On Wednesday, March 31, 2021 Wendover Housing Partners, one of the Southeast’s premier multi-family housing developers, held a groundbreaking event for Hawthorne Park, a new senior affordable community in Pine Hills neighborhood. Located at 5386 Silver Star Rd. (the intersection of Pine Hills Rd. & Silver Star Rd.), the $27 million residential development will serve as a catalyst for additional neighborhood improvements and address Orlando’s need for more affordable housing. The 120-unit development will replace a portion of an underutilized shopping center located behind the Hardee's restaurant and become the new anchor for revitalization in Pine Hills.
Hawthorne Park is an example of successfully utilizing public private partnerships to address the need for more affordable housing. Hawthorne Park will cost an estimated $27.6 million to develop; financing includes a $250,000 grant from Orange County, a $317,500 loan from Orange County, as well as $2.3 million in low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) from Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Slocum Platts Architects is designing the complex and Roger B. Kennedy Inc. is the general contractor. Construction on the project is expected to take 11 months. Designed for senior residents 55 and older, Hawthorne Park will offer a mix of one-bedroom, one-bath, and two-bedroom, two-bath units, with rents starting at approximately $740/month for one-bedroom units, $880/month for two-bedroom units. The apartment homes will feature high-end amenities, and the community will have features that are truly meant to enrich peoples’ lives. Apartments will have open floor plans with a full-size washer/dryer, kitchen island, emergency call system, and walk-in closets.
Community amenities will include a fitness center, theater room, activities room with kitchen, computer room and library, dog walk, as well as a community garden, gazebo with seating and outdoor grilling area. Headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Wendover Housing Partners, LLC is a privately held real estate development, investment, and management company. Wendover specializes in the development of single and multi-family homes, apartment communities, senior communities, and transit-oriented development.