[2022] The Top Cities for Upcoming Construction in Florida
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the housing market across the United States, but perhaps nowhere more significantly than in Florida. The construction furor in the Sunshine State has proven that Florida isn’t just for snowbirds and tourists anymore.
Instead, families and young professionals are flocking to the state to take advantage of the weather, growing economic opportunities, and fairly low cost of living.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, an estimated 240,256 people moved to Florida between July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020, and that number is only increasing as we move steadily through 2021.
According to a report released by the University of Central Florida, there will be about 179,000 single-family housing starts in 2021 and nearly 160,000 in 2022. The same study notes that between 2021 and 2024, Florida’s economy is expected to expand at an average rate of 3.9%.
This is all good news for builders across nearly every construction sector. A strong economy paired with out-of-staters rushing to find housing means that in addition to homes, residents will need schools, medical centers and hospitals, retail options, restaurant, and dining spaces, and neighborhood cultural and recreational buildings.
Jacksonville:
Construction activity location analytics in Jacksonville, Florida from Geospex™ by BCI BuildCentral
Jacksonville may seem like an unlikely frontrunner in Florida’s recent population explosion, but this city has actually helped put Northeastern Florida on the map in recent years. Census data shows that Jacksonville had the 15th largest population growth in the country over the last decade, adding about 90,000 residents in the span of ten years.
Jacksonville now has a population of 911,507 residents, and for context, those numbers place it right below Austin just above Charlotte, N.C.
And despite such large amounts of growth, the cost of living in Jacksonville has remained incredibly low, with statistics showing that housing costs are 11% less than the national average and a whopping 38% lower than Miami.
Jacksonville, like other Florida cities, is drawing many people from colder climates who want to take advantage of the temperate climate while working remotely. And for when business travel is back in full swing, it doesn’t hurt that Jacksonville is a short plane ride away from Atlanta, one of the biggest economic and cultural hubs in the South.
Jacksonville and the surrounding areas are quickly becoming a haven for folks wanting to own their own homes in a place that has a laid-back, small-city feel.
Mixed-Use
| Project Title: | The Shipyards Mixed-Use Development |
| Project Type/Size: | Retail/Restaurants (25,000-49,999 sq-ft), Office (25,000-49,999 sq-ft), MultiFamily (250,000+ sq-ft), Hotels/Conventions/Arenas (490,000 sq-ft), Parking Structures |
| Construction Type: | New |
| Estimated Value: | > $100 million |
| Sector: | Private |
| Location: | Jacksonville, FL 32202. NE and SE of Commodore Point Expy and A.P. Randolph St. |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of a major mixed-use development at the Shipyards riverfront downtown property that will include apartments, a 490,000-square-foot hotel and convention center, a parking structure, and 75,000 square feet of office, restaurant and retail space. |
| Stage: | Planning (Active) |
Stadium
| Project Title | Jacksonville Jaguars Stadium of the Future |
| Project Type/Size: | Athletic Facilities (125,000 sq-ft) |
| Construction Type: | New |
| Estimated Value: | $120 million |
| Sector: | Private, Public |
| Location: | Jacksonville, FL 32202. next to TIAA Bank Field |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of a 125,000-square-foot football performance center for Jacksonville Jaguars with two full-size grass practice fields and a full-size indoor practice field. |
| Stage: | Planning (Active |
Residential Subdivision
| Project Title | Granary Park | ||
| Construction Type: | New | # of Units: | 770 |
| Project Type: | For Sale | Acreage: | 290 |
| Estimated Value: | > $100 million | Price: | N/A |
| Sector: | Private | Development Type: | Market Rate |
| Location: | Jacksonville, FL 32043. SEC of Feed Mill Rd & Sandridge Rd |
| Stage: | Groundbreaking |
| Construction Start: | Q3/2021 |
| Construction End | Q3/2026 |
Health Care Facility
| Project Title: | ChenMed – Dedicated Senior Medical Center | ||
| Construction Type: | Renovation | Facility Type: | Senior, Medical Office |
| Sector: | Private | Clinical Specialties: | Geriatrics/Senior Care, Primary Care, Pharmacy |
| Estimated Value: | $1.27 million | Beds/Units: | N/A |
| System: | N/A | Operating Rooms: | N/A |
| Location: | Jacksonville, FL 32211. 1220 University Blvd N |
| Details: | Plans call for interior demolition and remodeling of a former 14,998-square-foot pharmacy to establish a new dedicated senior medical center. Services will include specialist medical providers, pharmaceutical services, preventive health care counseling and management of chronic conditions. |
| Stage: | Groundbreaking |
| Construction Start: | Q3/2021 |
| Construction End: | Q4/2021 |
Hotel
| Project Title: | AC by Marriott – St. Johns Town Center Phase IV | ||
| Construction Type: | New | Chain: | AC Hotels by Marriott |
| Estimated Value: | $5-$25 million | Franchise: | Marriott International Inc. |
| Rooms: | 118 | Scale: | Mid-Range |
| Location: | Jacksonville, FL 32246. St. Johns Town Center at NW Butler Blvd and Interstate 295 |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of a 72,000-square-foot AC Hotel by Marriott with 118 rooms as part of the fourth phase of the St. Johns Town Center. |
| Stage: | Starts in 4-12 months |
| Construction Start: | 12/2021 |
| Construction End: | Q2/2023 |
Miami:
Construction activity location analytics in Miami, Florida from Geospex™ by BCI BuildCentral
Recently, Miami has pinged the radars of top tech and finance players, with companies like Blackstone Group and Starwood Capital Group moving to the city and corporations like Goldman Sachs laying the groundwork to eventually relocate their asset-management division among the palm trees.
In addition to a hot finance sector, several Silicon Valley leaders, fueled by Mayor Francis Suarez’s enthusiasm to position Miami as a tech hub, have left California in favor of Florida’s lower commercial costs and lack of state income tax.
And while Miami is no longer a destination only for tourists, hospitality is still strong. The University of Central Florida predicts that leisure and hospitality services are still expected to have the strongest job growth over the next three years, with an average of 4.8%. Miami’s future looks promising. Projects to watch in Miami:
Dispensary
| Project Title: | Bill’s Nursery, Inc. Cannabis Dispensary |
| Project Type/Size: | Retail (< 10,000 sq-ft) |
| Construction Type: | Addition/Expansion, Flash Projects |
| Estimated Value: | < $1 million |
| Sector: | Private |
| Location: | Miami, FL 33130. 172 W Flagler Street Suite B-D |
| Details: | Plans call for the renovation of the existing building for a cannabis dispensary and/or clinic for Bill’s Nursery, Inc. |
| Stage: | Planning (Active) |
Multi-Family Residential
| Project Title: | 501 First Residences | ||
| Construction Type: | New | # of Units: | 448 |
| Project Type: | For Sale | Building Type: | Skyscraper (40+) |
| Estimated Value: | $25-$100 million | # of Buildings: | N/A |
| Sector: | Private | Product Type: | Luxury |
| Location: | Miami, FL 33132. 501 Northeast 1st Avenue |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of a 40-story luxury tower with 448 condo residences that will range from studios to 2-bedroom floor plans and will range in size from 385 to 835 square feet. The apartments at 501 First Residences will feature built-out closets, floor-to-ceiling glass windows with custom window treatments, a balcony. |
| Stage: | Starts in 4-12 months |
| Construction Start: | Q1/2022 |
| Construction End: | Q4/2024 |
Hotel
| Project Title: | Evvo House Miami Hotel | ||
| Construction Type: | New | Chain: | Independent – Mid-Range |
| Estimated Value: | $5-$25 million | Franchise: | Independent |
| Rooms: | 81 | Scale: | Mid-Range |
| Location: | Miami, FL 33138. 8001 NE Bayshore Ct |
| Ancillary Facilities: | Food Service |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of a 59,000-square-foot 12-story hotel with 81 rooms. The ground floor will include a lobby, bar, and retail concept, the second floor and parts of the third will include a 44-car parking garage. |
| Stage: | Planning (Active) |
Senior Living
| Project Title: | 87th Avenue Assisted Living | ||
| Construction Type: | New | Facility Type: | Senior (Assisted), Medical Office |
| Sector: | Private | Clinical Specialties: | Geriatrics/Senior Care, Primary Care |
| Estimated Value: | $5-$25 million | Beds/Units: | 100+ |
| System: | N/A | Operating Rooms: | N/A |
| Location: | Miami, FL 33173. 7621 Southwest 87th Avenue |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of a 125-unit assisted living development with 40,000 square feet of medical offices. |
| Stage: | Planning (Active) |
Orlando:
Construction activity location analytics in Miami, Florida from Geospex™ by BCI BuildCentral
Orlando, long known for Disney, Universal, and as a summer destination for families with small children everywhere, is quickly becoming one of the most desirable places to live in Florida. Census data indicates that over the past decade, more than 390,000 people moved to Orlando, meaning that the city’s growth rate from 2010-2020 is almost 24%.
And while Orlando may be the land of theme parks, it is also home to a number of medical systems and hospitals, including several AdventHealth locations and the Orlando Regional Medical Center. This city is a large hub for medical professionals and support staff, offering job security for those employed in those fields and greater healthcare options to the larger Orlando community itself.
Orlando is establishing itself as the hub of central Florida and is poised to keep growing. Projects to watch in Orlando:
Health Care Facility
| Project Title: | Vertical Medical City-Orlando | ||
| Construction Type: | New | Facility Type: | Long-term Care/Rehabilitation Hospital, Senior (Assisted, Memory Care), Medical Office |
| Sector: | Private | Clinical Specialties: | Geriatrics/Senior Care, Emergency Care, Primary Care, Critical Care, Imaging/Radiology, Clinical Labs, Surgical |
| Estimated Value: | $1000 million | Beds/Units: | 100+ |
| System: | N/A | Operating Rooms: | Unknown |
| Location: | Orlando, FL 32801. 1000 N Orange Ave |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of three towers: a 300-foot tall critical care tower, a 444-foot tall non-critical care tower and a third building at around 440 feet. Forty percent of the development will be earmarked for residential use, and 378,783 square feet is to be dedicated to medical offices, 94,224 square feet of research and development space and 20,225 square feet of commercial space. The remainder will be used for surgical and emergency facilities. There will be 955 apartments offering assisted living, memory care, stroke and hospice services. |
| Stage: | Planning (Active) |
Mixed-Use Development
| Project Title: | 10999 Narcoosee Road Mixed-Use Development | ||
| Construction Type: | New | # of Units: | N/A |
| Project Type: | For Rent | Building Type: | N/A |
| Estimated Value: | > $100 million | # of Buildings: | N/A |
| Sector: | Private | Product Type: | Senior (Assisted, Nursing) |
| Location: | Orlando, FL 32832. 10999 Narcoossee Rd |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of a mixed-use development on Lake Nona including a hospital, medical office, hotel, a 75-bed assisted-living facility, a 24,000-square-foot daycare, skilled nursing facility and a church/school, 100,000-square-foot office/retreat space, 100,000-square-foot retail/commercial and health park that will include a medical supply area, pharmacy, a health food store and a restaurant, a parking structure and space for recreation. Plans will include buildings to range from one to 10-stories. |
| Stage: | Planning (Active) |
Mixed-Use Development
| Project Title: | Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center | ||
| Construction Type: | New | Facility Type: | Medical Office |
| Sector: | Private | Clinical Specialties: | Primary Care |
| Estimated Value: | $13.5 million | Beds/Units: | N/A |
| System: | AdventHealth, Orlando Health | Operating Rooms: | N/A |
| Location: | Orlando, FL 32805. 710 S Tampa Ave |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of a two-floor, 30,000-square-foot wellness center. The first floor will include co-working space, a financial wellbeing center, a fitness studio, community cafe, gathering spaces and outdoor green spaces while the second floor will house an 8,000-square-foot comprehensive health care center and additional office space. |
| Stage: | Groundbreaking |
| Construction Start: | Q3/2021 |
| Construction End: | Q3/2022 |
Hotel
| Project Title: | Evermore Orlando Resort | ||
| Construction Type: | New | Chain: | Independent – Resort |
| Estimated Value: | $25-$100 million | Franchise: | Independent |
| Rooms: | 186 | Scale: | |
| Location: | Orlando, FL 32836. 1 N Jacaranda St |
| Ancillary Facilities: | Food Service, Retail, Pool, Gym |
| Details: | Plans call for the first phase of construction for the new Evermore Orlando Resort, which will include 69 vacation rental homes, 76 four-bedroom vacation rental units, 41 two- and four-bedroom vacation rental villas as well as a Conrad Hilton-branded hotel. The property will feature multiple restaurants, 150,000 square feet of meeting space, water features, and additional recreational amenities. The resort will include a 20-acre tropical beach complex with an eight-acre Evermore Bay, a zero-entry swim area, a food hall and market, two wedding venues, and an 18-hole golf course. |
| State: | Construction |
| Construction Start: | 4/2021 |
| Construction End: | 6/2023 |
Residential Subdivision
| Project Title: | Laurel Pointe Lake Nona | ||
| Construction Type: | New | # of Units: | 124 |
| Project Type: | For Sale | Acreage: | N/A |
| Estimated Value: | $25-$100 million | Price: | N/A |
| Sector: | Private | Development Type: | Market Rate |
| Location: | Orlando, FL 32832. NWC Luminary Blvd and Narcoossee Rd |
| Details: | Plans call for the construction of a gated community with 124 one and two- story single family homes. |
| Stage: | Starts in 4-12 months |
| Construction Start: | Q4/2021 |
| Construction End: | Q1/2023 |
One thing is for certain: Florida is no longer just a place your grandparents move to retire. Recent economic trends, catalyzed by the drastic change in work habits as a result of COVID-19, have opened the state up to young professionals, recent college grads, and families.
Request a demo today to learn more about BCI’s products, and start tracking everything from hotel to medical to apartment developments across the state.
