After more than a year of construction, Lake Nona West will welcome its first shoppers in just a few weeks with the opening of Homesense.
The 25,000-square-foot home decor superstore will open in mid-May, according to Joanne Ling, leasing director for Tavistock Development Co.
” And then following them, about a few weeks later in the middle of June, you’ll see Barnes & Noble open, and then Total Wine & More about a week later,” Ling said on Tuesday duirng a sneak peek of the lifestyle center.
The center’s anchor, a 150,000-square-foot Target Superstore, will open in July, along with Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy. They will be followed in August with the opening of Nordstrom Rack.
“And those openings will roll through phases through the end of the year through the fall and even some early into 2027, depending on how fast they can get up and down on their buildouts,” Ling said.
Ling said the 405,000-square-foot shopping center features a curated blend of national retailers and local businesses designed to bring people back to the center multiple times per week “for dining, shopping, or just to linger a little longer throughout our walkways and our common spaces.”
Tavistock Vice President Jessi Blakley said the architecture, landscaping and public art will create an “elevated experience” for shoppers, whether they’re planning a date night or making a Target run.
“I think we all visit many shopping centers here in Central Florida. And when you come to Lake Nona, it is apparent when you’re in Lake Nona,” Blakely said. “The widened streets, the bike lanes, the mobility improvements, like the roundabouts out front, the elevated landscaping, the murals, the artwork, the walkability. So, all of these things I think play into what makes coming to a retail experience here unique.”
The public art program, led by Chalk & Brush, will bring 30 murals to Lake Nona West, reflecting the character, natural landscape and evolving identity of the community. Founded by Cuban-born artist Cinthia “Cynno” Santos, the Miami-based studio is known for bold, graphic murals commissioned by brands like Spotify and Starbucks that often become local landmarks. Art is central to Lake Nona’s identity and placemaking strategy.
An entire wall-sized mural with the message, “Greetings from Lake Nona West,” complete with some of the community’s signature artistic elements, like The Glass House and Disco sculpture, is visible from Lake Nona Boulevard.
One of the last murals to go up is in an inner courtyard, meant to be a gathering space and entrance for the two largest restaurants.
With the message, “Wish You Were Here,” it was meant to be an Instagrammable moment. Santos said she originally designed it with similar imagery, repeating the themes of technology, water, flora and fauna. But at the last moment, the developer asked her to change it up.
“They specifically requested a dog mural here, since so many people in the area have dogs that they’re going to be walking around, and I was like, I know just the dog,” she said.
So she redesigned the mural with the smiling face and wagging tongue of Bella, her beloved Yorkie-Beagle mix who died last year just before she started the mural project. “She used to come with me while I painted and just hung out,” Santos said.
Just off the activity plaza, diners will be able to enter Tavistock’s new Cañonita Mexican restaurant, which is nearly 8,000 square feet and slated to open in the Fourth Quarter. Another primary restaurant space will be just over 6,000 square feet and has multiple LOIs from dining concepts new to the market.
Ling also announced four newly signed retailers, who will lease a combined 8,078 square feet:
- Drybar, the cult-favorite blowout brand known for its signature styling services
- Just Salad, a fast-casual concept redefining sustainable, health-forward dining
- Gloss Nail Co., a female-owned nail studio specializing in natural nail care and Bio Sculpture Gel
- Kilwins Ice Cream, famed confectionery and ice creamery known for its hand-crafted chocolates, premium ice cream and nostalgic in-store experiences
Have a tip about Central Florida development? Contact me at lkinsler@GrowthSpotter.com or (407) 420-6261. Follow GrowthSpotter on Facebook and LinkedIn.
