Historic Preservation Districts in Orlando

6 Historic Preservation Districts in Orlando

Sure, you know that Orlando is home to the top theme parks in the world, attracting millions upon millions of visitors to Central Florida each and every year. But did you also know that Orlando is home to some of Florida’s most beautiful historic districts?

To be more specific, Orlando has a total of 6 Historic Preservation districts, each with their own individual feel and personality. Inside each historic preservation district, you can find a variety of architectural home styles. Let’s take a closer look at each of the 6 Historic Preservation districts:

Downtown

The Downtown district was added to the Historic Preservation map in 1980, and became Orlando’s first Historic Preservation district. There are approximately 80 buildings located here, each constructed between the 1880s and the early 1940s. This unique district offers a glimpse into the city’s past, and includes buildings characteristic of the late Victorian era, as well as buildings incorporating classical and Mediterranean elements.

Some of the newer buildings are taller, with the development of more reliable elevators. The buildings from the 1920s through the 1940s are constructed in a modernized, streamlined style — rounding out the dynamic of downtown.

Lake Cherokee

Lake Cherokee was added in 1981, and is made up of 16 square blocks of buildings. Most are private residential homes, but there are 2 schools in this district, as well. Construction of the homes in this district began in the late 1870s, as homes were built up around the lake. There are still Victorian era homes remaining here, as well as several other homes built in the neoclassical style. By the 1920s, you could find a wide variety of homes here, including Craftsman style bungalows.

Lake Copeland

Lake Copeland was designated a Historic Preservation district in 1984. Located just south of the Downtown district, Lake Copeland is one of Orlando’s older neighborhoods. Here, you can find a wide variety of architectural styles, including Tudor Revival, Colonial, and Mediterranean homes. Most of the homes built in Lake Copeland represent the homes styles from the first half of the 20th century, and some here were even designed by notably celebrated local architects, including James Gamble Rogers II.

Lake Eola Heights

The Lake Eola Heights Historic District was created in 1989, and is large for the area, spanning almost 40 square blocks, with nearly 600 buildings in the district. Lake Eola Heights is one of Orlando’s oldest and most architecturally diverse neighborhoods. Here, you will find so many home styles, including Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Mediterranean Revival, Mission Revival, Art Deco, Minimal Traditional, and more. There are even several vernacular clapboard farmhouses scattered throughout the district.

Lake Lawsona

Lake Lawsona was designated in 1994, and encompasses the Orlando neighborhoods of Thornton Park and Lawsona/Fern Creek. One of the newer districts, Lake Lawsona was developed in the first half of the 20th century, and consists of approximately 500 buildings. Typical of this particular period in history, you will find a variety of home styles here, and there is a good mix of residential, commercial, and educational structures. Most of the homes found here are bungalows.

Colonialtown South

The newest Historic Preservation District, Colonialtown South was designated in 2000. Most of the construction in this area took place in the 1920s, and is reflective of this particular time. Houses are typically small to medium size, common to the middle class. As a general rule, the houses here are smaller, due to the financial restraints of the time period occurring between the Great Depression and the beginning of World War II. Here, you will find a distinct collection of historic homes and buildings, including Bungalow homes and the Minimal Traditional style.

Historic Homes for Sale in Orlando, FL

If you are interested in owning one of the historic homes for sale in Orlando, we would love to help. We are a dedicated team of real estate professionals, with the experience needed to help connect you with your dream home. Give us a call or connect with us online today!