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Orlando, FL

Hamlin

Honor the Legacy and Heritage of the Land

status

Conceptual

client

Boyd Development Corporation

expertise

Master Planned Communities

services

Master Planning

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Blending Rural Elegance with Lakeside Living

Built on a citrus farmstead, the pride and heritage of family-owned farms, and the idea of life on the water, in the water, and at the water, this master planned community in Central Florida is deeply rooted in the land.

Characterized by its historic Florida citrus groves, Hamlin is a 600-acre premier waterfront community located in the commercial heart of Horizon West’s 23,000 acre master plan in southwest Orange County. With over two million square feet of commercial development and 1,500 homes, Hamlin will serve as the regional retail and employment base for the greater Horizon West community.

LandDesign was engaged by Boyd Development Corporation to create a vision and master plan for Hamlin that would bring much needed economic stability to the region, which is no longer suitable for agricultural use. Comprised of residential, office space, retail services, light industrial and manufacturing, a health and wellness center, and a regional sports park, Hamlin is envisioned as the town center for Horizon West’s several villages, establishing an unparalleled community hub for locals and visitors.

Our Vision

A Guiding Vision Grounded in Historic and Natural Contexts

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To further connect to the land, the master plan provides both residents and visitors convenient access to and views of the site’s greatest amenity and natural resource — Lake Hancock. Featuring lakefront residences, a waterfront commercial retail center, and an integrated greenway system, Hamlin is envisioned as a lakeside community where everyone lives, works, shops, and dines within one block of the water. A greenbelt connects and preserves the existing wetlands and proposed park spaces, providing scenic vistas, gathering areas, nature-based recreation, and a network of trails, foster a walkable, wellness-focused atmosphere. Providing visioning and design guidelines to guide development, LandDesign’s master plan for Hamlin is grounded in the natural resources and traditions of the region — the agriculture of the citrus groves, waters of Lake Hancock, and recreation promoting health and wellness.

The Challenge

Managing a Rural to Urban Transition

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Topographical features of the land, including the waterbodies and wetlands, restricted the land’s development potential and resulted in challenges to meet the minimum density requirements while providing the desired mix of housing products and lot sizes. These natural features also inhibited the desired lakefront activation and interconnectivity across the greater Horizon West community as the placement of roads and buildings were restricted. As a result, the master plan blends rural and urban concepts, preserving large quantities of open space to create a community connected by trails, water, and parkland.

Evolution of Horizon West

Southwest Orange County has long been characterized by its historic citrus industry. But after a series of devastating freezes in the late 1980s caused citrus production to relocate further south, the rural land became subject to increased development pressure. Just north of Walt Disney World and 20 minutes from Downtown Orlando, the area is well positioned for development. To avoid the piecemeal growth and suburban sprawl formerly experienced in Orange Country, a group of property owners came together in partnership with Orange County to develop a better approach to growth management. The resulting master plan, Horizon West, proposes five walkable, mixed use neighborhood villages and one central town center: Hamlin.

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Our Approach

Ground the Development in the Region’s Traditions of Agriculture, Water, and Recreation

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Physical

Enhance, celebrate, and preserve the site’s natural resources, using wetlands as boundaries for development, preserving large quantities of open space, retaining the agricultural character of the land

Functional

Connect this community hub with the surrounding neighborhoods through a network of trails and open spaces

Social

Embrace the natural setting and active outdoor lifestyle through shared social spaces, amenities, and walkable conveniences that contribute to a sense of place

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Physical

Enhance, celebrate, and preserve the site’s natural resources, using wetlands as boundaries for development, preserving large quantities of open space, retaining the agricultural character of the land

Homepage Header

Functional

Connect this community hub with the surrounding neighborhoods through a network of trails and open spaces

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Social

Embrace the natural setting and active outdoor lifestyle through shared social spaces, amenities, and walkable conveniences that contribute to a sense of place

Preserving Pastoral Heritage

Hamlin honors the legacy of the family-run citrus industry by preserving and integrating orange groves and agrarian aesthetics into the physical landscape and community character. Open spaces across the community feature existing citrus groves, while the modern yet rustic architectural character takes inspiration from the region’s agricultural heritage.