Harris Rosen Way is getting a first look in Orange County Friday

The roadway signs honoring the late hotelier Harris Rosen are going up and being revealed Friday.

A ceremony is scheduled at the Rosen Centre Hotel, with several elected officials, Rosen Hotels and Resorts leaders and Rosen’s family members expected to attend.

Rosen, the CEO of the largest independent hotel chain in Florida, died at age 85 in 2024.

Beyond his business accomplishments, Rosen was legendary for his philanthropy and his support of causes from helping kids in poverty get an education to taking care of his workers.

“Harris was an angel to so many here on Earth, and now he takes his place among the angels in heaven,” Rosen Hotels executive Frank Santos said last year to announce the sad news.

Sen. Kristen Arrington, a Kissimmee Democrat, sponsored legislation last Session to pay tribute to the hotelier by creating Harris Rosen Way on a stretch in the busy tourism corridor.

The honorary roadway will be located on International Drive between State Road 528 and Sand Lake Road, which is fitting for the hotelier who played a major role in helping shape Orlando’s giant tourism industry.

In a nod of bipartisan support, the Senate later passed a committee substitute for Arrington’s bill with the 37 present Senators all voting to cosponsor it. The House also unanimously supported the tribute, with Gov. Ron DeSantis signing the measure this Summer.

Rosen isn’t the only Central Floridian being honored by having a road renamed after them under the bill.

Sen. Geraldine Thompson, who died in February at age 76, will be honored with “Geraldine Thompson Way” located on West South Street between South Division Avenue and U.S. 441 in Orange County. It’s a location that was dear to Thompson’s heart in downtown Orlando, near the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture that Thompson, an avid historian and Civil Rights leader, founded.