The 24,000-acre Sunbridge development, one of the largest developments of its type in Central Florida, continues to make measurable progress on Phase 1 of its plan by securing critical construction permits.
Tavistock Development Company recently filed construction permits to extend Cyrils Drive. This road extension is an important part of the project’s Phase 1 plans to build a marina district at its massive Sunbridge development.
According to GrowthSpotter, a subscription-only source for news about local real estate growth and development, the road construction project includes the creation of a bridge over the canal system, along with the extension of Cyrils Drive past Absher Road. Widening the road to four lanes will increase access to the Sunbridge property.
Phase 1
Sunbridge’s marina basin is the centerpiece of its Phase 1 development. The project, which includes a proposed 47-acre lake, has been deemed the “Big Dig” by Jim Zboril, managing director for Tavistock Group. “We’re very close to the start of excavation,” he said.
But digging, as Lake Nona residents know, has been going on at Sunbridge for a few years now. With Phase 1 residential construction expected to be around 4,600 units, home sales – and home construction – are well underway.
The first of six Phase 1 neighborhoods, Del Webb at Sunbridge, opened last year. Homes in this 55+ resort-style gated community are selling on pace, with 24 units sold in March, according to Zboril. “We’re super excited about what’s happening out there,” he said. Of the development’s anticipated 1,200 units, Del Webb at Sunbridge has sold more than 230 so far.
Construction for another Phase 1 neighborhood is expected to begin by the end of the year. The second Sunbridge subdivision, Weslyn Park, will have 575 units with mixed lot sizes and a variety of architectural styles. The sales center for Weslyn Park is anticipated to open this October, and these properties will be developed by Tavistock.
Phase 2
In addition to the construction permits needed to continue on Phase 1 of the Sunbridge project, Tavistock Group also filed a Concept Plan for Phase 2. Sunbridge Phase 2 will cover more than 11,000 acres in northeast Osceola County.
Although Phase 2 construction isn’t expected to begin until at least 2024, the permitting process needs to begin now due to the large scale of the project, according to Zboril.
Phase 2 plans are four times the size of Phase 1. In addition to 16,540 residential units, Phase 2 planning includes 1,350 hotel rooms and 3.2 million square feet of offices. An additional 1.2 million square feet is earmarked for a major retail hub along Jack Brack Road.
In order to support the size of Phase 2 plans, Zboril expects to take a three-pronged approach to address infrastructure, housing, and employment. Some of the proposed changes include extending Sunbridge Parkway to Nova Road and tripling the capacity of the water treatment plant.
To further support anticipated demand, Sunbridge modified its previous plan. The Phase 2 Concept Plan now includes a 3,200-unit neighborhood development on the east shore of Lake Preston. “We’re trying to surround the employment area with density, so it’s building to the center instead of going from one side to the other,” Zboril explained.
Sunbridge anticipates total employment to increase by one-third to 21,000 jobs. “At the end of the day, Osceola County is interested in the Northeast District being a place for job growth, and so are we,” Zboril said.
Construction of the mixed-use community is expected to continue through 2055.
Photos Courtesy of Tavistock
