International Drive Resort Area Development Updates

Among the new projects planned for the I-Drive area, 16 are new resorts and expansions. Totaling more than $6 billion in development, more than 14,000 new accommodations will include a combination of hotel rooms, condos and residential retail property. More than 800,000-square-feet of additional meeting space will be included in this new development.

 

Floridays Resort Orlando will begin construction on Phase 2 of its condo-hotel development, which will include 400 new guest rooms and a new water park. The resort currently has 532 two- and three-bedroom grand suites; two swimming pools; a reception center with meeting facilities; game room; business center; fitness center; poolside bar and grille; and indoor cafe and market. www.floridaysresort.com. 321-329-4022.

 

One of three new Cambria Suites hotels planned for Orlando is on track to open by mid-2008, according to developer Roni Elias. The $27 million, seven-story hotel, to be located at 5350 International Drive, will have 184 rooms and boast deluxe amenities such as two 42-inch plasma televisions in each room and cordless phones. Room rates are expected to be in the $120 to $165 a night range. The Cambria brand, one of Choice Hotels International Inc.'s 10 economy hotel brands, which include Comfort Inn and Clarion, is positioned as a business hotel with luxury hotel rooms. www.choicehotels.com.

 

Two new Marriott hotels are planned for May 2009 for Central Florida Parkway near Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Waterpark. The properties will both have 200 rooms and include a six-story, 110,000-square-foot Fairfield Inn & Suites and six-story, 124,000-square-foot SpringHill Suites. Once complete, the hotels will share amenities including a swimming pool, fitness center and bar and grill. www.grovestreetpartners.com. 770-818-4190.

 

Hilton Hotels has broken ground on its 1400-room Hilton hotel located south of the Orange County Convention Center. The 18-story hotel, which sits on 26.4 acres, is expected to cost approximately $380 million and is scheduled to open in the summer of 2009. www.hiltonhotels.com.

 

Sheraton Vistana Villages: 195 units. Completed Summer 2007. www.starwoodvacationownership.com.

 

Ron Jon Surf Park: Projected completion: Summer 2008. www.ronjonsurfpark.com.

 

Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark: Opened in March 2008. www.aquaticabyseaworld.com.

 

Prime Outlets International: Phase 1 completed in the Fall of 2007. Phase 2 is projected for the Summer of 2008. www.primeoutlets.com.

 

The Point Orlando Resort: 144 units. Opened December 2007. www.thepointorlando.com.

 

Whole Foods Market: Project completion: 2008. www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

 

The Village of Imagine: 470 units. Projected completion: 2008. www.villageofimagine.com.

 

Vista Cay Resort by Pulte: 674 units. Projected completion: 2008. www.vistacay.com.

 

Lake Eve Resort: 176 rooms. Projected completion: Fall 2008. www.lakeeveresort.com.

 

Dr. P. Phillips Hospital: Projected completion: 2008/2009. www.orlandoregional.org.

 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts will open the ELEMENT Orlando Convention Center/International Drive. Inspired by Westin Hotels, the property will offer an extended stay experience. The hotel’s 137 rooms can be customized by guests and will feature a complete kitchen, Westin Heavenly Bed and oversized spa-inspired shower. Hotel amenities will include an integrated technology center and library. Projected opening date is August 2009. www.starwoodhotels.com. 800-937-8461.

 

Peabody Orlando Resort: 750 rooms. Projected completion: 2009. www.peabodyexpansion.com.

 

The Blue Rose Resort: 1300 rooms. Projected completion: 2009. www.thebluerose.com.

 

Palazzo del Lago by Intercontinental: 1215 hotel rooms/800 condos. Projected completion: 2009. www.palazzodellago.com.

 

Universal Studios Florida announced plans to construct a new roller coaster, “Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit,” which will open in spring 2009. The high-tech, multi-sensory experience will include audio and special effects with on- and off-board LED-screen videos to create a unique coaster experience. Guests will also have the option to customize their ride experience by choosing which song they will hear while they’re on the roller coaster and compiling it into a take-home music video when the ride is over. www.universalorlando.com. 407-363-8000.

 

Harry Potter at Universal Orlando: Projected completion: 2009/2010. www.universalorlando.com.

 

Amalfi: A 242-room, 16-story hotel, is planned for the former Mercado retail complex property. It will be part of a 340,000-square-foot (31,587-square-meter), mixed-use center, The Square, which will include restaurants, retail and entertainment. Amalfi will begin construction in 2008 and is slated for completion in 2010. www.unicorpdevelopment.com. 407-999-9985.

 

Citymark at Orlando: 500 hotel rooms/1300 condos. Projected completion: unknown. www.ebdevelopers.com.

 

Douglas Grand International: 800 hotel rooms/1,750 condos. Project completion: unknown. www.rjjpartnerships.com.

 

Grand National: 750 hotel rooms / 250 units. Projected completion: unknown. www.hargo.com.

 

The International Drive Resort Area is comprised of businesses, including more than 30,000 rooms that are within the boundaries of the International Drive Master Transit and Improvement District. The District was formed in 1992 under a public-private initiative with Orange County and the City of Orlando and is recognized as an outstanding example of co-operation between these three distinct entities that are jointly operated under this unique partnership by a governing board and an advisory board. The first district of its kind to be established in Florida, it has served as a prototype for other regions.

 

The District is responsible for operating the I-Ride Trolley System which provides exclusive transportation to the International Drive Resort Area businesses. The District also makes recommendations to local and state government agencies on matters relating to traffic congestion, enhancement of pedestrian safety and the overall mobility and security for the District. The District is also responsible for marketing and promoting the International Drive Resort Area as Orlando’s Most Dynamic Destination! www.InternationalDriveOrlando.com.

 

  

5/08