It’s safe to say that nothing is sacred in Orlando. Since the invasion of the Mouse, the only thing constant in the City Beautiful is cranes and bulldozers. Whether you go back 10 years or 6 months, parts of this city are almost completely unrecognizable, as seen in areas like Mills 50, I-Drive and downtown.
With change comes the good and the bad. We now more than ever have a diverse and renown food scene, a revitalized downtown with world-class music venues, sports arenas, and clubs, and quirky neighborhoods each with their own unique main streets and shops. But Orlando’s enthusiastic approach to growth and change hasn’t come without a cost. Our city is currently struggling with things like stagnant low wages, a severe lack of affordable housing and areas that are becoming increasingly gentrified and segregated.
It’s impossible to know exactly what Orlando will look in the near future, but for now we can at least look back and see how far we’ve come.
All photos via Google Maps
Then-April 2011
Corrine Drive Baptist Church
3201 Corrine DrNow-June 2018
East End Market
3201 Corrine DrThen-April 2011
University Shoppes
4100 N Alafaya TrailNow-June 2018
Plaza on University
4100 N Alafaya TrailThen-November 2007
Vacant building
1042 N Mills AveNow-March 2016
Will’s Pub
1042 N Mills AveThen-April 2011
Best Western, Red Fox
110 Orlando Ave, Winter ParkNow-May 2018
Kona Grill, Bula, Tipsy Salon Bar
110 Orlando Ave, Winter ParkThen-April 2011
Steak and Salad Turkish Cuisine
1326 N Mills AveNow-May 2018
Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa
1326 N Mills AveThen-April 2011
Vacant buildings
1010 Virginia DrNow-June 2018
Orlando Urban Trail, Ten10 Brewing, Grape and Vine
1010 Virginia DrThen-June 2011
Vacant lot
Corner of Mills and NebraskaNow-June 2018
Mills Park
Corner of Mills and NebraskaThen-May 2013
Brian’s Restaurant and Nora’s Sugar Shack
1409 N Orange AveNow-June 2018
Stir Restaurant
1409 N Orange AveThen-October 2008
Vacant lot
Corner of Orange and AmeliaNow-October 2017
Central Station on Orange
Corner of Orange and AmeliaThen-April 2011
Orlando Surgery Center
12000 N Orange AveNow-June 2018
Major Investments and M Lounge
12000 N Orange AveThen-March 2011
Tony’s Deli
1323 N Mills AveNow-May 2018
Black Rooster, The Guesthouse
1323 N Mills AveThen-November 2007
Chinatown
1103 N Mills AveNow-March 2016
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
1103 N Mills AveThen-November 2007
Luxury Imports
842 N Mills AveNow-July 2015
Floyd’s a Barber Shop
842 N Mills AveThen-June 2011
Vega’s Cafe
1835 E Colonial DrNow-August 2018
Black Bean Deli
1835 E Colonial DrThen-October 2007
O’ Boys Bar-B-Q
565 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter ParkNow-June 2018
Ravenous Pig
565 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter ParkThen-April 2011
Vacant lot
941 Orlando Ave, Winter ParkNow-June 2018
Ravaudage Winter Park, Miller’s Ale House
941 Orlando Ave, Winter ParkThen-November 2007
River of Life Church
8323 W Sand Lake Rd, Dr. PhillipsNow-August 2018
Trader Joe’s, Slate
8323 W Sand Lake Rd, Dr. PhillipsThen-October 2007
State Auto Body
1288 N Orange Ave, Winter ParkNow-August 2018
Bear & Peacock Brewery, Foxtail Coffee
1288 N Orange Ave, Winter ParkThen-November 2007
Tom & Jery’s Bar & Lounge
1117 Orlando Ave, Winter ParkNow-June 2018
Broadstone Winter Park
1117 Orlando Ave, Winter ParkThen-November 2008
Vacant lot
655 W Church StNow-October 2018
Orlando City Stadium
655 W Church StThen-March 2008
Commercial plaza
131 North Orlando Avenue, Winter ParkNow-March 2018
Trader Joe’s, Shake Shack, Paddleboard Orlando
131 North Orlando Avenue, Winter ParkThen-October 2008
TGI Fridays
8126 International DrNow-August 2018
Mango’s Tropical Cafe
8126 International DrThen-November 2007
The Mercado Plaza
8401 International DrNow-March 2017
ICON Orlando
8401 International DrThen-July 2008
Vacant lot
320 Rosalind AveNow-February 2017
Parking garage
320 Rosalind AveThen-April 2011
Parking lot
335 N Magnolia AveNow-March 2014
SkyHouse Orlando Apartments
335 N Magnolia AveThen-October 2007
Orlando Weekly offices
100 W Livingston StNow-October 2018
Ace Cafe
100 W Livingston StThen-October 2007
Medina’s Grocery
101 N Bumby AveNow-March 2016
Saigon Noodle and Grill
101 N Bumby AveThen-June 2011
Ralph Kazarian Insurance
1200 E Colonial DrNow-October 2018
iFixYouri
1200 E Colonial DrThen-July 2008
Vacant lot
445 S Magnolia AveNow-February 2017
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 S Magnolia Ave