More than $500 million in development planned for 2013-2014 in International Drive Area
ORLANDO, FL--It’s a busy time in Orlando’s I-Drive area.
Soon to open: Transformers the Ride 3 D at Universal Orlando; two new roller coasters at Fun Spot America; Antarctica Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld of Florida; an additional 100,000 square-foot expansion to Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue. And that’s only the beginning.
Over the next two years, more than a half billion dollars worth of new projects are planned and visitors will be able to view it all from the 425 foot-high Orlando Eye! which is scheduled to open in summer 2014. The $250 redevelopment of the former Mercado site also plans to include Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Sea Life Aquarium, 232,850 square feet of retail, restaurants and entertainment.
“The planned development and redevelopment signal an optimistic upturn in the economy,” says Luann Brooks, executive director of the International Drive Improvement District.
“Exciting new attractions, accommodations, resorts, shopping, dining and commercial real estate development within Orlando’s tourist corridor will serve to attract new visitors to the destination and offer many reasons for our returning guests to visit.”
New development plans include:
Opening in 2013
• $20 million new development
• 10 acres
• Includes 2 roller coasters, one wood & one steel
• SkyCoaster ride – 250 feet
• Opening Spring 2013
• Construction Costs: $50 million
• Opening Summer 2013
Avanti Resort
• 652-room leisure resort
• Estimated redevelopment costs: $30 million
• Opening early 2013
Kirkman Point Office & Commercial Center
• 650,000 sq ft mixed use office & commercial center
• 19 acres
• Estimated development costs - $7.0 million Phase I
• Phase II to include retail shopping center
• Opening early 2013 with office building
Kings Bowl America, LLC (I-Drive Live)
• 22 10- pin bowling lanes
• Billards
• Bocce court
• Full service restaurant and lounge
• Meeting space
• Part of I-Shops Master Plan
• Opening early 2013
Panera Bread Restaurant
• Near SeaWorld/Aquatica on South I-Drive
• Estimated construction costs: $1.2 million
• Opening early 2013
Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant
• Near SeaWorld / Aquatica on South I-Drive
• Estimated construction costs: $1.8 million
• Opening early 2013
Orchid Bay Plaza
• Phoenicia Development
• Cici’s Pizza
• World of Chocolate
• Oakwood Grille
• Farmers Market
• Estimated construction costs: $20 million
• Fully open in January 2013
• Voyage to the bottom-of-the-world, to the coldest and windiest continent, to a place of ice more than 9,000 feet thick. It’s a journey to Antarctica and to the empire of the penguin.
• One-of-a-kind ride and an incredible family adventure
• Estimated construction costs: Unavailable
• Opening spring 2013
I- Shops (I-Drive Live)
• $50 million redevelopment of Wyndham Hotel site
• Includes revamping 600 guest rooms
• Includes 13 out parcels for shops & restaurants
• Opening late 2013
Sea Isle Apartment Complex
• Epoch Properties
• 15.8 acres
• Residential living apartments
• Estimated construction value: $45 million
• Opening in late 2013
• 100,000 square foot expansion to already existing 550,000 sq ft mall
• New stores includes Saks 5th Off Avenue
• Estimated construction costs: $35 million
• Opening 2013
Alta Apartments at Lake Eve
• Managed by Wood Residential Services
• Luxury apartments
• Estimated economic impact value: $35 million
• Opening January 2013
Opening in 2014
I-Drive Live
• $250 million redevelopment of Mercado site
• State of the art entertainment center
• 20 acres
• To include: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Sea Life Aquarium and the 425 foot high Orlando Eye!
• 232,850 square feet of retail area, restaurants & entertainment
• Plans include future hotels
•Planned opening: summer 2014
Universal Orlando – Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort by Loews Hotels & Resorts
• 1800 rooms including 900 family suites
• Construction Costs: $25 million.
• Scheduled to open in 2014
Mango’s Tropical Café
• 49,000 square feet (formerly Friday’s Front Row)
• Latin themed nightclub & restaurant
• Development costs: $30 million
• Scheduled to open in 2014
• $100 million redevelopment
• Open air center with themed area
• Scheduled opening: not announced