Brightline Reveals New Renderings Giving First Look Inside Its Future Orlando Station

Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America, is pulling back the curtain on Central Florida’s latest attraction, Brightline’s Orlando Station. Brightline has released a video and renderings of the future station, located at Orlando International Airport, that will connect millions and regionalize the state. The station spans three-stories, featuring groundbreaking design and a unique synthesis of luxury amenities that meet the demand of today’s modern traveler. Opening this year, Brightline’s Orlando Station will revolutionize train travel in America and continue Brightline’s vision of offering a guest-first travel experience.

The guest journey begins at the main entrance, located off the airport’s expansive two-story glass atrium. Once inside the station, passengers can purchase tickets from guest services or one of several self-service kiosks, and check luggage before proceeding through touchless turnstiles into the security screening area. Brightline is currently the only rail system in America that screens all passengers and bags prior to boarding.

“This world class train station continues our mission of transforming train travel in America,” said Patrick Goddard, president at Brightline. “We have carefully thought through each detail of this station to ensure that it exceeds the expectations of the modern traveler.”

The station takes the luxury amenities Brightline is known for to new heights featuring an upscale retail experience with convenient in-station shopping and its Mary Mary Bar, serving hand-crafted cocktails and lite bites. The signature sit-down bar is positioned at the far end of the station with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the train platform where guests can leisurely watch as trains arrive and depart the platform.

Located above the Mary Mary bar is an iconic, flip-flap message board that can rotate alphanumeric text and/or graphics to form a message. A nostalgic nod to historic train stations, the flip-flap will provide updated train schedules, boarding times, news of the day and other announcements complete with the flip-flap sound reminiscent of the first passenger train stations in America.

Passengers will access trains by escalator or elevators to the first level platform and board from one of two new track platforms. These platforms are 1,000 feet long and will accommodate a train with four coaches and two locomotives that will transport guests on the Orlando to Miami route in just over three hours.

Brightline offers two classes of service, SMART and PREMIUM. Brightline’s PREMIUM service, will provide complimentary drinks and snacks in a dedicated lounge and train coach. Throughout the station, all guests will have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations at every seat, 87 big screen televisions and a children’s play area located in the SMART lounge.

The 37,350 square foot station is located in the heart of Orlando International Airport’s new 80,000 sq. ft. Terminal C and connects directly to the airport’s parking deck C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces reserved for Brightline guests. An automated people mover connects the terminal to the rest of the airport facilities including Terminal A and B in under five minutes.

Brightline’s Orlando station is designed by Bigtime Design Studios, an architecture firm based out of Miami, Florida, that also designed the newly opened Brightline stations in Boca Raton and Aventura, alongside the architect of record Sonny Fornoles of Borrelli + Partner. The buildout of the station is led by Orlando-based contractor Gomez Construction Co., a minority owned business whose headquarters are based in Orlando, Florida, and employs more than 100 workers on this project.

The Allen Morris Company And Xenel International U.S.A. Launch The Residences At Xentury City In Osceola County

The Allen Morris Company, one of the largest diversified real estate firms in the Southeast, and Xenel International U.S.A., a diversified company and long-term landowner, have launched Residences at Xentury City, a $75 million multifamily development located in Osceola County. The project will transform the current site into a thriving multifamily destination. Groundbreaking for the project is scheduled for Q1 2022 and is slated for completion in Q2 2023.

The 293,000 square feet of space will contain five garden-style buildings, 311 residential units, a leasing center and world-class amenities throughout. The project site is located adjacent to the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center.

Dwell Design Studio, an award-winning architecture, planning and interior design firm, and Shim Studios as interior designer will spearhead the project.

“The Osceola corridor has seen some of the largest net in migration in the nation generating demand for quality housing,” said Spencer Morris, Chief Investment Officer of the Allen Morris Company. “The Residences at Xentury City are the first phase of a larger mixed-use vision that will transform this area within Osceola County into a dynamic live, work, play neighborhood with first-class dining, entertainment and residential offerings.

Xenel International U.S.A. and its affiliates own Xentury City which sits on 380 acres of land in Orlando, FL. Tenants of Xentury City include the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center which includes over 1,700 rooms and suites as well as 500,000 sq ft of convention and meeting space.

Xentury City is close to all the theme parks including Disney World and Universal Studios and has developed a major transportation network to access the site. The site is also 30 minutes from Downtown Orlando and 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

The Allen Morris Company is one of the largest real estate firms in the Southeast U.S., completing their 85th development project and specializing in office buildings, multi-family residential, hotels, mixed-use developments, leasing and brokerage, and property management. The Allen Morris Company was founded in 1958 and has offices in Miami, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Atlanta.

Xenel International U.S.A. is a holding company headquartered in Westlake Village, California. It was founded in 1979 and developed and led numerous business ventures. The team has taken companies through all phases of development from conception to maturity in a variety of industries.

Brightline And Disney Announce Plans To Build A Train Station In Walt Disney World Connecting To Orlando International Airport And Miami

Brightline has recently announced a plan to build a new train station at Walt Disney World in Orlando, connecting directly to Orlando International Airport and Miami. Brightline, who currently operates trains between Miami and West Palm Beach, has been seeking expansion to Orlando since launching in 2018. The next stop will be Orlando International Airport, expected to be completed by 2022, with future plans to extend to Walt Disney World. The new Disney station will open in the Disney Springs complex, a popular spot for dining and entertainment such as live music and shows. 

Millions of people visit Disney World every year. Brightline’s new train will make easy access for Disney tourists flying into Orlando International Airport, and also will allow visitors from Miami to travel directly to Disney World without a car for the first time. The train service from Miami to Orlando International Airport is on schedule to begin in 2022, but there is no set timeline for the Disney World station yet. Brightline is also currently working on engineering a future expansion to Tampa. The Brightline was developed by Florida East Coast Industries.

Aztec Group Arranges $12 Million In Financing For Publix-Anchored Kirkman Oaks Shopping Center

Aztec Group, Inc. has secured $12 million in non-recourse financing for Kirkman Oaks Shopping Center in Orlando, Florida, overseen by Brell Tarich and Charles Penan. Kirkman Oaks is an 98,000-square-foot neighborhood retail center anchored by Publix Supermarket and Davita Dialysis. The property is 98% occupied and ideally located just north of Universal Studios at 4606 S Kirkman Road, Orlando, FL.

“Grocery-anchored retail centers, especially those boasting Publix as their anchor, are highly coveted by lenders looking to put out capital in the current Covid-19 environment,” said Brell Tarich, Director of Aztec Group. “The borrower’s stellar track record coupled with the well-performing property allowed us to secure long-term financing at very attractive terms that exceeded the borrower’s expectations.”

The financing was provided by a Georgia Based regional bank. Financial terms of the non-recourse mortgage include a 7-year term, sub-3.5% fixed interest rate and a 30-year amortization schedule. The borrower is led by Daniel Halberstein, a seasoned retail and office investor based in Aventura, Florida.

“Kirkman Oaks benefits from its exceptional infill location at the main intersection of one of Orlando’s premier submarkets,” added Charles Penan, Executive Vice President of Aztec Group. “The terms of this financing speak to the strength of both the ownership and the asset itself.”

American Landmark Acquires 624-Unit Multifamily Portfolio From RADCO For $100.5 Million

American Landmark has acquired the recently renovated Radius Winter Park and Ashford at Feather Sound communities in Casselberry and Clearwater, FL from the Atlanta-based RADCO Companies. The 624-unit portfolio traded for $100.5 million and the transaction was overseen by CBRE. Radius Winter Park features 336 apartment units and sold for $51.5 million and Ashford at Feather Sound features 276 apartment units and sold for $49 million. The properties will be renamed Onyx Winter Park and Fairways at Feather Sound.

Radius Winter Park is located in Casselberry, FL, just 10 miles north of Orlando. The lakeside community was developed in 1983 and features a suite of amenities including a pool, BBQ and picnic area, playground, dog park, pet spa, indoor fitness center and internet café. Units range from studio to two-bedroom floor plans.

Ashford at Feather Sound was developed in 1985 and is located near I-275 just across the bay from Tampa in Clearwater, FL. The lushly landscaped property features two lakes, a heated pool, hot tub, sundeck, a grilling and picnic station, fitness center, tennis courts, scenic walking paths and an equipped pet park. Units are available in one- and two-bedroom layouts.

Virgin Trains Announces Aventura, PortMiami & Boca Raton Stations Will Open In October 2020

Virgin Trains has announced that both the Aventura, PortMiami and Boca Raton stations are expected to come online in October 2020. Formerly known as Brightline, the train line is now in negotiations with Orlando entertainment parks and venues for a 2nd Orlando station while the Orlando International Airport station remains on schedule. Aventura will get a $77 million train station with on-site parking and a pedestrian bridge to Aventura Mall, which is the 2nd most visited mall in the United States with over 28 million visitors annually. Construction is expected to start late December 2019 to early 2020. The Boca raton station expects to break ground before the end of 2019 as well. Other stations in the works include PortMiami which is expected to open in late 2020 with construction set to begin in Q1 2020. The PortMiami, Aventura and Boca Raton stations are expected to bring an additional 2 million riders to the train system with Virgin Trains now looking at a railway expansion west of the Orlando International Airport. Virgin continues its expansion into South Florida with Virgin Voyages, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Trains.

Brightline Locks Down Final Approvals For Phase 2, To Begin Construction To Orlando In 2018

Brightline can finally begin construction on Phase 2, their new line of tracks to Orlando after gaining federal approval from the U.S. DOT for the transit line. Construction on Phase 2 is expected to kick off in early 2018. Service is expected to soon commence between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, adding service to Miami soon after. On December 15, 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Record of Decision for the privately funded Brightline intercity passenger rail project between Miami and Orlando. The Record of Decision (ROD) represents the final step in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process after the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was issued in 2015 and is the last federal environmental approval needed to construct the system between West Palm Beach and Orlando. This decision marks the achievement of another significant milestones for the company as it gears up to launch Phase 1 of its service and start construction north of West Palm Beach. Over the past 4 years, The Federal Railroad Administration worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard, along with local authorities, cities and counties, on the project's development and issuance of the FEIS. Brightline’s station in Orlando will be located at the Orlando International Airport’s new Intermodal Terminal Facility (ITF) that will be the hub of the future South Terminal complex. The ITF is connected to the North Terminal by a recently completed Automated People Mover and includes a 5,000-space parking garage. SunRail, Central Florida’s commuter rail system, has a planned connection to the ITF. Over the next few months, Brightline will finalize the design for the rail infrastructure and the 70-acre Vehicle Maintenance Facility which will be located on Orlando International Airport property. Construction of the system will create thousands of jobs and provide a much-needed link between Florida’s two most visited and populated regions.

“This is the most critical and final step in the extension of Brightline’s service to Orlando, and we are excited to move forward with Phase 2,” said Dave Howard, Brightline’s CEO. “This was a great year for us as we completed construction on two of our major stations and rail infrastructure, successfully presold tickets and corporate packages to individuals and businesses throughout the region and priced $600 million in Private Activity Bonds to fund Phase 1. We look forward to launching service to Miami and starting construction north to Orlando in the first quarter of 2018.”

Hyperloop One Announces Hyperloop Florida Connecting Miami to Orlando in 26 Minutes

Miami to Orlando could become one of the first opporating Hyperloop routes in the country, connecting the two cultural hubs in a mere 26 minutes. The current travel time between the two cities is 3 1/2 hours by car or 1 hour by plane. The route was proposed as a finalist by Hyperloop One, the company developing the world's first Hyperloop, who has been working closely with the Florida Department of Transportation. From the final routes, the company will select two or three to build first. The Miami to Orlando loop would open up transportation not only for tourists, but also for cargo from Port of Miami. It would also allow for further expansion to Atlanta and Chicago. In Hyperloop One, passengers and cargo are loaded into a pod which is accelerated with electric propulsion in low-pressure tubes. The first routes considered are among the most high-traffic routes in the country for both trade and tourism.

“Hyperloop One is the only company in the world building an operational commercial Hyperloop system. This disruptive technology – conceived, developed and built in the U.S. – will move passengers and cargo faster, cleaner and more efficiently. It will transform transportation as we know it and create a more connected world,” said Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hyperloop One.