MetroWest (Orlando)

MetroWest is a master-planned community in Orlando, a city located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. The 1,805-acre (730 ha) mixed-use community is located southwest of downtown Orlando,[3] with the main entrance situated on MetroWest Boulevard, off of Kirkman Road.

MetroWest
Master-planned community
MetroWest
Location in Florida
Coordinates: 28°31′16″N 81°28′39″W
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyOrange
CityOrlando
MetroWest Development1982
Founded byAaron Dowd
DeveloperDebra Inc.
Area
 • Total1,805 acres (730 ha)
Elevation198 ft (60 m)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip code
32835
Area code(s)407 and 321
WebsiteMetroWest Master Association

The neighborhood was developed in the 1980s by Debra, Inc., an Orlando-based developer, as a business, commercial and residential community- a place where people can live, work and play. It has over 9,600 residential homes as of 2013 (see Residential neighborhoods below). Housing options in the diverse community of Metrowest include a range of single-family homes with several apartment, townhome and condominium complexes spread over the gently rolling landscape.

MetroWest is managed by the MetroWest Master Association (MWMA), a corporation formed by Debra, Inc., which has the overall responsibility and right in maintaining the standards of all common areas located within the community.[4] Past and future developments, projects and changes in MetroWest are first approved by the association's Design Review Board (DRB) following guidelines for quality and architecture that is harmonious to the present structures and topography.[5] The beautiful award-winning landscaping and clean environment keep MetroWest at the top of the City of Orlando's most beautiful places to live in.[6]

Geography
Replica of the Horses of Saint Mark in Venice, Italy at the entrance to MetroWest Village

The 1,805-acre (730 ha) mixed-use community is located in western Orlando. It is bounded by Kirkman Road to the east; by Turkey Lake to the southeast; by Pembrooke Pines development to the south; by the Florida's Turnpike to the southwest; Apopka-Vineland Road on its western tip; and to the north by Steer Lake Road, Edgewood Children's Ranch, Lake Hiawassee and Orlo Vista, Florida.[7]

Bisecting the middle of the development, winding from north to south, is South Hiawassee Road, which also serves as the main entrance coming from the north and only entrance from the south. The other north entry point is through Lake Vilma Drive, off of Steer Lake Road. There are several entrances on the eastern side of the community, from north to south: Westgate Dr; Raleigh St; the north and south Valencia Community College Dr; north and south Metropolis Way; MetroWest Blvd, the main entrance of the community; and Arnold Palmer Drive. The main entrance of MetroWest is only 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of Universal Studios Orlando. [7]

Hiawassee Rd was widened during the construction of MetroWest
MetroWest Village, the first shopping center established in the community

After five years and an estimated $50 million worth of preparation, tracts of land were sold to developers and builders for residential and business projects. The Metrowest Master Association (MWMA) was established by Debra, Inc. on February 17, 1986 and thereafter, all construction and design plans are first examined by the Design Review Board (DRB) of the MWMA following strict guidelines before approval.[8] The original master plan for the community included up to 4,500 residential units; 6 million square feet of office space, 2.5 million square feet of retail, restaurant, and industrial space; and 3,700 hotel rooms. Like other master-planned communities, the development was designed as a place where people can live, work and play. The 350-acre (140 ha) urban center, where dense development was planned, lies south of MetroWest Blvd and extends to Turkey Lake. The development has an about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of frontage on the lake.[2]

Work on the Metrowest Golf clubhouse was started in 1986. It was opened and dedicated the following year. The course was first managed by the Arnold Palmer Golf Management.[1][9] Residential development near the community's 18-hole golf course was started in 1987. By 1989, about 700 single-family homes or villas have been built or planned. Another 1,300 apartment units had been built or were on the drawing boards. Development was also started on the community's most exclusive residential area, Palma Vista, a planned 200-lot subdivision that surrounds the 13th and 14th holes of the golf course on the highest land in the community. The crest of the property, at an elevation of 198 feet (60 m) above sea level, is one of the highest points in Orange County and offers views of downtown Orlando's skyline 5 miles (8.0 km) to the east.[2] The community's first shopping center, MetroWest Village at the corner of S. Hiawassee Rd and Westpointe Blvd, was opened in the fall of 1990 completely leased.[10]


Residential neighborhoods
A directory-road sign on Hiawassee Rd showing the neighborhoods in MetroWest.

Homes

There are nine subdivisions with single-family homes and one townhome complex in Metrowest with a total 1,259 residential units.[11]

No. Subdivision Address No. of
single-family homes
1Fairway CoveS. Hiawassee Rd.140
2HawksnestS. Hiawassee Rd.91
3MetroWest Unit 5:
a) Abingdon Hill
b) Bardmoor
c) St. Andrews		Westpointe Blvd.367 Total
4Palma VistaWestpointe Blvd.189
5Stonebridge LakesShallot Dr.103
6Villa Capri
(townhomes)		Arnold Palmer Dr.141
7Vista RoyaleVista Royale Blvd.70
8WestchesterPiccadilly Lane160
9RidgemooreBridgestone Dr

Condominiums
The Residences at Veranda, a 142-unit condominium in MetroWest
The Tradewinds on S. Hiawassee Rd

Fourteen condominium complexes with over 4,851 residential units.[12] Some of these dwellings were previous apartments converted into condominiums during the housing boom.[3]

No. Condominium complex Location No. of units
1Azur at MetroWest
(formerly Colonial Grand at MetroWest
and Centergate MetroWest)		Raleigh St.311
2Bermuda DunesWestpointe Blvd.336
3Central Park at MetroWest
(formerly Victoria Point Apts.)		Westgate Dr.400
4Fountains at MetroWest
(formerly Toscana at MetroWest)		Westgate Dr.238
5The Hamptons at MetroWestTimes Square Ave.766
6Madison at MetroWest
(formerly Worthing at MetroWest)		Robert Trent Jones Dr.364
7PromenadeBuford St.124
8Residences at VerandaGrande Ave.142
9Serenata
(formerly Douglas Grand at MetroWest)		MetroWest Blvd.398
10Stonebridge Commons:
a) Carriage Homes
b) Mandalay
c) Ventura
d) Vistas		Ducados Pointe622 Total
a) 172
b) 104
c) 200
d) 146
11Stonebridge LakesShallot Dr.208
12Stonebridge Place
a)Horizons
b) Vistas		Tolstoy Lane310 Total[13][14]
a) 180
b)130
13Stonebridge ReserveRobert Trent Jones Dr.296
14Tradewinds
(formerly Lakefront at MetroWest)		S. Hiawassee Rd.544

Apartments
The La Palazza apartment complex located along Turkey Lake

Ten complexes with a total of 3,557 units make up the apartments in MetroWest.[15]

No. Apartment complex Location No. of units
1Amara at MetroWest
(formerly Vinings Club at MetroWest)		Raleigh St.456
2The Estates at Park AvenueBiltmore Park Dr.432
3Harbortown
(aka Gates of Harbortown)		Lake Debra Dr.428
4La Palazza
(formerly Alexan Club at MetroWest)		Lake Debra Dr.510
5Landmark at Siena Springs
(formerly Lexington Park)		Westgate Dr.252
6Marina LandingWestgate Dr.260
7Indigo West
(formerly Sabal Palm at MetroWest)		Raleigh St.411
8The SummitMetroWest Blvd.280
9Vista VerdeS. Hiawassee Rd.200
10Alvista at MetroWest
(formerly The Element at MetroWest)		Lake Debra Dr.328

Others
  • Golf Ridge is a 59-unit condominium complex off of S. Hiawassee Rd. near Raleigh St. that is completely surrounded, but not part of MetroWest.[16][17]

Education

Schools located within Metrowest
  • MetroWest Elementary School is a public school on Lake Vilma Rd. that was opened in 1986 to serve the children of the community from PK to Grade 5.[18]
  • Valencia College West Campus, along Kirkman Rd, was awarded as the top community college of the nation in 2011 by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.[19]

Middle school

Students who live west of South Hiawassee Drive are zoned to attend Gotha Middle School on Gotha Road in Windermere, Florida. Students east of South Hiawassee Drive go to Chain of Lakes Middle School on Conroy-Windermere Road in also in Windermere.[20][21]

High school

High school students living in MetroWest are zoned to Olympia High School on Apopka-Vineland Road in Orlando, which opened in August 2001.[20]

Awards
  • Winner of the Orlando's City Beautiful Award for District 6 in 2012 for its well-kept, aesthetically pleasing grounds, and litter-free environment.[6]
  • Metrowest is the statewide winner for the 2013 Safety and Security Award from the Florida Communities of Excellence awarded on April 5, 2013.[22]

References
  1. Snyder, Jack (1986-11-23). "Work Starts On Metrowest Club". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  2. Snyder, Jack (1989-07-13). "Developers Talk With Metrowest". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved on 2013-06-08.
  3. Jackson, Jerry W. (2007-12-10). "MetroWest feels pinch of housing slump". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved on 2013-06-05.
  4. "Maintenance Agreement", pg. 2. MetroWest Master Association Website. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  5. "Design Review Board" Archived 2013-02-18 at the Wayback Machine. MetroWest Master Association Website. Retrieved on 2013-06-10.
  6. (2012-12-10). "MetroWest Wins Orlando’s City Beautiful Award". MetroWest Master Association Website. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  7. "Metro West, Orlando, FL". Google Maps. Retrieved on 2013-06-05.
  8. "MetroWest Development Guidelines". MetroWest Master Association. Retrieved on 2013-06-11.
  9. "Builders Pick $45 Million In Tracts At Metrowest". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved on 2013-06-10.
  10. Wellons, Will (1991-03-10). "Metrowest Attracts Many Fans, A Few Grumbles". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved on 2013-06-10.
  11. "MetroWest Homeowners Associations" Archived 2013-02-15 at the Wayback Machine. MetroWest Master Association Website. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  12. "MetroWest Condominium Associations" Archived 2013-10-17 at the Wayback Machine. MetroWest Master Association Website. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  13. "Horizons at Stonebridge Place" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. BlockShopper Orlando. Retrieved on 2013-06-09.
  14. "Vistas at Stonebridge Place in Orlando" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. BlockShopper Orlando. Retrieved on 2013-06-09.
  15. "MetroWest Apartment Communities" Archived 2013-10-11 at the Wayback Machine. MetroWest Master Association Website. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  16. (1983-03-08). "Cecil Beugnot & Debra, Inc. Agreement (Golf Ridge)". Metrowest Masters Association. Retrieved on 2013-06-09.
  17. "Golf Ridge" Archived 2012-12-25 at the Wayback Machine. BlockShopper Orlando. Retrieved on 2013-06-09.
  18. (2013-05-22). "Metrowest Elementary School". Great Schools. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  19. (2011-12-12). "Florida’s Valencia College Named Top US Community College". Aspen Institute. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  20. D'Uva, Stina (2003). "Neighborhood Schools" Archived 2014-10-12 at the Wayback Machine. Mt Fairway Cove. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  21. "Local Services" Archived 2013-10-11 at the Wayback Machine. MetroWest Master Association Website. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
  22. (2013-04-17). "MetroWest wins safety award" Archived 2013-06-20 at Archive.today. West Orange Times. Retrieved on 2013-06-06.
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