New 300-home development coming to Apopka

First Continental, a Houston-based lending company that specializes in residential lot acquisition and development financing, announces the closing of an $18.5 million loan for DDC Management, a land development company based in Dayton, Ohio, to build a residential community in Apopka.

Situated on a prime 95-acre tract at 851 South Binion Road, the community, which will be known as Eden Crest, will consist of 300 single-family homes and townhomes. It will feature 31 acres of open space, conservation tracts, and amenities, including a pool with cabanas, a tot lot, and a dog park. Positioned conveniently off SR 414 and Boy Scout Road, the Eden Crest community will help to meet the growing housing demands of the Central Florida market. 

Hartizen Homes, an Orlando-based residential homebuilder, will acquire the lots and spearhead the construction of the single-family and townhome units. The multi-phase development is expected to break ground in May 2024, with the first phase of 184 lots slated for completion in the second quarter of 2025; the remaining 116 lots will follow suit and are expected to be completed in 2027. 

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with DDC Management as their lending partner for such a desirable and centrally located tract in Apopka,” said John Bonner, president of First Continental. “We expect Eden Crest to make a meaningful impact on the community and help fill the need for new housing in northwest Orlando.” 

Since its inception two decades ago, DDC Management has developed over 5,000 lots for regional and national homebuilders, predominantly in the Midwest and Southeastern U.S. Currently, the group is managing 12 projects in Central Florida in various stages of development. 

“First Continental’s ability to move fast will be instrumental in enabling us to complete and deliver this project promptly,” said Devin Duffy, chief financial officer at LeadWise, a holding company that owns DDC Management and Hartizen Homes. “As land availability and housing affordability challenge the Orlando market, the Apopka area has seen significant growth, and we are eager to help meet housing demands and contribute to the city’s development.” 

A proven market leader in residential lot acquisition and development financing, First Continental prides itself in having hyper-focused expertise, allowing it to make timely decisions for its clients while providing consistency and reliability. First Continental has closed 25 loans in the first three months of the year, in excess of $181 million. 

For more information, visit FirstContinental.com.

About First Continental 

First Continental is a Houston-based private lending company founded in 1994 with a specialized focus on providing non-recourse lot acquisition and development financing. With an impressive track record, First Continental has financed over 1,200 residential communities across major metropolitan areas nationwide, including Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Raleigh, Austin, San Antonio, Phoenix, and Orlando, totaling over 95,000 lots and over $4.7 billion in transactional volume. In 2024, the company celebrates its 30th anniversary, commemorating the unwavering commitment to its clients and expertise. For more information, visit firstcontinental.com. 

About DDC Management 

DDC Management is a Dayon-based residential land development company focused on the construction of residential lots in the Midwest and Southeastern U.S., including key markets in Central Florida and North Carolina. DDC Management’s fully integrated approach to development spans the entire residential value chain, from land acquisition & entitlement through the construction of single-family and townhome lots. Since its inception, DDC Management has successfully developed over 5,000 lots in partnership with institutional capital platforms and national homebuilders. For more information, visit ddcmgmt.com.