This visionary project aims to transform the City’s historic downtown into a dynamic, mixed-use destination that honors its agricultural-industrial roots and the legacy of Nelson & Company, Inc. Through thoughtful planning and design, the development will establish a vibrant urban framework of walkable blocks, active streets, and engaging public spaces. Key elements include enhancing mobility with pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure and strengthening connections to the Cross Seminole Trail.
With a commitment to architectural excellence, the plan encourages design standards that enrich the public realm while reflecting the character of the area’s heritage. Flexible strategies like interim structures and diverse land uses will help activate the district, nurture local businesses, and foster a strong sense of place. Ultimately, this project sets the stage for a thriving downtown where history and innovation meet.
The Chelonian-Wharton Mixed Use Development is 13.58 acre assemblage including properties previously owned by the closed Chelonian Institute which formerly housed the largest collection of tortoise and turtle specimens in the world, the local offices of Wharton Law Group, and a City of Oviedo storm water pond.
The property was approved for development as a mixed use project with 70 fee simple town-homes and 4 non-residential lots approved for a combined 20,200 square feet of office. The project includes a pedestrian/golf cart connection from Central Avenue to Oviedo-On–The-Park. Wetlands of 1.37 acres were protected along with adjacent upland buffers.
Axel Real Estate, representing the Sellers, worked with Pulte Homes to obtain approvals from the City of Oviedo, The Saint John’s River Water Management District, The Florida Department of Transportation and other applicable government agencies. The 70 approved town-homes parcels were sold undeveloped to Pulte Homes on October 13, 2023 for $2,100,000.00 after which Pulte proceeded with site development including access, storm water and utilities for the non-residential lots.
Town-homes sales commenced in March of 2025. Phase 2 is for sale. Wharton Law Group retaining Phase 3 for future expansion. For information on Phase 2, view the flyer in the documents tab or click here for more information.
Shortly after the sale of Foster’s Groves in 2015, the owner of the largest tract, Maitland Fruit Company, approached Axel Real Estate to analyze an old orange grove that was leased as a cattle pasture in Osceola County. Axel Real Estate determined that the 88.46 acres property would be marketable as a single-family subdivision and was engaged to facilitate governmental approvals and marketing.
Axel Real Estate obtained a zoning map amendment in November of 2015 from Rural Development-one acre to Low Density Residential and immediately proceeded with conceptual planning. Pulte Homes came on board in September of 2016 and worked with Axel Real Estate to obtain Preliminary Subdivision Plan Approval, which was achieved January 4, 2017. Pulte purchased the property January 24, 2017 for $4.15 million and proceeded with final approvals of East Lake Preserve which was sold under its Centex Homes brand.
The Fosters Grove subdivision was an assemblage multiple tracts totaling 44.43 acres with 11 individual owners, all of whom were represented by Axel Real Estate, Inc.
Axel Real Estate worked with M.I. Homes to obtain approvals from the City of Oviedo for a 94 lot single family subdivision with a nominal lot size of 80’x130’. The complex transaction required annexation from Seminole County, an inter local agreement between the City and County, a comprehensive plan amendments, a rezone, and approval of a preliminary subdivision plan and final engineering.
The sale closed to M/I Homes in January of 2015
Dave Axel and Lou Tulp purchased 5.76 acres in the commercial section of the Alafaya Woods PUD in May of 2004. The prior owner planned a self-storage development which did not proceed. After considering the challenges of the irregularly shaped but well-located site plans proceeded for an 8-unit 45,770 square foot office condominium project with each unit having designated parking areas. In December of 2004, the project was purchased by an entity controlled by site contractor and investor Jon M. Hall, who intended to develop the site and build the buildings speculatively for resale.
Axel Real Estate stayed on board to manage development approvals and marketing of finished buildings. Jon Hall brought Paul Goodard of M. Paul General Contractors to the team to handle planning the buildings and handle vertical design construction. In 2007 and 2008 Axel Real Estate sold 6 buildings and M. Paul General Contractors directly purchased a building for its own offices. The final undeveloped lot was sold to investors in 2010 and finally to an end user in 2013 who completed the final building in 2014.
Evans Square is a 31-lot in fill project located in Oviedo, the centerpiece of which is the Wheeler-Evans House, a Colonial Revival Home completed in 1928 by B.F. Wheeler, Sr., who purchased the property in 1901. The Wheeler-Evans House, which is listed in the National Register, was donated to a foundation for preservation and charitable uses by Clara Evans, B.F. Wheeler’s eldest of 3 children, who completed the gift in 2008.
Axel Real Estate represented the owners, Evans Groves, Inc. and the B.R. Chamberlian Foundation for Public Enrichment in planning the project and selling the 28 of the lots to an entity of Sun Terra Communities in November of 2015, who developed the project for David Weekley Homes. Three lots were reserved for the Wheeler-Evans House and future expansion of its charitable uses.
The Lake Pickett Cluster project consists of 498 gross and 383 develop-able acres of orange groves on Lake Pickett in east Orange County. On behalf of multiple owners Axel Real Estate facilitated rezoning the property the in 2014, increasing the allowable single-family density from 325 units to 383 units followed by the 2915 subdivision plan approval for the 116-unitLake Pickett Cluster 4-5.
Axel Real Estate represented the owners in collaborating with Pulte Homes on final engineering approvals resulting in the sale of the property in 2016 for $8.9 million after which it was developed as Estates at Lake Pickett.
In 2017 Lake Pickett Cluster 1-3 was approved for another 235 units in multiple phases. Again, the property owners collaborated with Pulte Homes resulting in a sale in 2 take downs being 111 lots in 2018 for $8.42 million followed by 113 lots in 2020 for $8.132 million. The property owners retained 11 lots. Pulte developed the project as Sunset Preserve.
