What Is It Like to Live in Orlando’s Historic Neighborhoods? College Park, Lake Cherokee and Lake Eola Heights (2026)
Quick answer
As of November 2026, Orlando has six local historic preservation districts. Lake Cherokee (1981), Lake Eola Heights (1989) and Lake Lawsona (1994), which includes Thornton Park, require historic review for exterior changes. College Park has no local district, and the city’s Edgewater Drive roundabout is set to start construction in early 2027.
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| City of Orlando local historic preservation districts | 6 |
| Downtown historic district designated | 1980 |
| Lake Cherokee Historic District designated | 1981 |
| Lake Cherokee buildings / contributing structures | 189 / 160 |
| Lake Copeland Historic District designated | 1984 |
| Lake Eola Heights Historic District designated | 1989 |
| Lake Eola Heights buildings (approx.) | 570 |
| Lake Lawsona Historic District designated (includes Thornton Park) | 1994 |
| Edgewater Drive roundabout at Lakeview Street, construction start | Early 2027 |
| Edgewater Drive Complete Street total project cost | $5,175,441 |
| Orlando city median owner-occupied home value, 2020-2024 | $394,100 |
Sources: City of Orlando, Historic Preservation Districts and Lake Lawsona Historic District ordinance (checked Nov 4, 2026); City of Orlando, Edgewater Drive Complete Street Project (checked Nov 4, 2026); U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Orlando city, Florida (2020-2024 ACS 5-year estimates; checked Nov 4, 2026).
Which Orlando neighborhoods count as historic downtown?
In the video, historic downtown Orlando means the older rings of neighborhoods around downtown: College Park to the northwest, Orwin Manor and Rose Isle in the North Lakes, Delaney Park and Lake Cherokee to the south, and Lake Eola Heights and Thornton Park around Lake Eola.
These are City of Orlando neighborhoods with official boundaries. Some nearby areas, such as Spring Lake and Lake Fairview, are often marketed with College Park’s name but are separate neighborhoods, so confirm the official neighborhood for any address.
Which areas are local historic districts?
The City of Orlando has six historic preservation overlay districts: Downtown (1980), Lake Cherokee (1981), Lake Copeland (1984), Lake Eola Heights (1989), Lake Lawsona (1994) and Colonialtown South (2000). Lake Lawsona includes the Thornton Park area.
Inside a local district, exterior changes go through historic review. College Park is not one of the city’s local historic districts, which is why new construction is more common there than on streets like Cherokee Drive.
What is Lake Cherokee like?
The Lake Cherokee Historic District covers 16 square blocks of homes and two schools. The city counts 189 buildings, 160 of them contributing structures. The lake was once called Lake Minnie, and five 1880s homes on its west shore became known as Honeymoon Row.
In July 1981 it became Orlando’s second locally designated historic district, so plan for historic review on exterior projects.
What is Lake Eola Heights like?
Lake Eola Heights, just north of Lake Eola, has approximately 570 buildings across about 38 blocks of tree-lined brick streets. Styles include Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Mediterranean Revival, Mission Revival and Art Deco, plus vernacular farmhouses from 1890 to 1911.
It became a local historic district in 1989 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places three years later, according to the City of Orlando.
What is changing on Edgewater Drive in College Park?
The City of Orlando’s Edgewater Drive Complete Street Project covers Lakeview Street to Par Street. The first segment is a roundabout at Edgewater Drive and Lakeview Street. The city lists early 2027 for the start of construction and winter 2027 for substantial completion.
The plan widens sidewalks from as little as 5 feet to 9 to 12 feet, adds trees, and sets a 25 mph design speed through the corridor. Total project cost is listed at $5,175,441.
What should buyers check on a 70 to 100 year old home?
Older homes call for a careful inspection of the roof, plumbing (cast iron or galvanized pipe is common in older homes), electrical, foundation and drainage. Insurance quotes and the parcel’s elevation and flood zone matter too, especially near lakes.
Get real insurance quotes and a full inspection before your option period ends, and check whether the home sits in a local historic district before planning exterior work.
Have questions about buying or selling here? Call or text 407-706-5000 or visit jaredjones.com.
Jared Jones Team, Brokered by eXp Realty.
Frequently asked questions
Is College Park a historic district?
College Park is not one of the City of Orlando’s six local historic preservation districts. The city’s list includes Downtown, Lake Cherokee, Lake Copeland, Lake Eola Heights, Lake Lawsona and Colonialtown South. Without a local district, exterior changes in College Park do not go through the city’s historic review process, so rebuilds and new construction are more common there.
When did Lake Cherokee become a historic district?
Lake Cherokee became Orlando’s second locally designated historic district in July 1981, after Downtown in 1980. The district covers 16 square blocks of homes and two schools, with 189 buildings, 160 of them contributing structures. Exterior changes to homes in the district go through the city’s historic review process.
Is Thornton Park in a historic district?
Yes. Thornton Park sits inside the Lake Lawsona Historic District, which the City of Orlando established by ordinance in 1994. The city says the district contains approximately 500 buildings dating from 1911 to the 1950s. Exterior changes to properties inside the district go through historic review, so check the rules before planning a project.
When will the Edgewater Drive roundabout be built?
The City of Orlando lists the roundabout at Edgewater Drive and Lakeview Street as Segment A of the Edgewater Drive Complete Street Project. Design is complete, a contractor award is listed for winter 2026, construction is expected to begin in early 2027, and substantial completion is listed for winter 2027. Check the city’s project page for schedule updates.
What does a home cost in Orlando’s historic neighborhoods?
Prices vary widely by neighborhood, lot, lake frontage and condition. For context, the Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in the City of Orlando at $394,100, based on 2020-2024 survey data. That is a citywide survey figure, not a current sale price, so ask for a current sold-price report for the exact street you are considering.
Sources
- City of Orlando: Historic Preservation Districts (checked Nov 4, 2026)
- City of Orlando: Ordinance establishing the Lake Lawsona Historic District (1994; checked Nov 4, 2026)
- City of Orlando: Edgewater Drive Complete Street Project (checked Nov 4, 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Orlando city, Florida (2020-2024 ACS; checked Nov 4, 2026)
- Jared Jones – Orlando Living (YouTube): Orlando’s Old Neighborhoods: What It’s Like to Live Here