McLaren Winter Park

CASE STUDY: McLaren Winter Park – Converting a Vacant Hardware Store into the World’s Largest McLaren Dealership

Winter Park, Florida | Completed August 2025

RLH Construction | Redevelopment + Adaptive Reuse + Luxury Automotive Retail

Project Overview

RLH Construction partnered with McLaren Orlando LLC to transform a long-vacant Orchard Supply Hardware building into a state-of-the-art luxury automotive dealership for one of the world’s most iconic high-performance brands. The project included a full redevelopment of the structure, specialized permitting, architectural upgrades, added green space, and complex interior modifications to accommodate a boutique sales and service experience.

The completed facility is now recognized as the largest McLaren dealership in the world, setting a new global standard for ultra-luxury automotive retail environments.

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The Challenge

Transforming a vacant retail store into a cutting-edge supercar dealership required strategic planning, technical expertise, and careful coordination with the City of Winter Park and local community stakeholders. RLH Construction managed several major challenges:

1. Special Permitting & Zoning Restrictions

Winter Park has strict zoning regulations, including limitations on automotive sales within the city’s core.
RLH Construction partnered closely with McLaren Orlando LLC, the design team, and city officials to secure:

Special use permits
Planning approvals
Operational exceptions based on the boutique dealership model

This required detailed documentation, traffic studies, and operational plans to demonstrate that the dealership would blend seamlessly into the surrounding community.

2. Community Concerns: Noise & Traffic

Residents raised concerns about:

Test drives of high-performance vehicles
Noise from supercar engines
Increased traffic on Mills Avenue and nearby roads

RLH Construction supported McLaren’s commitment to a low-impact operating model, emphasizing:

Appointed-only sales and service visits
Minimal outdoor vehicle display
Controlled test-drive routes
Premium customer experience over volume-based activity

This boutique approach helped alleviate community concerns and ensured city approval.

3. Structural Redevelopment of a Long-Vacant Building

The former Orchard Supply Hardware building had been empty for years, requiring significant renovation to meet McLaren’s global brand standards.

RLH Construction executed major interior and exterior upgrades, including:

Selective demolition
Structural enhancements
Complete interior reconfiguration to accommodate showroom, reception, lounge, offices, and service areas
Installation of specialized equipment and systems for supercar maintenance

4. Modernizing the Exterior & Enhancing Curb Appeal

To transform the site into a visually striking McLaren dealership, RLH Construction and the design team implemented:

Expanded green space along Mills Avenue
New landscaping to soften the building’s street presence
Large glass curtain walls for transparency and architectural impact
A new interior second floor for offices, storage, and viewing areas
Lighting and signage upgrades to reflect the McLaren brand

These improvements elevated the building from a vacant retail box to a world-class luxury destination.

RLH Construction’s Approach & Project Execution

RLH Construction delivered a full adaptive reuse solution that blended modern engineering, high-end finishes, and precise design execution.

Key Construction Elements

Ground-up interior reconstruction
New showroom and customer experience zones
High-performance service bays and supercar lifts
Precision mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
Structural upgrades for the new interior mezzanine
Energy-efficient lighting and controls
New façade enhancements

Collaboration & Stakeholder Coordination

RLH worked closely with:

McLaren Orlando LLC
City of Winter Park
Architects and engineers
Neighborhood representatives
Specialty automotive vendors
McLaren global brand teams

This ensured the renovation aligned with both city expectations and McLaren’s luxury brand identity.

Results & Project Impact

A Global Milestone

Upon completion, the Winter Park dealership became the largest McLaren retail facility in the world, giving Central Florida an internationally significant automotive landmark.

A Community-Friendly Luxury Boutique

The finished dealership operates with:

Appointment-based sales
Limited exterior inventory
Quiet, controlled test-drive protocols
A high-end, low-impact customer experience

Revitalization of a Previously Vacant Commercial Site

The redevelopment:

Eliminated long-term blight
Added green space
Improved streetscape aesthetics
Increased property value
Attracted business activity to the area

Adaptive Reuse Success Story

The project showcased how aging retail infrastructure can be successfully repurposed into a modern, highly specialized commercial asset — reducing waste and supporting sustainable development goals.

Conclusion

The McLaren Winter Park dealership is a standout example of RLH Construction’s ability to deliver complex adaptive reuse projects, especially those requiring:

Specialized permitting
Collaboration with luxury global brands
High-end architectural execution
Community engagement
Precision interior redevelopment

By transforming a vacant hardware store into a world-class supercar showroom and service center, RLH Construction helped create a new destination for automotive enthusiasts and elevated the commercial corridor along Mills Avenue.

This project reflects RLH’s commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and community-focused redevelopment across Central Florida.

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