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 Dr
Now-June 2018 East End Market 3201 Corrine Dr
Then-April 2011 University Shoppes 4100 N Alafaya Trail
Now-June 2018 Plaza on University 4100 N Alafaya Trail
Then-November 2007 Vacant building 1042 N Mills Ave
Now-March 2016 Will’s Pub 1042 N Mills Ave
Then-April 2011 Best Western, Red Fox 110 Orlando Ave, Winter Park
Now-May 2018 Kona Grill, Bula, Tipsy Salon Bar 110 Orlando Ave, Winter Park
Then-April 2011 Steak and Salad Turkish Cuisine 1326 N Mills Ave
Now-May 2018 Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa 1326 N Mills Ave
Then-April 2011 Vacant buildings 1010 Virginia Dr
Now-June 2018 Orlando Urban Trail, Ten10 Brewing, Grape and Vine 1010 Virginia Dr
Then-June 2011 Vacant lot Corner of Mills and Nebraska
Now-June 2018 Mills Park Corner of Mills and Nebraska
Then-May 2013 Brian’s Restaurant and Nora’s Sugar Shack 1409 N Orange Ave
Now-June 2018 Stir Restaurant 1409 N Orange Ave
Then-October 2008 Vacant lot Corner of Orange and Amelia
Now-October 2017 Central Station on Orange Corner of Orange and Amelia
Then-April 2011 Orlando Surgery Center 12000 N Orange Ave
Now-June 2018 Major Investments and M Lounge 12000 N Orange Ave
Then-March 2011 Tony’s Deli 1323 N Mills Ave
Now-May 2018 Black Rooster, The Guesthouse 1323 N Mills Ave
Then-November 2007 Chinatown 1103 N Mills Ave
Now-March 2016 Hawkers Asian Street Fare 1103 N Mills Ave
Then-November 2007 Luxury Imports 842 N Mills Ave
Now-July 2015 Floyd’s a Barber Shop 842 N Mills Ave
Then-June 2011 Vega’s Cafe 1835 E Colonial Dr
Now-August 2018 Black Bean Deli 1835 E Colonial Dr
Then-October 2007 O’ Boys Bar-B-Q 565 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park
Now-June 2018 Ravenous Pig 565 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park
Then-April 2011 Vacant lot 941 Orlando Ave, Winter Park
Now-June 2018 Ravaudage Winter Park, Miller’s Ale House 941 Orlando Ave, Winter Park
Then-November 2007 River of Life Church 8323 W Sand Lake Rd, Dr. Phillips
Now-August 2018 Trader Joe’s, Slate 8323 W Sand Lake Rd, Dr. Phillips
Then-October 2007 State Auto Body 1288 N Orange Ave, Winter Park
Now-August 2018 Bear & Peacock Brewery, Foxtail Coffee 1288 N Orange Ave, Winter Park
Then-November 2007 Tom & Jery’s Bar & Lounge 1117 Orlando Ave, Winter Park
Now-June 2018 Broadstone Winter Park 1117 Orlando Ave, Winter Park
Then-November 2008 Vacant lot 655 W Church St
Now-October 2018 Orlando City Stadium 655 W Church St
Then-March 2008 Commercial plaza 131 North Orlando Avenue, Winter Park
Now-March 2018 Trader Joe’s, Shake Shack, Paddleboard Orlando 131 North Orlando Avenue, Winter Park
Then-October 2008 TGI Fridays 8126 International Dr
Now-August 2018 Mango’s Tropical Cafe 8126 International Dr
Then-November 2007 The Mercado Plaza 8401 International Dr
Now-March 2017 ICON Orlando 8401 International Dr
Then-July 2008 Vacant lot 320 Rosalind Ave
Now-February 2017 Parking garage 320 Rosalind Ave
Then-April 2011 Parking lot 335 N Magnolia Ave
Now-March 2014 SkyHouse Orlando Apartments 335 N Magnolia Ave
Then-October 2007 Orlando Weekly offices 100 W Livingston St
Now-October 2018 Ace Cafe 100 W Livingston St
Then-October 2007 Medina’s Grocery 101 N Bumby Ave
Now-March 2016 Saigon Noodle and Grill 101 N Bumby Ave
Then-June 2011 Ralph Kazarian Insurance 1200 E Colonial Dr
Now-October 2018 iFixYouri 1200 E Colonial Dr
Then-July 2008 Vacant lot 445 S Magnolia Ave
Now-February 2017 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 S Magnolia Ave