Orlando World Trade Towers: Coming Soon - Page 2

SkyDiveJunkee · June 16th, 2012, 10:28 PM

^You've switched perspective. Was it not a day ago that you stated this would never happen? Indeed there is an Orlando optimist in you!

ThatFloridaDude · June 17th, 2012, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

^You've switched perspective. Was it not a day ago that you stated this would never happen? Indeed there is an Orlando optimist in you!

I wouldn't say that. I still doubt it will happen, but don't get me wrong I'm super excited for this! I just think there should be more details released before we can take it serious. But instead of being a Debbie Downer I just say ah what the hey, why not!! I like being optimistic. Before I get all of my hopes up like I did last decade, I just want to really hear more about it!

ThatFloridaDude · June 17th, 2012, 12:22 PM

So I dug up the rest of the report from Orlando Business Journal.
It goes on to state:

Sutton said his firm has the site under contract for an undisclosed amount and expects to buy it from the Diocese of Orlando this summer (2012) and begin construction this fall (2012). The property is valued at about $3.6 Million. Representatives from the Diocese of Orlando couldn't be reached for comment.

Sutton will submit the plan to the city within the next month or two for approvals.

That will put the project together in time to capture anticipated growth in international business with the opening of the expanded Panama Canal. "We have a large number of our tenants identified," Sutton said. "The international market is very strong and will grow robustly. The need is there."

He declined to name the tenants or reveal the project cost, but real estate sources estimated it at $50 million - $100 million. Sutton's firm has yet to select a general contractor.

Daryl LeBlanc, associate principal with Orlando-based architect firm VOA Associates Inc., said his firm has worked on several versions of World Trade Center Orlando, and this installment seems to have more legs than it's predecessors. "the last few years, the market just wasn't right for a project like this, but things are changing."

In fact, market conditions are improving somewhat in downtown Orlando, which had a 16.7 percent first-quarter 2012 office vacancy rate, better than the overall market's 20 percent vacancy rate, said commercial real estate brokerage Jones Lang LaSalle. The sub market also had a net absorption of 104,234 square feet, meaning that much vacated space was backfilled during the quarter.

Meanwhile, the retail sub market that includes downtown Orlando has a 5.7 percent vacancy rate in the first-quarter 2012, along with a net absorption of 59,921 square feet, said CBRE Inc.

Formal plans for World Trade Center Orlando have yet to be submitted to the city, but at a city council workshop earlier this month, Orlando City Commissioner Daisy Lynum said the project had reared its head yet again.

She also said the project should be further advertised to construction firms, in part because of its proximity to one of downtown's planned SunRail commuter rail stations. (Lynx Central Station). The $1.3 Billion, 61-mile SunRail has four stations planned for downtown Orlando. Lynum was unavailable for further comment on the project.

So there really is more to it. World Trade Center in Orlando opens up doors to international inter-connectivity with this city and other cities. That is tremendous for Orlando. I truly hope this comes to fruition. That is a huge step for Orlando, I'm actually impressed.

I also after further doing some research predict a new tallest here.

The article mentions 30 stories, but I'm just going to guess it will be higher and FAA will give this project a brake. Either that or it will be 30 stories with a minor building adjacent. Thats just my guess until further details are mentioned.

I'll stay tuned for the early July City Council Workshop with more info!

Dale · June 17th, 2012, 05:30 PM

$50 to $100 million ?!?! That can't be right. If it is, it's going to look REALLY cheap.

Dale · June 17th, 2012, 06:46 PM

Hamlet on UP is pouring cold water all over this. Points out that Sutton is not even a developer.

jzquince69 · June 17th, 2012, 10:14 PM

well, in this economy, compared to 2006, that kind of money can go further I assume.

ThatFloridaDude · June 17th, 2012, 10:21 PM

Yup Red Flags now. I'm going to try and remain optimistic

jzquince69 · June 18th, 2012, 08:00 PM

check out this link to their Board of Directors:

http://worldtradecenterorlando.wordp...-of-directors/

Dale · June 18th, 2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzquince69

check out this link to their Board of Directors:

http://worldtradecenterorlando.wordp...-of-directors/

Don't know how much weight that actually carries but those are some heavy-hitters. Next time I see Jennifer Thompson I'll ask her about it.

spenser1058 · June 18th, 2012, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

Don't know how much weight that actually carries but those are some heavy-hitters. Next time I see Jennifer Thompson I'll ask her about it.

Did you happen to check out the grammar in the bio list for the "Board?" It's atrocious. Also, I pulled up several of the folks mentioned and, of the seven I pulled up, none mentioned in their list of activities that they are on the "Board" of this organization. Why is that?

Another fascinating thing is that another Google search of this organization which listed fairly recent events (to make sure it wasn't outdated), had a "Board" listing and the names did not all match up. One of the ones on my list that wasn't on yours is Robert Stuart, College park's City Commissioner. I called Robert's office at City Hall and he wasn't there but his aide wasn't aware of him being on this "Board" in the past or the future. I also left a message over at the CSC (Robert's full-time job) and am waiting for a response.

Another oddity, the address I kept seeing for this august institution while researching over the weekend was on Bumby (the address still shown on their Facebook page). However, the address seems to now be changing on the website to a location at Amelia and Ferncreek. Ahhhh, stability!

Also, did you notice the President and Vice President seem to be married or related (both have last name Sutton)? Hardly a ringing endorsement for professionalism and ethics in management. In any event, this is of course all circumstantial so we'll wait for updates but in the "ringing endorsement" of this project's likelihood in the OBJ blog, where is the reporter's inquiry into these sorts of things? At this point, I stand by my skepticism.

Dale · June 18th, 2012, 10:14 PM

Is this Hamlet ?

spenser1058 · June 18th, 2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

Is this Hamlet ?

"Hamlet" is one of the terms UP uses based on how many posts you have. I am the one who stood athwart current events and yelled "STOP!", at least in regard to this seeming figment of a small-time non-profit's fevered imagination (apologies to Wm. F. Buckley, Jr.)

Another thing I have noticed as I'm checking this out: from what I can determine, the only MSM to pick up on this was one reporter from OBJ (I may be in error because online searches do miss things). I did, however, try to scrub carefully and wonder why that's the only initial source on this before the bloggers started picking it up? I also looked for direct hits on the Sentinel, News13, wesh.com and wftv.com and got nothing.

I also called over to City Hall and asked the usual sources and got nothing but a few chuckles. Color me even more skeptical than before.

Dale · June 19th, 2012, 12:41 AM

Okay then. Thanks for doing the legwork. That was more effective than a cold shower.

I suppose Sutton could surprise us.

SkyDiveJunkee · June 19th, 2012, 01:01 AM

When I emailed Byron today inquiring for information/renderings, I got this response: "Which firm are you from?"

spenser1058 · June 19th, 2012, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

When I emailed Byron today inquiring for information/renderings, I got this response: "Which firm are you from?"

So odd, isn't it?

ThatFloridaDude · June 19th, 2012, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

When I emailed Byron today inquiring for information/renderings, I got this response: "Which firm are you from?"

Too young to understand what that means. Can someone break it down. I have a haunch but thats it.

Dale · June 19th, 2012, 04:44 AM

Dude, does he have tenants lined up or has he merely identified tenants he wants to go after ? There is a huge difference between the two.

ThatFloridaDude · June 19th, 2012, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

Dude, does he have tenants lined up or has he merely identified tenants he wants to go after ? There is a huge difference between the two.

Interesting. Welp. I guess I got my hopes up for nothing.

June 17th, 2012, 12:22 PM	#23
ThatFloridaDude Mr. Justice Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 247 Likes (Received): 0	So I dug up the rest of the report from Orlando Business Journal. It goes on to state: Sutton said his firm has the site under contract for an undisclosed amount and expects to buy it from the Diocese of Orlando this summer (2012) and begin construction this fall (2012). The property is valued at about $3.6 Million. Representatives from the Diocese of Orlando couldn't be reached for comment. Sutton will submit the plan to the city within the next month or two for approvals. That will put the project together in time to capture anticipated growth in international business with the opening of the expanded Panama Canal. "We have a large number of our tenants identified," Sutton said. "The international market is very strong and will grow robustly. The need is there." He declined to name the tenants or reveal the project cost, but real estate sources estimated it at $50 million - $100 million. Sutton's firm has yet to select a general contractor. Daryl LeBlanc, associate principal with Orlando-based architect firm VOA Associates Inc., said his firm has worked on several versions of World Trade Center Orlando, and this installment seems to have more legs than it's predecessors. "the last few years, the market just wasn't right for a project like this, but things are changing." In fact, market conditions are improving somewhat in downtown Orlando, which had a 16.7 percent first-quarter 2012 office vacancy rate, better than the overall market's 20 percent vacancy rate, said commercial real estate brokerage Jones Lang LaSalle. The sub market also had a net absorption of 104,234 square feet, meaning that much vacated space was backfilled during the quarter. Meanwhile, the retail sub market that includes downtown Orlando has a 5.7 percent vacancy rate in the first-quarter 2012, along with a net absorption of 59,921 square feet, said CBRE Inc. Formal plans for World Trade Center Orlando have yet to be submitted to the city, but at a city council workshop earlier this month, Orlando City Commissioner Daisy Lynum said the project had reared its head yet again. She also said the project should be further advertised to construction firms, in part because of its proximity to one of downtown's planned SunRail commuter rail stations. (Lynx Central Station). The $1.3 Billion, 61-mile SunRail has four stations planned for downtown Orlando. Lynum was unavailable for further comment on the project. So there really is more to it. World Trade Center in Orlando opens up doors to international inter-connectivity with this city and other cities. That is tremendous for Orlando. I truly hope this comes to fruition. That is a huge step for Orlando, I'm actually impressed. I also after further doing some research predict a new tallest here. The article mentions 30 stories, but I'm just going to guess it will be higher and FAA will give this project a brake. Either that or it will be 30 stories with a minor building adjacent. Thats just my guess until further details are mentioned. I'll stay tuned for the early July City Council Workshop with more info! __________________ :) IAmFloridaBorn :)

June 17th, 2012, 10:21 PM	#27
ThatFloridaDude Mr. Justice Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 247 Likes (Received): 0	Yup Red Flags now. I'm going to try and remain optimistic __________________ :) IAmFloridaBorn :)

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June 16th, 2012, 10:28 PM	#21
SkyDiveJunkee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,493 Likes (Received): 10	^You've switched perspective. Was it not a day ago that you stated this would never happen? Indeed there is an Orlando optimist in you!

June 17th, 2012, 05:30 PM	#24
Dale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 7,731 Likes (Received): 25	$50 to $100 million ?!?! That can't be right. If it is, it's going to look REALLY cheap.

June 17th, 2012, 06:46 PM	#25
Dale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 7,731 Likes (Received): 25	Hamlet on UP is pouring cold water all over this. Points out that Sutton is not even a developer.

June 17th, 2012, 10:14 PM	#26
jzquince69 jimmy Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: orlando Posts: 2,484 Likes (Received): 8	well, in this economy, compared to 2006, that kind of money can go further I assume.

June 18th, 2012, 08:00 PM	#28
jzquince69 jimmy Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: orlando Posts: 2,484 Likes (Received): 8	check out this link to their Board of Directors: http://worldtradecenterorlando.wordp...-of-directors/

June 18th, 2012, 10:14 PM	#31
Dale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 7,731 Likes (Received): 25	Is this Hamlet ?

June 19th, 2012, 12:41 AM	#33
Dale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 7,731 Likes (Received): 25	Okay then. Thanks for doing the legwork. That was more effective than a cold shower. I suppose Sutton could surprise us.

June 19th, 2012, 01:01 AM	#34
SkyDiveJunkee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,493 Likes (Received): 10	When I emailed Byron today inquiring for information/renderings, I got this response: "Which firm are you from?"

June 19th, 2012, 04:44 AM	#37
Dale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 7,731 Likes (Received): 25	Dude, does he have tenants lined up or has he merely identified tenants he wants to go after ? There is a huge difference between the two.