At a glance
| Location | Around Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive (SR 50), just north of downtown Orlando |
|---|---|
| City | City of Orlando, Orange County |
| What it is | An Orlando Main Streets commercial district run by a nonprofit board |
| Nearby residential areas | Colonialtown South and Colonialtown North |
| Historic district | Colonialtown South has been a local historic district since 2000 |
| Typical value nearby | $474,277 in Colonialtown South and $463,312 in Colonialtown North (Zillow, August 2026) |
Mills 50 at a glance
Mills 50 is one of the City of Orlando's Main Street districts, a program the city created in 2008 to support neighborhood commercial corridors. Each district is run by a nonprofit board with its own work plan and executive director. The name comes from the intersection of Mills Avenue and State Road 50, which is Colonial Drive, just north of downtown.
Because Mills 50 is a business district, when you search for a home you are really choosing among the residential streets around it. Colonialtown South and Colonialtown North are the closest, both in the 32803 ZIP.
Is Mills 50 a good area to live in?
Living near Mills 50 suits buyers who want restaurants and shops within walking distance, older in-town houses and a short trip to downtown. It suits you less if you want quiet evenings next to your house, off-street parking everywhere, or freedom from historic review in Colonialtown South.
Distance from the restaurant strip is the main variable. Visit the specific block at night and on a weekend before you commit.
What Mills 50 is known for
Restaurants
The city says Mills 50 has more Michelin-recognized restaurants than any other Orlando neighborhood, and the district is known for its Vietnamese and other Asian restaurants and shops.
Local businesses
The city describes a mix of locally owned salons, shops, bakeries, restaurants and bars, plus a brewery and a meadery.
Historic streets next door
Colonialtown South, designated a local historic district in 2000, lies generally south of Hillcrest Street, north of East Robinson Street, east of Shine Avenue and west of Hampton Street, with brick streets and 1920s homes.
Homes and prices near Mills 50
| Area | Typical home value (Aug 2026) | 1-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Colonialtown South | $474,277 | +1.7% |
| Colonialtown North | $463,312 | -0.2% |
| Lake Eola Heights | $471,078 | +1.5% |
| City of Orlando | $371,120 | -1.4% |
Figures are Zillow's typical home values. Zillow doesn't publish a separate Mills 50 figure, so use the neighborhood the home is actually in.
1920s land-boom houses
Most Colonialtown South homes were built during the 1920s Florida land boom. Bungalow, Colonial Revival, Mediterranean Revival, Mission, Prairie and Tudor Revival styles all appear. Ask for the age of the roof, electrical panel, plumbing and HVAC; our Florida home inspection checklist covers what to ask for.
Depression and prewar cottages
A second wave of smaller houses went up between the Depression and World War II, often in Minimal Traditional style, which can mean a lower entry price.
Colonialtown North homes
North of Colonial Drive, Colonialtown North is not a local historic district, so exterior work follows normal permitting. Confirm any address in the city's Information Locator. For another older district close by, see Lake Eola Heights.
Historic review in Colonialtown South
- Minor review: re-roofing, fences, paving and repair with matching materials can go through the Historic Preservation Board's Minor Review Committee in about 2 to 10 days.
- Major review: alterations, additions, new construction, relocation and demolition need a board hearing. The city says to expect about seven weeks.
- Exceptions: landscaping, changes not visible from a public street or park, paint color, roof color and emergency repairs that don't change the design.
Contributing buildings may qualify for a 10-year city property tax exemption on the added value from substantial rehabilitation.
Living near Mills 50
Shops and dining
The restaurant and shop strip along Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive is the reason most buyers look here.
Parks
Lake Eola Park is a short trip south, and small neighborhood parks sit among the residential streets; check which is closest to the home.
Schools
Confirm assignments by address with the OCPS Find My School tool, and see our Orlando schools guide.
Getting around
Mills Avenue is a state road, and the city notes heavy pedestrian activity but few protected crossings. A new crosswalk at Canton Street, with a center refuge island and flashing beacons, was due to finish design in September 2026, with construction planned for winter 2026/2027; it will limit some left turns across Mills. Several LYNX bus routes run along Colonial Drive and Mills Avenue, at $2.00 a ride.
Costs of owning near Mills 50
Property tax
These neighborhoods are inside the City of Orlando, where the most common mill code totaled 18.0878 mills in 2025. Estimate taxes on your purchase price with the Orange County property tax guide.
HOA fees
Houses on the older platted streets usually have no mandatory HOA; condos and townhomes do. Ask for the budget and estoppel.
Flood and insurance
Look up the FEMA flood zone for the parcel. Older roofs and wiring raise insurance quotes, so get one during your inspection period.
Pros and cons of living near Mills 50
Pro: restaurants on your doorstep
The city says the district has more Michelin-recognized restaurants than any other Orlando neighborhood.
Pro: close to downtown
Downtown and Lake Eola are a short trip south.
Pro: character homes
1920s and prewar houses on brick streets.
Con: nightlife noise and parking
Blocks close to the strip see evening crowds.
Con: busy roads to cross
Mills Avenue has few protected crossings until the new crosswalk is built.
Con: historic approvals in Colonialtown South
Major exterior changes need a hearing and about seven weeks. Compare more areas in our Orlando neighborhoods guide.
Common questions
Where is Mills 50 in Orlando?+
Mills 50 is just north of downtown Orlando, centered on the intersection of Mills Avenue and State Road 50, which is Colonial Drive. It is one of the City of Orlando's Main Street districts, a commercial corridor rather than a residential subdivision. The nearest residential neighborhoods are Colonialtown South and Colonialtown North.
How much do homes cost near Mills 50?+
Zillow doesn't publish a Mills 50 figure. In August 2026, Zillow's typical home value was $474,277 in Colonialtown South, up 1.7% on a year earlier, and $463,312 in Colonialtown North, down 0.2%. Both are above the City of Orlando's typical value of $371,120. Ask for closed sales that match the home type you want.
Is Mills 50 a historic district?+
The commercial district itself is not one of the city's six historic preservation districts, but the adjoining Colonialtown South neighborhood is. It was designated in 2000, and many exterior changes there need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Board. Minor items take about 2 to 10 days; major changes need a hearing and about seven weeks.
What is Mills 50 known for?+
Mills 50 is known for its restaurants and locally owned shops. The City of Orlando says the district has more Michelin-recognized restaurants than any other Orlando neighborhood, and it is known for Vietnamese and other Asian restaurants and shops, along with salons, bakeries, bars, a brewery and a meadery. It is run as a Main Street district by a nonprofit board.
What ZIP code is Mills 50?+
The residential neighborhoods around Mills 50, Colonialtown South and Colonialtown North, use the 32803 ZIP, which also covers Audubon Park and part of Baldwin Park. Zillow's typical home value for 32803 was $469,267 in August 2026, up 0.9% over the year. Confirm the exact address and jurisdiction on the Orange County Property Appraiser record.
Sources
- City of Orlando: Orlando Main Streets
- City of Orlando: Mills 50 District Main Street
- City of Orlando: Historic Preservation Districts
- City of Orlando: Mills 50 Crosswalk Improvements at Canton Street
- City of Orlando: Information Locator
- Wikipedia: Mills 50 (Orlando)
- LYNX: Fares and Passes
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center
- Zillow: Home Value Index by neighborhood, August 2026
- Orange County Property Appraiser: 2025 Final Millage Rates
- Orange County Public Schools: Find My School
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Antonio Roberts
Antonio Roberts has spent five years helping more than 500 Florida buyers and sellers choose the right real estate agent. He is not a real estate agent himself: he researches what matters in a Florida move and connects people with licensed local agents, free of charge.
Reviewed by a licensed Florida real estate agent. Before publication, this guide was checked for accuracy by a licensed Florida real estate agent on our team. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
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