Breaking ground. Branching out.
Celebrating the start of Wyld Oaks

January 19 marked an important milestone for Wyld Oaks and its future as a dynamic mixed-use destination that will be the epicenter of Apopka’s growth for generations to come. It was a day of celebration, inspiration, and ideation for a place where people will live, work, stay, dine, dance, and play.

What was once a seed of an idea is now taking root, ushering in a new frontier of growth for the Orlando region.

They say it takes a village, and the Wyld Oaks development team is grateful for the support of so many members of the Apopka and metro Orlando community who are championing this effort.

City of Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, Orange County Mayor Demings, Apopka Chamber members, and representatives from the Orlando Economic Partnership and Central Florida Expressway Authority gathered with business and industry attendees to witness and take part in the groundbreaking of one of the largest, and most valuable, mixed-use developments to emerge in Central Florida in recent years.

A highlight of the occasion was a short video presentation called “Preserving the Muses of Wyld Oaks,” in which attendees learned about the efforts to preserve and protect the majestic heritage oak trees that will provide the canopy for Yonder, a 10-acre nature preserve. As part of the groundbreaking celebration, guests were invited to add their names to a commemorative plaque which will be installed inside Yonder to honor these namesake century-old trees.

Joseph Beninati, the visionary founder behind Wyld Oaks, expressed his appreciation for everyone in attendance and unveiled the new master plan which features:

• • Up to 280,000 square feet of retail space

• • 70,000 square feet of restaurant space

• • Two hotels

• • 3,000 to 4,000 multifamily and condominium residences (the first 325 breaking ground in 2024)

• • Expansive outdoor entertainment venue

• • Up to 200,000 square feet of office space

• • Yonder, a 10-acre park and preserve, including America’s greatest dog park

• • Wyld Green, a place to revel and relax, that includes an extensive multi-use trail network

“We are honored to celebrate the groundbreaking of Wyld Oaks. Apopka is one of the fastest-growing submarkets in metro Orlando, catalyzed by the 429 expressway, the newly completed interchange that jumpstarted unprecedented new home development in this area,” Beninati said. “We believe Wyld Oaks will be the new urban epicenter of this growth—filling a deep opportunity gap for experiences, tastes, and businesses to branch out well into the future.”

Apopka Mayor Nelson also addressed the many residents and business leaders in attendance and remarked that Wyld Oaks would have a significant, positive economic impact for Apopka.

“We are excited about the Wyld Oaks master development,” Nelson said. “It’s an innovative project that will support Apopka’s exponential growth with residential and commercial uses that will generate long-term economic impact and benefits for our community.”