McLaren Engineering finishes Orlando rental project

UPDATED Dec. 21, 11:25 a.m.: McLaren Engineering Group completed design services, structural engineering and construction administration for two wood-framed, low-rise apartment buildings in Orlando that together will span more than 1 million square feet.

Orlando-based ZOM, a multifamily housing developer, opened the first building at Baldwin Harbor Luxury Apartments last month and expects that the second will be complete by the end of December.

McLaren designed the four-story buildings, each spanning 584,300 square feet, with wood-framed roof and floor trusses, and with steel in some sections where the span was too long for wood to support.

“Overcoming the challenge of designing for four-story wood-framed construction was the biggest technical challenge for this project,” Andrew Habel, Florida Division manager, McLaren Engineering Group said in a prepared statement. “Four stories are typically as high as wood-framed buildings can be built due to strength limitations with the wood framing.”

The two Baldwin Harbor buildings will have a total of 483 units. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments range in size from 627 square feet to 1,459 square feet. Monthly rents run from $1,400 to $3,600. Each unit is equipped with an in-suite washer and dryer.

Baldwin Harbor amenities include two resort-style pools with cabanas, a fitness facility, a game room, and a clubhouse with Wi-Fi.

The apartment development is located on Lake Baldwin in northeast of downtown Orlando, and the property’s waterfront features an outdoor fire pit and grilling area.

“We developed the project on two waterfront parcels in a prime location adjacent to the mixed-use Village at Baldwin Park. Greg West, chief development officer of ZOM, said in a prepared statement. “The property is doing quite well in terms of leasing, which leads us to believe there is a market for this type of complex in east Florida.”