Maitland City Centre opens

Maitland City Centre is about to be open for business. 

The $68 million mixed-use project, which features both apartments and retail businesses on the first floor, will mark the occasion with a grand opening Friday, Oct. 5.

“It’s very exciting to create something that’s going to be (part of) the heart of the community of Maitland,” developer Allen Morris said.

Both the Allen Morris Company, the project’s parent organization, and Maitland Mayor Dale McDonald will be present for the opening. 

The 35,000-square-foot project covers a three-acre city block and reaches six stories high at its peak, with a six-story parking garage to match. It includes 244 apartments total with more than 10 retail locations by the time everything is done. Morris said more than 25% of the location’s residences already have been filled, as well. 

It’s been a long time coming for the development. Shovels hit the ground in June 2016, and work on the project has continued since. Morris and other officials decided Oct. 5 would be the best day to host the grand opening — hours before the grand opening of Maitland’s Independence Lane, the first step in a downtown initiative. 

There were a few setbacks. A a food hall concept led by Dovecote Chef Clayton Miller was scrapped in December because of concerns of Maitland’s expanding food scene, leaving a 4,500-square-foot hole in the developer’s plans. Morris said attracting restaurants and retailers to join the fledgling complex has been the hardest part of the venture.

“A lot of the restaurant operators didn’t believe it until they saw it built,” he said. “It delayed the signing of leases and their moving in. But once they saw it come together and they could actually see what it was going to be, then they got excited.”

IF YOU GO

Maitland City Centre Grand Opening

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 

WHERE: 190 Independence Lane, Maitland

WEBSITE: 

maitlandcitycentre.com

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/maitlandcitycentre

City Centre Businesses

 Maitland City 

Centre Restaurants

407 Gelato

Bam Barre and 

Renaissance Med Spa

Boku Sushi

Burgerim Gourmet Burgers

Cookit World LLC

Dixie Belle Cafe

Houndstooth 

Kitchen & Eatery

Midici’s Pizza

Sanford Brewing Company

Starbucks

Subway