deeply rooted in the HISTORY of oviedo
Generations of Land Stewardship
Nelson & Company is a family-owned company backed by 138 years of argi-business, and our roots are entwined with the history of Oviedo, Florida. Hundreds of acres of family land have been master-planned to become some of the most desirable mixed-use developments in our community, providing a successful and sustainable future of our ancestral home. We continue to be stewards of responsible land development and use our commercial real estate experience to acquire and expand our portfolio, and build and manage high-quality properties that serve the needs of Oviedo’s residents and visitors. Unlike other real estate investors and managers, we live and work in the region. Oviedo has been our home for 6 generations and our mission is to continue that legacy with sustainable and sensible growth.
from crops to commercial real estate
the rest is history.
Nelson & Company, Inc., was established in 1886 as Nelson Brothers, a citrus packing plant in Oviedo, Florida by founders, Steen and Gus Nelson. In 1923, the company changed its name to Nelson & Company after partnering with Benjamin F. Wheeler, Sr., an agriculture visionary and Citrus Hall of Fame Inductee. Benjamin (BF) purchased Nelson & Company and achieved incorporation that same year.
At the time, Nelson & Company operated as an agri-business delivering high-quality celery and citrus to the Northwest, Midwest, and Canadian markets. Their produce shipped under several crate labels, including the national brands of Ben Franklin, White Rose and MoonBeam, as well as Maple Leaf (shipped to Canada). These artistic and colorful labels were a hallmark of Nelson & Company’s signature produce and came to be known as the first postcards of the South.
In the early 1970s, Nelson & Company diversified into commercial real estate and onboarded Arthur Evans. At the passing of his father, John W. Evans, Sr. in 1982, Arthur was named as secretary/treasurer, and in 1991 he was elected as president.
During the 1980s, Central Florida was plagued with 3 catastrophic freezes impacting several hundred thousand acres of crops, including the Wheeler/Evans land. Using this family resource as leverage, Arthur and his family partnered with the local government to establish a comprehensive and sustainable plan for the future of Oviedo.
Transforming their agricultural properties into high-quality residential and commercial development, Arthur and his family maintained the generational legacy of Nelson & Company. This vision included what is known today as Kingsbridge East and West, Reformed Theological Seminary, and the mixed-use development, Oviedo on the Park and Evans Square. Over the past 2 decades, the Evans brothers have worked tirelessly with public entities on the Downtown Oviedo Redevelopment Plan including Solary Park (completed) as well as the Water Tower District, and re-routing infrastructure to accommodate a walkable and mixed-use Downtown.
In 2022, the Evans brothers (Arthur, John Jr., David, and Charles) divided their companies and properties. Arthur acquired the entire Nelson & Company continuing operations solely in commercial real estate investment and management with his wife, Beverly, and their children: Laura Evans Neil, Caroline Evans Liebfried, and John Arthur Evans. Though this ended the Evans’ argi-business era, their commitment to the success of Oviedo as a growing and vibrant community will remain strong; the focus on legacy investment will continue.
from crops to commercial real estate
the rest is history.
Nelson & Company, Inc., was established in 1886 as Nelson Brothers, a citrus packing plant in Oviedo, Florida by founders, Steen and Gus Nelson. In 1923, the company changed its name to Nelson & Company after partnering with Benjamin F. Wheeler, Sr., an agriculture visionary and Citrus Hall of Fame Inductee. Benjamin (BF) purchased Nelson & Company and achieved incorporation that same year.
At the time, Nelson & Company operated as an agri-business delivering high-quality celery and citrus to the Northwest, Midwest, and Canadian markets. Their produce shipped under several crate labels, including the national brands of Ben Franklin, White Rose and MoonBeam, as well as Maple Leaf (shipped to Canada). These artistic and colorful labels were a hallmark of Nelson & Company’s signature produce and came to be known as the first postcards of the South.
Benjamin F. Wheeler, Sr.
In the early 1970s, Nelson & Company diversified into commercial real estate and onboarded Arthur Evans. At the passing of his father, John W. Evans, Sr. in 1982, Arthur was named as secretary/treasurer, and in 1991 he was elected as president.
During the 1980s, Central Florida was plagued with 3 catastrophic freezes impacting thousands of acres of crops, including the Wheeler/Evans land. Using this family resource as leverage, Arthur and his family partnered with the local government to establish a comprehensive and sustainable plan for the future of Oviedo.
Transforming their agricultural properties into high-quality residential and commercial development, Arthur and his family maintained the generational legacy of Nelson & Company. This vision included what is known today as Kingsbridge East and West, Reformed Theological Seminary, and the mixed-use development, Oviedo on the Park and Evans Square. Over the past 2 decades, the Evans brothers have worked tirelessly with public entities on the Downtown Oviedo Redevelopment Plan including Solary Park (completed) as well as the Water Tower District, and re-routing infrastructure to accommodate a walkable and mixed-use Downtown.
In 2022, the Evans brothers (Arthur, John Jr., David, and Charles) divided their companies and properties. Arthur acquired the entire Nelson & Company continuing operations solely in commercial real estate investment and management with his wife, Beverly, and their children: Laura Evans Neil, Caroline Evans Liebfried, and John Arthur Evans. Though this ended the Evans’ argi-business era, their commitment to the success of Oviedo as a growing and vibrant community will remain strong; the focus on legacy investment will continue.
A PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY
ARTHUR EVANS
Arthur Evans is the President of Nelson & Company. He is a 6th generation Floridian and a lifelong resident of Oviedo, Florida, living and working on the same land his family owned when the company began. He has an impressive career in agriculture, finance, and accounting backed by an extensive and prestigious education. Arthur is a community leader admired for his commitment to the region’s development and fair and equitable approach to the properties he manages. His ancestral significance in the establishment of Oviedo contributes to his passion for historical preservation, as well as the long-term sustainability of his home town.
LIFETIME OF REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE
beverly evans
Beverly handles Community Relations for Nelson & Company and is the wife of Arthur. Beverly’s hometown is Atlanta, Georgia, but she moved to Orlando as a child and is happy to call Florida her life-long home. She built a distinguished career in real estate, partnering with two nationally renowned firms spanning 30 years. During her career, she was recognized as a prominent figure in the real estate industry, earning multiple production and performance awards, including Realtor of the Year in 2010. Beverly is equally as committed to the community of Oviedo, as well as the conservation of Florida’s natural and cultural heritage.
