A new luxury apartment community is coming to Downtown Orlando, and will have SunRail at its back door.

“The employment growth is what we’re looking for in terms of household formation and this is a great vibrant area,” said Jay Curran, Crescent Communities vice president.

Thursday's groundbreaking ceremony makes Crescent Central Station official.

“It’s a very central location that has been talked about for redevelopment for a very long period of time,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.

Crescent Central Station developers believe the new building fills a huge gap in downtown Orlando. The $56 million project will have 279 apartments with resort-style amenities and 12,000 square feet of ground level retail space. That is enough room for four to five small stores.

“I think the economy has rebounded and certainly SunRail played a big role in this transit oriented development," Dyer said. This locale is ideal right across from the (Orange County) courthouse but more importantly, right next to LYNX Central Station, right next to SunRail and the LYMMO line.”

The new project will be built on a piece of land that's sat vacant for over a decade.

Crescent Central Station is expected to open early next year. Developers hope to add a hotel and more retail and office space in future expansions of Crescent Central Station.