

Heading East along Plant Street, there is a multi-use building being constructed next door to The Plant Street Market and Crooked Can Brewery.  It is being built by the same developer who built The Plant Street Market.  It will host 3 restaurants; Matthews Steak House, Burger Craft, and 4 Locos on the first floor with the second story hosting office space, much of which will be used by the Crooked Can Brewery for operations.  Currently, there is no word on whether the remaining office space will be up for lease.  The building will be built in a similar theme as the Crooked Can Brewery and Plant Street Market, melding in with the giant live oaks as an old warehouse space that looks like it’s been around much longer than it actually has.  The developer broke ground in early April and construction is moving along.

Moving further down Plant Street, we have a new fresh Mexican restaurant coming to town.  The Whole Enchilada is said to feature fresh Mexican dishes and spirits.  It is located where Encore Furniture was between The Sacred Olive and Adjectives Market.  The old building has been torn away with only the facade remaining.  The Whole Enchilada will feature an interior dining space and an upstairs bar and patio overlooking Plant Street.  This is sure to be a great place to grab a margarita and nachos and watch the traffic of the West Orange Trail roll by.

On the east end of Downtown Winter Garden a new residential development has been approved and broken ground.  Heritage at Plant Street has been approved for 43 townhomes and 41 single family homes. The Castlestone warehouse, which was previously located here, was recently torn down.  Currently the lot is fenced and being cleared.  Prices are expected to be from the mid 200s for townhouses and 300s for single family homes.  The community is expected to be golf cart friendly and will feature a community pool and other ammenities.  The developer is MI homes.  More details on this property should emerge later this year.