steve_o

There is also one on the 2nd floor at Fashion Square.

Forgettable food, horrendous service and tacky environment will kill a restaurant every time. Lotus didn’t stand a chance. There is far too much good competition out there to return to something so forgettable. ​Hopefully someone with solid restaurant experience will put something in there. The location is not the problem though I'm sure it (and the "economy") will be blamed.

Their closing isnt much of a surprise. The location was beautiful and i enjoyed spending time there but the food was horrific. Far too many better choices out there.

Not sure if this affects Orlando MLS but New York was awarded their 2nd team today.

I understood it the same.

In one of the other forum titles (coffeehouse/rooftops) there was a discussion about the dismal future of retail in Downtown Orlando. Something like this could/would draw tourists (specifically some of the 250k Brazilian mentioned) to the downtown core which would eventually lead to more shops including retail. This could be a VERY good thing for us!

I like that the clean lines and light color of the wall really bring out the industrial looking base of the billboard. I also can't believe that sign isn't down.

Unfortunately many of the failures in that space were due to the owner rejecting any long term leases. I think he was still holding out for a major development. I'd prefer the W.

I don't get it. Is there not enough room on the west side of the tracks for the drop off in front of the train station? This seems a little out of the way... South St feels like a barrier to me. Will the north bound train have a drop off at the station?

I personally think a Seasons 52 at Lake Eola in what may become World of Beer would be ideal.

"Chili Daddy" is closed Sunday and Monday.

You have to look at this a different way. This property did not fail because people didnt like it. It failed because it was constructed at the wrong time for the wrong amount of money. This, like the VUE will ultimately end up a success as soon as the condos can be released at reduced rates. This will fill up. There is plenty of demand out there. If and when the various apartments get built, the downtown population will increase. Only then will we see retail follow. The city needs the foundation of people living down there to support the infill. It will and is happening. Just give it time. We are lightyears ahead of where this city was a decade ago. In my opinion, the major set backs are behind us.

That garage is an eyesore and hardly worth saving. I'm sure there will not be less parking spaces when all is said and done. Like praha said above, hopefully it will extend the modern architecture and prove to be a great space to spend time. Have you seen the LA Live entertainment complex they are taking cues from? Sorry, but a prime location parking garage will not be missed.

Its still there. No demo yet.

I really, really, really wish I didn't agree with you but I do. Thornton Park is NOT Winter Park or Sand Lake Rd. and that price point is a little high. HUE revamped their entire menu to reflect a mid teens to mid $20s price point. Other than places like Enzo's or christinis, Italian food should never really be priced into the mid $20s per entree. Prickly Pear is even higher (upper $20s to mid $30s). I am sure they did their homework and they seem to have a great business sense but risky for sure. Excited for the soon to be open Sonoma!

The round building sits on city property. It would not look right to keep it at this point. Their master plan has specific architecture in mind. I'm really hoping (as are the developers) that the 2nd half of the ctr will pick up with construction as the 1st is finishing. Hopefully it will feel somewhat seamless...

I've seen the signs for this and was always wondering what it was. Great for downtown! Though World of Beer has opened 3+ locations, there really isn't much like it downtown - yet. The old Beacon location is going to be similar (not downtown but close). They will have 48 beers on tap and it will be some sort of a sports oriented brick oven pizza restaurant/bar/. They are doing work on it now.

I visited a new Asian Tapas Gastropub type restaurant in the Mills/1792/Asian food area this past weekend called HAWKERS. The food was amazing. I was so impressed with everything that they did. Prices were fantastic (nothing over $6-$8 or so) and everything is authentic and mostly hand made including noodles and flat breads. I begged them to not change anything as they hit imminent success (as many restaurants do). Very casual, good beer selection, great prices, fantastic food. Definitely check it out! Located at 1103 Mills Ave

As SunRail is not directly and VERY publically linked to Obama and Democrats, I still think it has a chance. The Tea Party is not threatening to oust Scott of a future based on this project as they did the other. I personally still think it has strong legs. May be wishful thinking, though...

Precisely. Companies come or stay here because its cheap. Take a look around. The fortune 500 companies with the capital are not located in Downtown Orlando. Though we want the per sf build to be amazing, the local demographic doesn't. Unlike established cities, this is a town in training and hopefully someday it will get there. Until then, we will have to fight (through forceful education) to get the foundation planted. The Performing Arts Ctr and Sun Rail commuter trains are to some degree the first/next step.

the tourist tax hasn't amounted to what was originally offered ($120 million offered, $10 million received) so they are asking for a promise that the county will come through regardless.

Same owner - new management company. Hopefully their experience with this concept will finally get that place on track! They still cannot figure out how to get the correct show times on the site...

This stuff takes time. Be patient. The plan was to get people living downtown. To a large degree that has been a success. Now that the economy is turning around and people are investing again, this will follow.

My guess is if HOB were ever to be located downtown they will build somewhere on West Church St. The city would use this as a draw to try and revitalize the path between downtown and the Citrus Bowl.

They have been doing some clean out look. It appears that they are just making the space leasable again. I saw people working in the old Scruffy's space. If nothing else it looks better than it did when it was boarded up.