AN INNOVATION DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN ORLANDO_smaller

A Village for those who understand that together we hold the promise of endless possibilities.

Creative Village builds upon the success of Orlando’s digital media industry by transforming the former Amway Arena site into a mixed-use, transit oriented, urban infill neighborhood in the heart of Downtown Orlando.

Creative Village delivers a true “live, work, learn, play” urban Innovation District that supports a synergistic and dynamic mix of uses including higher education, PS-8 education, mixed-income residential, student housing, office space/creative studios, retail/commercial, hotel and parks/open space.

Leading higher education providers; high-tech, digital media and creative companies; and a diverse mix of students, employees and residents call Creative Village home. The UCF/Valencia Downtown Campus, including the UnionWest student housing project, opened at Creative Village in August 2019 with more than 8,000 students/faculty/staff.

Phase 1 of Creative Village was completed in August 2022 and represents over $700 million in development activity. Completed projects include 260 mixed-income apartments; 640 purpose-built student housing beds; 701 market-rate apartments; 176,000 SF Electronic Arts Orlando Studio corporate anchor; 28,000 SF of ground floor commercial space; and 2.3-acre Luminary Green park. Completion of Phase 1 established critical mass with over 8,000 students/faculty/staff; 2,500 residents; and 1,000 professionals.

Phase 2 of Creative Village is underway with new office, apartment, hotel, mixed-income housing and student housing projects.

Recent News and Updates

Chef Norman Van Aken partners with Valencia College Downtown campus for “Get Cooking”

Orlando's new "Get Cooking" program, a collaboration between the legendary Norman Van Aken and successful food blogger Stacie Archer, teaches under-resourced families how to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals for less than $20. This initiative, featuring local chefs, leverages the culinary facilities ...

UCF’s FIEA Ranks as World’s No. 1 Graduate Game Design Program for the 4th Time in 5 Years

UCF's Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), housed at UCF Downtown in Creative Village, has been crowned the world's top graduate game design program for the fourth time in five years. This prestigious recognition underscores FIEA's unmatched excellence and leadership in ...

EA Orlando Creates Madden NFL, NBA Live and PGA Tour In The Heart of Creative Village

Orlando Magazine, March 2024 Issue – Electronic Arts Orlando is creating some of the world's most popular video games in the heart of Creative Village with its 1,000+ team members. EA Orlando was featured as a top tech leader by Orlando Magazine. To ...

UCF to EA pipeline stronger after headquarters move

The Community Paper, August 2023 Issue – Learn how the partnership between FIEA and EA amplified following the relocation of the Electronic Arts Orlando Studio to Creative Village....

Creative Village Developers Win Golden Brick Awards

On May 2, 2023, developers Craig Ustler and Brooke Myers were named Downtowners of the Year by the Downtown Orlando Partnership for their more than a decade of work in completing the first phase of Creative Village. To read the full ...

ORLANDO OPENS LUMINARY GREEN, A PARK AT THE CENTER OF CREATIVE VILLAGE

On August 30, 2022, Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 City Commissioner Regina Hill officially opened Orlando’s newest gathering place, Luminary Green Park. The 2.3-acre park located in the center of Creative Village in Downtown Orlando is a unique and special gathering ...

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Orlando: Where Business, Tech and Culture Collide

WalletHub ranks Orlando as the No. 1 Best City to Start a Business. Click here.
Best Colleges ranks Orlando as one of the top 10 fastest-growing tech hubs in the U.S. Click here.
Niche.com ranks Orlando as No. 15 of the Most Diverse Cities in America.
Privacy Journal ranks Orlando No. 2 among the Top Gaming Cities. Click here.
WalletHub names Orlando as the Best Foodie City in America. Click here.