THIS GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS FIVE STANDOUT APARTMENT COMMUNITIES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA: The Julian Orlando, Essex Luxe Apartments, Vintage Lake Mary, Baldwin Harbor and Lake House Apartments. Each of these communities brings something unique to the table—whether it’s a rooftop pool, lakefront view or proximity to thriving cultural districts. Here’s a detailed look at what each property offers in terms of pricing, unit types, amenities and overall lifestyle.
©The Julian Orlando
The Julian Orlando
Location: Creative Village, downtown Orlando
Unit Types: Studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms
Rent: $1,299 to $3,420/month
Located in the heart of Creative Village—Orlando’s burgeoning tech and education district —The Julian is more than just a luxury residence; it’s part of a master-planned neighborhood that houses UCF Downtown, Valencia College and major employers like Electronic Arts.
The building itself is a modern high-rise offering sleek, thoughtfully designed apartments with open-concept layouts, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and oversized windows that let in ample natural light. Each unit includes in-home washer and dryer sets, luxury plank flooring and expansive closets. Select units offer floor-to-ceiling views of downtown Orlando and Lake Dot.
Amenities include a rooftop pool with panoramic views, an advanced fitness center, indoor shuffleboard and billiards lounge, coworking spaces and secure parking. The Julian also boasts a vibrant social calendar that brings residents together through yoga classes, art events and networking nights.
For those who want walkability and culture, The Julian is minutes from the Kia Center, Inter&Co Stadium and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
©Essex Luxe A-partments
Essex Luxe Apartments
Location: Near Millenia and Universal Orlando Resort
Unit Types: 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms
Average Rent: $1,700 (1BR), $1,926 (2BR), $2,499 (3BR)
Tucked between Millenia and the Universal Orlando corridor, Essex Luxe Apartments blends modern design with the tranquility of a resort. This gated community offers spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom units featuring quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, under-cabinet lighting, large kitchen islands and wood-style flooring throughout. Walk-in closets, garden tubs and full-size washer and dryer sets round out the in-unit luxuries.
The Essex experience is elevated by a suite of resort-quality amenities: a saltwater zero-entry pool with cabanas, a yoga studio and fitness center with on-demand classes, a coffee bar and a game lounge. There’s also a pet park with agility equipment and a car care center for added convenience.
The property is ideal for professionals working in the tourism corridor, thanks to easy access to I-4, the 528 and major employers like Universal (especially those working at or adjacent to Epic Universe), Lockheed Martin and AdventHealth. The Mall at Millenia, Costco, IKEA and numerous dining options are also just a short drive away.
©Vintage Lake Mary
Vintage Lake Mary
Location: Sanford / Lake Mary area
Unit Types: Studio, 1 and 2 bedrooms
Rent: From $1,646/month
For those seeking a quieter, more suburban lifestyle with easy access to Orlando’s north side, Vintage Lake Mary offers a compelling option. Located near the bustling Lake Mary business district and Seminole Towne Center, this upscale apartment community is nestled among tree-lined streets and peaceful green spaces.
Apartments are available in studio, one- and two-bedroom layouts, all with modern finishes including designer kitchens with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, full-sized washer and dryer and walk-in closets. High ceilings and wood-style flooring add to the sense of spaciousness.
Community amenities are equally impressive: residents enjoy a resort-style pool, modern clubhouse with social spaces, outdoor kitchens with grilling stations and a fitness center complete with cardio machines and strength-training equipment. There’s also a pet spa and dog park, catering to animal lovers.
Vintage Lake Mary strikes a perfect balance—offering easy access to I-4 (it’s just a few hundred feet from the entrance and exit) and SR 417 for commuting, while preserving a sense of calm and community rarely found in more urban neighborhoods. Unique public spaces like nearby Derby Park make this community great for small families.
©Lake House Apartments
Lake House Apartments
Location: Ivanhoe Village / downtown Orlando
Unit Types: 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms
Rent: From $1,882/month
Perched on the edge of Lake Ivanhoe and just north of downtown Orlando, Lake House Apartments blend high-rise luxury with waterfront living. This 10-story building is a standout in the Ivanhoe Village district—a charming, artsy enclave known for its vintage shops, gastropubs and access to public art installations and the Orlando Urban Trail.
The district embraces an indie feel, calling itself “a little more unapologetic than most” of Orlando’s neighborhoods.
Lake House offers a wide variety of unit sizes, from modest one-bedrooms to expansive three-bedroom penthouses with floor plans up to 3,513 square feet. Units feature contemporary finishes, including quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, floor-to-ceiling windows, designer lighting, soaking tubs and built-in smart home technology.
Community amenities include a lake-facing resort pool, lounge deck, fire pits and a fitness studio with lake views. Residents also benefit from concierge services, secure parking and an onsite pet spa. The building is pet-friendly and walkable to local restaurants, yoga studios and parks.
Lake House is ideal for professionals, creatives or anyone who values city living without sacrificing the peace and beauty of lakeside life.
©Baldwin Harbor
Baldwin Harbor
Location: Baldwin Park, Orlando
Unit Types: 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms
Average Rent: $1,918 to $4,754/month
If lake views, boutique-style living and proximity to retail and dining top your wish list, Baldwin Harbor delivers. Located on the banks of Lake Baldwin in one of Orlando’s most desirable traditional town-planned neighborhoods, this luxury community offers spacious apartments with upscale details and a polished aesthetic.
Each unit features quartz countertops, modern cabinetry, hardwood-style flooring, kitchen islands, wine racks, spa-inspired bathrooms and Nest thermostats. Options include one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, including select units with lake views and private balconies.
The real highlight is the setting. Baldwin Harbor sits directly on Lake Baldwin’s waterfront and offers private dock access, two expansive pools with cabanas, a 24-hour fitness center and yoga lawn, massage therapy rooms and an outdoor pavilion with grilling stations and fire pits. Baldwin Park’s interconnected green spaces, wide sidewalks and front porches make it a perfect place for cyclists, skaters, walkers, runners and those who just love the outdoors, all while being just minutes from downtown Orlando.
The community is also walkable to Baldwin Park’s Village Center—filled with restaurants, boutiques and wellness studios—and a quick drive from downtown Orlando, Winter Park, and major hospitals and corporate campuses.