Oakland approves 85,000-square-foot shopping village as leasing opens

Town officials in Oakland, Florida, have approved Oakland Village, a planned 85,000-square-foot retail and restaurant center at SR-50 and Catherine Ross Road. The project is designed to bring dining, services and community gathering space to a fast-growing corridor, with construction expected to start in early 2027.

Why it matters: - Oakland Village would become the town's first shopping village. - The 14.8-acre project adds a new commercial destination in one of Central Florida's active residential growth areas. - The design is built around walkability, outdoor gathering space and tenant types that serve daily neighborhood needs.

What happened: - Oakland Town Center, LLC received approval from the Town of Oakland for Oakland Village. - The project sits at 15949 W. Colonial Drive in Oakland, at the corner of SR-50 and Catherine Ross Road. - Construction is expected to begin in early 2027. - Early leasing is now open for restaurant, retail, service and medical tenants.

The details: - Oakland Village is planned to include about 85,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. - The project spans nine buildings and two outparcels. - Planned space sizes range from about 1,260 to 10,805 square feet. - Every building can be divided. - The tenant mix is planned to include farm-to-table dining, dessert and candy shops, beauty and wellness operators, and medical and fitness users. - The site plan includes rooftop and covered patio dining. - About 16,000 square feet is reserved for courtyards and green space. - The outdoor areas are intended for markets, music and seasonal events. - The project includes golf-cart parking and bike-friendly paths that connect to nearby neighborhoods. - The architecture is meant to reflect Oakland's oaks and Orange Belt Railroad heritage. - Leasing opportunities include restaurant endcaps with patio and rooftop potential. - One drive-through position is included. - The project offers prominent signage along SR-50 and upgraded storefront design options tailored to each tenant. - The site has frontage on SR-50 and access to SR-429 and Florida's Turnpike. - It is minutes from Downtown Winter Garden, the West Orange Trail and the Oakland Nature Preserve.

Between the lines: - Oakland Village is being positioned as a "third place," a social hub between home and work. - The mix of outdoor amenities and smaller tenant spaces points to a neighborhood-center strategy rather than a traditional enclosed shopping center. - The location along major roadways and near fast-growing suburbs gives the project a built-in customer base if nearby development continues. - Alex Reece said the project is meant to honor the town's character while giving neighbors a place to gather.

What's next: - Leasing is underway now. - Prospective tenants, investors and partners can submit inquiries and download the leasing presentation at the leasing presentation and updates. - Residents can also sign up for construction and opening updates on the same site. - Oakland Town Center, LLC said the project is moving toward an early-2027 construction start. - The development team includes Costel Vanatoru leading design, Mike Warren as a partner and Alexie Fonseca leading leasing.

The bottom line: - Oakland is getting a new community-centered retail village, and the first signs of momentum are already showing up in leasing.