Craig Collin, President & COO, Tavistock Development Company

April 2026 — Invest: spoke with Craig Collin, president and COO of Tavistock Development Company, about the development climate in Greater Orlando, why Lake Nona continues to attract companies and residents, and how long-term planning shapes Tavistock’s approach. “We are not in the business of building isolated projects. We build fully integrated communities, and that requires a different level of planning, investment and long-term commitment. That is what allows us to keep moving forward, even in more cautious markets,” Collin said.

How would you characterize the development climate in Greater Orlando, and what have been the most notable highlights for Tavistock over the past year?

There has been continued global and national uncertainty, and that volatility is reflected in real estate. Costs remain elevated, particularly for materials and labor, leading to more cautious decision-making across markets. In development, uncertainty often translates into slower decisions, longer underwriting and a higher bar for what gets built.

Central Florida, however, continues to demonstrate strong economic momentum. Migration that began prior to 2020 accelerated during the pandemic and has remained steady, bringing businesses, families and retirees to the region. 

Even with broader volatility, there is sustained confidence in the local economy. When people arrive, we are seeing a flight to quality. There is a clear preference for prime, well-located environments, which continues to support performance across residential, office, industrial, hospitality and restaurant sectors. 

Even in a more cautious market, demand is not disappearing. It is concentrated in the highest-quality places. Central Florida continues to benefit from that shift, driven by strong fundamentals and sustained in-migration.

For example, we signed a major office lease at the end of 2025 totaling more than 250,000 square feet, a strong signal of continued demand for high-quality product in the Orlando market.

Are you seeing increased interest from national or international firms seeking to establish a presence in Central Florida?

Yes, although the mix has evolved. In 2021 and 2022, many large national companies without a Florida footprint entered the state. Going into 2026, we are seeing more companies already in Florida expanding or relocating to more vibrant, connected communities.

We also continue to support startups. Florida remains a very pro-business state, and Lake Nona offers a distinctive ecosystem that includes education, hospitals, large employers and early-stage companies. That mix creates an environment where businesses can scale while also providing a place where smaller firms can launch and find partners and customers.

What makes Lake Nona’s ecosystem distinct, and how do you think about community building as part of development?

We have intentionally built a hub of innovation across education, human performance, technology, hospitality and health care. As that foundation grows, companies see opportunities not only to partner with Tavistock, but also to collaborate with the broader network that already exists.

Companies are not just choosing a location, they are choosing an ecosystem. What differentiates Lake Nona is the ability to collaborate across health care, education, technology and business in a way that accelerates growth.

We also place a strong emphasis on a sense of place. Businesses and residents are not just choosing an office, house or apartment. They are choosing a connected community with activity, amenities and purpose.

We apply the same philosophy in Sunbridge, a newer master-planned community southeast of Lake Nona. We often talk about live, work, play and learn, because blending those elements is what keeps a community relevant over time.

What challenges are developers facing today when planning large-scale, mixed-use development, and how do you address them?

Development is often reduced to a single project rather than long-term community viability. When your goal is long-term viability, the decisions you make are fundamentally different, particularly around housing, services and the overall mix of uses.

When you truly plan for long-term viability, you stop optimizing for short-term wins and start making decisions that shape how a community, and ultimately a region, functions over decades.

As a privately held company, we can take a longer-term view, which allows us to prioritize decisions that may require more effort upfront but deliver stronger outcomes over time.

Affordability remains a growing challenge nationwide and in Florida. When I moved to Florida in 2017, it was already a concern, and it has compounded significantly since then. Addressing this requires a broader range of housing options and thoughtful planning around how people live, work and access daily needs.

Demand is also shifting quickly for businesses. While we continue to develop Class A office spaces, we are also planning more flexible space and light industrial to meet evolving needs. We address these challenges by listening closely to tenants, residents and visitors, and adapting accordingly.

How are partnerships with healthcare and education institutions shaping future projects in and around Medical City?

The ecosystem includes both major anchors and smaller innovators. Lake Nona brings together health care organizations such as HCA, Nemours Children’s Health and the Orlando VA Medical Center, alongside other systems and providers, as well as education partners including the University of Central Florida, University of Florida and Valencia College.

This combination strengthens talent development and keeps activity concentrated in one place. It is common to see medical students and professionals working side by side, reflecting the close alignment between education and health care. That integration has been central to what we have built and continues to support research, training and long-term demand.

How do public-private partnerships fit into Tavistock’s long-term growth strategy?

We maintain strong engagement with key partners through ongoing collaboration, including councils focused on areas such as education and health care. While we are not experts in every discipline, we bring together the right stakeholders and facilitate coordination.

The strength of the community comes from how organizations work together. We also host convenings such as the Lake Nona Impact Forum, now in its 14th year, a gathering that brings together global leaders across health, technology, business and policy to exchange ideas and help shape the future of health and wellbeing. It reflects the idea that our role extends beyond real estate and is fundamentally about community development.

How has technology influenced the way you plan infrastructure and position Lake Nona for future growth?

Tavistock made early investments in foundational infrastructure. Around 2011 and 2012, the company decided to run fiber to every home, hotel room and business, creating long-term flexibility.

That decision enables connectivity across buildings and supports the ability to test and scale new ideas over time. It has supported initiatives such as early 5G deployment and autonomous vehicle testing, and it allows us to continue adapting as technology evolves.

Technology is advancing quickly, and developers are often risk-averse by nature. Today, it is essential to remain flexible and responsive while continuing to invest thoughtfully in long-term infrastructure.

Can you share an example of how that long-term approach shows up in a project?

Retail is a strong example. Beginning in May and continuing through the summer, we are opening a retail center of more than 400,000 square feet, with anchors such as Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods alongside a mix of smaller and local retailers.

We are building it with a long-term perspective, with design and execution informed by the overall fabric of the community. It is designed to feel different from a typical retail center and to be a reason people choose to live and work here, not simply a place to run errands.

That clarity of vision has helped attract a strong mix of tenants, even as retailers continue to evaluate their footprints and evolving consumer behavior, including projects such as Lake Nona West.

Looking ahead, what is your outlook for Central Florida and for Tavistock’s work in the region?

We remain optimistic. Even in a market that can feel uncertain, we are focused on long-term value and the impact of the communities we build.

Central Florida’s fundamentals remain strong, and demand continues to concentrate in high-quality places. Our work is centered on long-term regional development, including how people live, work, access health care, connect and participate in an innovation ecosystem. That is what gives us confidence in the region’s long-term trajectory.