Quick Highlights

• New Hotel Proposal Filed: ZES International, LLC has submitted plans to build a 280-room hotel and retail space at 14445 State Road 535, next to Caribe Royale Resort.
• Reviving 1992 Entitlements: The site was originally approved for hotel use decades ago, but the project stalled and was temporarily re-entitled for apartments in 2023.
• Multifamily Dominance in Area: Several surrounding parcels have converted hotel entitlements into apartment projects, with developers favoring high-density residential.
• Nearby Hospitality Investment: The MB Resort, an 18-story luxury timeshare project by MB Signature Properties, is moving forward just west of Lake Bryan with a 2028 completion target.
• Tourism May Be Bouncing Back: As Disney tourism rebounds and international interest in Central Florida grows, some developers are revisiting hospitality as a viable long-term play.

New Plans Near Lake Bryan

In a surprising twist near Lake Bryan — just minutes from Walt Disney World — a new hotel and retail project may soon rise on a site previously slated for apartments. While much of the surrounding area has shifted toward multifamily housing in recent years, one property owner is choosing a different path: reviving a long-dormant hotel plan with fresh intent.

Here’s what’s unfolding on State Road 535.

According to executives, the renovation and expansion aims to better serve convention guests, accommodate larger groups, and provide a more seamless family-friendly experience. It’s not just a refresh — it’s a strategic reinvestment in one of the most important hospitality and event destinations in Orlando.

From Apartments to Hotel: A Throwback with a Twist

At 14445 State Road 535, next to the Caribe Royale Resort, a 6-acre site is back in play. On November 4, ZES International, LLC, an entity linked to Orlando attorney Zachary Stoumbos, filed updated plans with Orange County for a 280-room hotel and 20,000 square feet of commercial/retail space.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining things. The site received these same entitlements way back in 1992 under the “Paradise Hotel PD.” Although the hotel never broke ground, those approvals stayed on the books until 2023, when the county approved a shift to a 177-unit apartment complex instead.

Now, with this new application, it seems the apartment plans are being shelved and the original hotel vision is coming back to life.

What’s Proposed:

• 280-room hotel
• 20,000 square feet of commercial/retail space
• Adjacent to Caribe Royale and near major tourist corridors

There’s no confirmed hotel brand or construction timeline yet, but this move bucks the dominant trend in the area, where many developers have opted for residential density over hospitality.

Development Heatmap: Lake Bryan and Surrounding Activity

he Lake Bryan area is rapidly changing. Nestled between Disney, I-Drive, and the SR 535 corridor, this zone has become a hotbed for both hospitality and residential investment. While many property owners are moving away from hotels in favor of apartments, others are still betting on tourism’s long-term strength.

Notable Projects Nearby

MB Resort – Coming 2028
A major project just west of Lake Bryan, MB Resort by Mexican developer MB Signature Properties, is planned for 4.4 acres at 13651 S. Apopka Vineland Rd.

This kind of behind-the-scenes planning is essential when operating a property of this scale — one that welcomes both leisure travelers and conference-goers year-round.

Key highlights:

• 18-story tower with Disney-area views
• Outdoor amenities including a pool, splash park, fire pits, and lounge seating
• Indoor offerings like a bowling alley, coworking space, spa, arcade, gym, restaurant, and rooftop bar
• Over $100 million in sales already completed, with strong interest from international buyers, particularly from Latin America

This project is targeting fractional ownership and high-end vacation experiences, slated to open in 2028.

Multifamily Projects Taking Over
The Lake Bryan area has seen a growing number of hotel-to-apartment entitlement swaps:

• Silver Hills Development was approved in 2023 to convert 555 hotel units into 588 multifamily units and over 23,000 square feet of commercial space at 13725 and 13775 S. Apopka Vineland Rd. The plan includes a 12-story residential tower.
• Tiforp Development, led by Destin-based Freddie Schinz, proposed a seven-story, 250-unit apartment building just south of Blue Heron Beach Resort.
• Amir Dhanji, who owns a vacant 5.6-acre property at 14180 S. Apopka Vineland Rd., is currently exploring options for apartments, medical offices, or short-term rentals, though the land is still zoned for hotel and retail.

Why a Hotel — and Why Now?

It’s a fair question. With so many developers shifting toward multifamily, why bring back a hotel plan now?

There are a few key reasons:

• Proximity to Disney: With Walt Disney World only minutes away, hotel demand in this area is evergreen.
• Market rebound: The hospitality industry has bounced back strongly from pandemic lows, especially in Central Florida.
• Unique location: Adjacent to an established resort (Caribe Royale), the parcel is ideally positioned to capture overflow traffic or group business.

And while the hotel entitlements were temporarily converted for multifamily use, the timing may now favor tourism-related development once again.

An official mobile app for the resort is also in development, giving guests more control and convenience during their stay.

World Gateway PD and Continued Growth

Don’t forget the larger context here: the World Gateway PD, just down the road, is still a massive player in shaping the area’s future. While 798 hotel units were recently swapped out for multifamily, the PD still holds approval for:

4,680 hotel rooms
864 timeshare units
2,385 multifamily units
240,000 square feet of retail
Over 170,000 square feet of office space

Bainbridge World Center, located just east of Lake Bryan, is also in the midst of its final development phase. Phase one delivered 341 apartments. Phase two, expected by 2027, will add another 415 units to the mix.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where is the new hotel being proposed?

The proposed hotel is planned for 14445 State Road 535 in Orlando, right next to the Caribe Royale Resort and near Lake Bryan.

2. Who is behind the hotel project?

The application was submitted by Kimley-Horn on behalf of ZES International, LLC, an entity tied to Orlando attorney Zachary Stoumbos.

3. What are the plans for the site?

The proposal includes a 280-room hotel and 20,000 square feet of commercial/retail space.

4. Wasn’t this land previously going to be apartments?

Yes, in 2023, Orange County approved a plan for 177 apartment units on the site. However, the new filing signals a return to the original hotel entitlements granted in 1992.

5. What happened to the previous apartment developer?

New York-based Alpine Residential was under contract to buy the land for an apartment complex, but that project appears to no longer be moving forward.

6. Is this part of a larger trend in the Lake Bryan area?

Yes. While many nearby developers are converting hotel sites into multifamily projects, this proposal bucks that trend and leans back into hospitality.

7. What other major developments are happening nearby?

The MB Resort, a luxury timeshare tower, is set to break ground in 2026 and open by 2028. The Bainbridge World Center and several apartment towers are also underway or proposed nearby.

8. Why would a developer choose a hotel project now?

With tourism rebounding and limited prime land near Disney, hospitality projects could offer strong long-term returns, especially in high-traffic resort corridors.

9. Has construction started yet?

No, this is still in the application phase. Orange County will need to review and approve the proposal before any construction begins.

10. How could this hotel impact the area?

If approved and built, the hotel could bring more foot traffic, jobs, retail activity, and tourism infrastructure to the State Road 535 corridor.

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