Vision

The Packing District is rooted in history, grounded in opportunity and directed toward the future. It will be a new community for the city of Orlando, stitching together neighborhoods and honoring the legacy of this special place.

Led by Dr. Phillips Charities, the development of the site represents an opportunity to celebrate the history of The Packing District and look toward the future of the community, the city and the region. The district’s master plan has been designed to encourage community wellness from the development of a new regional park to the network of plazas – each connected by pedestrian and bike trails that stitch everything together.

Some highlights of the district include:

  • YMCA Family Center
  • Regional Park
  • Trails
  • Food Hall
 
Conceptual rendering of the YMCA family center from close-up
Conceptual rendering of the YMCA Family Center in The Packing District from far away
Conceptual rendering of public space in The Packing District

By the Numbers:

  • 202 acres of land in the City of Orlando

  • 97 acres of land currently industrial/commercial to be converted to mixed-use and residential

  • 105 acres of dedicated regional park, including 40-acre urban farm

  • 3,500 units of projected residential, >1 million square feet of projected retail and office space

  • Annexed into the City of Orlando in 1996 with PD

History

Humble Beginnings

One of the original citrus producers in the region, Dr. Phillips used the land that stretches along Orange Blossom Trail near College Park as the site of one of his multiple premier packing houses, creating a key place in the early economic ecosystem of Orlando. The site was the first industrial property in Central Florida and the crown jewel in the Dr. Phillips real estate holdings. Buildings on the site focused on his business and his philanthropic passion of enriching his community. Most of the buildings were constructed by his teams using special Dr. Phillips bricks and a loving hand.

Community Builders

The Packing District is a culmination of efforts stretching back almost 100 years. This place began with a man, Dr. Phillips, who sought to give citrus to the world while using his profits to give back to his community. Over the years, the business and his impact on the community grew. Then, with the passing of the family and the selling of the citrus business, the profits were entrusted to Dr. Phillips, Inc. – an organization created to carry out the charitable legacy of Dr. Phillips. Since 1953, the organization has been giving back and has gained the respect of the community to do the right thing.

“We are stewards first and foremost. Our mission is to create value that benefits our community.”

- Dr. Phillips Charities

View of the Packing District looking towards today's College Park neighborhood, circa 1938 Exterior view of the Dr. Philips orange stand Interior view of the Dr. Philips orange stand

Opportunities

The Packing District will preserve and recapture our community’s history by establishing a new place of living and commerce.

The development of The Packing District will be led by Dr. Phillips Charities, an organization experienced in master planning and implementation. The 202-acre site is a rich historic industrial and commercial landscape positioned next to the strong well-established neighborhood of College Park in Orlando. The market is projected to continue growing over the next few decades. Combined, these elements create a special moment in time to think toward the future.


For more information or to be a part of this transformational project, please fill out our Contact Us form.


Timeline

Cool Timeline

2018
Project Announced/City of Orlando Approval
Project Announced/City of Orlando Approval

The Packing District is a 202-acre transformational project centered at the intersection of Princeton Street and Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, preserving and recapturing a defining part of our community’s history while providing a vibrant base of living and commerce. Historic buildings will be repurposed, integrated with new uses, and…
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Dr. Phillips Charities Gifts $8.9M to Build New YMCA Family Center in The Packing District
Dr. Phillips Charities Gifts $8.9M to Build New YMCA Family Center in The Packing District

Located at the planned roundabout at Princeton Street and Texas Avenue on the north end of Orlando’s newest regional park, the YMCA Family Center will have 24,500 square feet of space spanning two stories and play host to key programs for the community while also integrating with The Packing District’s…
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2019
Park Construction Begins
Park Construction Begins

Dr. Phillips Charities announced its gift of more than 100 acres of land adjacent to the District to the City of Orlando to make way for a regional park that would serve as a hub for wellness programs and provide a site for amenities, including the city’s tennis center, bike…
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Embrey First to Break Ground in The Packing District
Embrey First to Break Ground in The Packing District

Embrey Partners Ltd., a nationally recognized multifamily residential developer, held its ceremonial groundbreaking in November 2019 for work on its newest project within The Packing District, a transformational mixed-use development taking shape near College Park in Orlando. Called The Cannery at The Packing District, the project is the first to break…
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2020
Dr. Phillips Gifts $1.5M Pavilion to City of Orlando for The Packing District Park
The Packing District Park Pavilion

Dr. Phillips Charities, the community builder behind the $700-million transformational The Packing District taking shape near College Park in Orlando, gifted $1.5 million to the City of Orlando to cover construction costs of a pavilion for arts and community engagement in the regional park. The 6,000-sq. ft. pavilion will be a venue…
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4Roots Farm Campus Signs Lease with City of Orlando for 18 Acres Within The Packing District
Conceptual Rendering of 4Roots Farm Campus

The City of Orlando approved a lease for an 18-acre 4Roots Farm Campus, a project of The 4R Foundation. The farm campus will bring complementary improvements that protect the wetlands and steward the land in natural and useful ways that benefit the surrounding community.

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