What's New on I-Drive!

Orlando's tourism corridor: More than $4 billion of high-profile development planned for 2023 and beyond in the I-Drive Area 

 
ORLANDO, March 2nd, 2023 - I-Drive continues to increase its presence as a major player in Orlando's tourism industry. The past several years have brought significant changes to the I-Drive corridor: 
 
 
A look at what's happening in 2023:
 
Holiday Inn Orlando I-Drive and Convention Center, formerly known as Allure Hotel, was opened in January 2023 after being renovated and is a 7-story, 223 room property.
 
Roboland debuted at the former Bronze Kingdom, and offers an interactive and innovative robotic show, in January 2023. robolandorlando.com 
 
ICON Park, will offer a new interactive photo experience at The Wheel, The Great Florida Road Trip, which will follow the flamingo family on a photo travelogue vacation through mid-century Florida. The expected completion is early 2023. iconparkorlando.com
 
Dezerland Park Orlando, recently opened a new 800+ SF virtual reality arena with several immersive scenarios. Completion was February 2023. dezerlandpark.com
 
South I-Drive is getting 329 unit new upscale garden-style apartments which will be apart of the community Altis Grand at Lake Willis. The building will include fitness center and resort-style pool. Estimated completion is first quarter 2023. 
 
Cambria Suites formerly known as Vib Hotel Orlando is under construction on Visitors Circle. The project is a 65,130SF, 5-story, 120 room property. Bookings are expected to start March 2023. choicehotels.com  
 
The Pointe Orlando, will be gaining two new restaurants KAVAS Tacos + Tequila, a Mexican restaurant, kavastacos.com and JoJo's Shake BAR, focused on creative desserts, jojosshakebar.com both expected to open early 2023.
 
The Pointe Orlando will also be gaining two new attractions, Will to Escape, an immersive escape room experience, willtoescape.com, which was completed February 2023, and the Greens Indoor Golf & Bar, an indoor golf simulator, thegreensindoorgolf.com, set to open in 2023. The Pointe Orlando will also be adding a new photo experience, Earth Illuminated, offering over 40 unique photo scenes, set to up in March 2023. earthilluminated.com
 
Bainbridge Apartments are opening Bainbridge Sand Lake, a 100,000 SF multi-family apartment building with 4 stories, 330 units, a clubhouse and resort style pool. The expected completion of the project is 2023. bainbridgecompanies.com 
 
The Hollywood Plaza Garage,  will receive a new restaurant Tom's Watch Bar, an 11,000 SF sports bar concept from Smashburger founder Tom Ryan will soon be occupying the roof-top space in Hollywood Plaza parking garage. Estimated completion is 2023. tomswatchbar.com
 
Daskk Orlando Hotel near Universal Blvd. located at the former Quality Suites is expected to begin bookings in May 2023. choicehotels.com
 
SeaWorld recently announced plans to build a new coaster, Pipeline: The Surf Coaster in spring 2023, SeaWorld has said that it will be a one-of-a-kind ocean adventure.  
 
South I-Drive will be receiving another new apartment complex. Town Vineland Apartments, is a 396 unit luxury garden-style, multi-family development with sixteen 3-story buildings, a clubhouse, pool, 5 detached garages and 600 surface parking spaces. Estimated completion is spring 2023. 
townvineland.com
 
Hyatt House Orlando/ I-Drive is expected to start bookings in Summer 2023. hyatt.com 
 
Over at the Hyatt Regency Orlando the former Urban Tide restaurant was turned into Descend 21. It is a newly updated bar and lounge, with a terrace with fire pits, billiards and virtual golf. It was completed February 2023. hyatt.com
 
Universal Orlando will be welcoming Minions with the addition of a Minion land complete with a new cafe, Minion Cafe and attraction, Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast, which is inspired by the film franchises "Minions" and "Despicable Me" and is expected to open summer 2023. universalorlando.com
 
Vineland Pointe will be welcoming, Pinstripes, bistro, bocce, bowling, a 28,000 SF restaurant in early 2023 pinstripes.com and Torchy's Tacos, an Austin, Texas based taco chain is opening one of their first Florida locations in Vineland Pointe in summer 2023. torchystacos.com 
 
Vineland Pointe will also welcome a new multi-family complex, Altis Grand at Lake Willis, 329-units with private entrances, set to be complete in summer 2023. altislakewillis.com
 
2024 and Beyond:
 
Livano Grand National Apartments will be a 6.43 acre multi-family project consisting of 350 units spread over 3-apartment buildings and 1 multi-level parking garage. Expected completion is February 2024. livanograndnational.com
 
Las Vegas attraction, AREA15 is coming to Orlando in 2024. Located on the southeast corner of I-4 at the intersection of Lake Street and Regency Village Drive, a 300,000 SF immersive art experience and events center will be built. area15.com 
 
The Grand Bainbridge Universal Major Apartments located at the site of the old Mystery Fun House, will be a 13,700 SF new construction with 390 apartments. Expected completion is Q4 2024.
 
The Pointe Orlando will be getting three new attractions/restaurants from Live! Hospitality and Entertainment group. It will be a 36,000 SF immersive indoor and outdoor space featuring a trio of entertainment assets. Sports & Social, will be a restaurant focused on sports entertainment, live music and social games. PBR Cowboy Bar, is a professional bull riding bar with a mechanical bull, multiple signature bars, and VIP booths. Live! Plaza, will be the outdoor venue in between the two concepts serving as a gathering place for events and more, all of which are set to open in 2024. 
 
Bainbridge also has a new project in the works for south I-Drive, Bainbridge World Center Apartments. Phase 1 will include 342 units and construction is set to begin July 2022. Phase 2 will include 464 units. Expected completion date for phase 1 is 2024. bainbridgecompanies.com 
 
The $250M-$300M Kirkman Road Extension will be a 1.7-mile extension of south Kirkman Road. This is a public-private partnership with FDOT, Orange County, and Universal. The north-south stretch estimated completion is expected 2025. www.cflroads.co
 
I-4 at Daryl Carter Parkway Interim Interchange began construction in 2023 and will include three new ramps: two I-4 exit ramps from both directions, eastbound I-4 entrance ramp and will include converting the existing overpass to a diverging diamond interchange. Expected completion is fall 2025. www.cflroads.com
 
Universal Orlando Resort is building a new, fourth, theme park to be called Universal's Epic Universe. The park will also feature an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more. As of March 2021 construction was back underway, and it was announced that the park will be ready to open in 2025. universalorlando.com
 
I-Drive dedicated transit lanes from Sand Lake Road to the Beachline is scheduled to complete construction in Summer 2026. Approximately three miles of dedicated transit bus lanes from Sand Lake Road to the Beachline. New sidewalks, landscaping, and signage. orangecountyfl.net 
 
Awaiting details 
 
A new Marriott branded W Hotel will begin construction in Q4 2023 on Universal Blvd. and will consist of a 22-story tower hotel, 400-rooms and a 3,000 SF live music venue. Completion date is TBA w-hotels.marriott.com 
 
Lennar Homes has a new project being built entitled Storey Drive Resort. The mixed use development will include 516 single family vacation homes, condos and townhomes, multiple lakes, a community clubhouse with a resort style pool, lazy river, restaurant and water park.  Phase I includes 96 condominiums, 34 single family homes and 120 townhomes. Phase II includes 80 townhomes, 36 single family homes and 5 condominium lots. Vertical construction started in February 2022, and completion date is TBA. 
 
The International Festival Shopping plaza has started renovations with improvements to the existing building as well as new tenants, which will become the Olinda Center
 
International Drive's first food hall Steel Chef's Market, will have 53,000 SF of retail and restaurant space and will be made up of 26 shipping containers.
 
A developer has been chosen for the housing community, Housing for Tomorrow now named Catchlight Crossings, which will be built on donated land from Universal Orlando. The project is expected to break ground in April 2023, for phase 1 and will include 148 units. Construction for phase 2 is still TBA however will include an additional 1,000 units, 16,000 SF of retail space, a Bezos Montessori Academy, health care clinic and space for a University of Central Florida classroom.  housingfortomorrow.com
 
The Brightline Train is coming to Orlando and making a stop near Universal Boulevard. The Brightline/Sunshine Corridor Station is the proposed stop and possible Sun Rail link. It will be built on land donated by Universal. Estimated completion date TBA. orlandosrightrail.com 

Sand Lake Vista is also expecting to open four restaurant pads totaling 17,500 SF, a 30,000 SF self-storage structure and the future home of Paramount Urgent Care. 
 
Taking over the old Marriott Grand Pines Golf Club is the Paradiso Grande Resort Orlando, a 157 vacation home community to include townhomes and single-family vacation homes from 3 to 15 bedrooms. This will also feature a community clubhouse, resort-style pool with a lazy river and walking trails. Phase 2 is currently under construction with estimated completion is TBA. paradisograndehomes.com  
  
An apartment complex is currently in the works for north I-Drive, replacing the recently demolished M Hotel will be SLX Apartments by Del American Real Estate Group. This complex will be 8-stories, 329 units with a parking garage, four courtyards, and a 7,000 SF ground floor restaurant. Expected completion is TBA. 
  
On Daryl Carter Parkway, adjacent to the soon to be opened Altis Lake Willis, Altra Lake Willis will be built. It will consist of 230 units, a 24/7 fitness center, Starbucks cyber cafe, and a resort style heated pool. 
 
The interchange between Sand Lake Road and I-4 will be reimagined into a diverging diamond configuration to assist in creating better traffic flow.  The construction date details for this Sand Lake Road Interchange are still waiting to be announced at this time. i4beyond.com
 
Carrier Drive will be undergoing roadway improvements at Carrier Dr. / Universal Blvd. and Carrier Dr. / Kirkman Road. These include a mixed-use path along the south side of the roadways, landscaping and a possible roundabout. Right now the project is still in the design phase, and construction is expected to begin 2023. orlando.gov 
 
Tuscana PD is 273 acres of planned development on South International Drive. The plans are to develop the land for 653,400 SF of commercial land, 4,485 condo/hotel rooms and 5,114 multifamily units. Estimated completion date is TBA. 
  
I-Drive 2040 Vision Plan - Recognizing the importance of creating a shared vision for the International Drive Area, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs appointed a Steering Review Group (SRG) composed of I-Drive-area stakeholders and landowners who are committed to maintaining I-Drive as the world’s premier global destination for tourism and family entertainment. She envisioned a vibrant International Drive corridor that would be a dynamic gathering place for visitors and residents alike. See the plan here.
 
Quotes from I-Drive stakeholders and partners:
"I have had the opportunity to call the Rosen Inn International (formerly the Quality Inn International) located at 7600 International Drive, my home, from 1974 to 1990. Now spanning some 42 plus years as an owner-operator of multiple hotels in the district, one can only imagine the tremendous growth and development we have had the distinct privilege of being intimately involved with.
 
The International Drive district features our World Class Orange County Convention Center, dozens of spectacular hotels, fine dining, and numerous exciting entertainment venues. In addition, specialty retailers and an assortment of merchants can be found on virtually every street corner. We currently enjoy a robust marketplace thanks to our diverse base of visitors; tourists, conventioneers and locals.
 
I remain confident that we will continue to adapt to our ever changing environment and provide the finest service and hospitality anywhere in the world. I am extremely optimistic regarding future development in the district and remain poised to do my part to ensure that I-Drive remains a legendary destination."
Harris Rosen, President, Rosen Hotels & Resorts
 
"Unicorp National Developments sees a very big future with International Drive. And as we are currently the largest property owner on I-Drive with 77 acres, our plan is to redevelop much of this property to take advantage of the exciting, new, urbanism vision that has been approved for the I-Drive District. This will include hotels, restaurants and even more entertainment. Thousands of Orlando Eye riders experience the landscape of Central Florida from 400 feet each day and we are excited to be part of I-Drive and the growth and future of Orange County. This is where it all happens and we are thrilled to be part of it."
Chuck Whittall, President Unicorp Companies
 
“International Drive is the most burgeoning entertainment district in the world, and Orange County is in the process of implementing the ground-breaking I-Drive 2040 Vision that sets the tone for the District to continue to be the most visited leisure and convention market in the world. We look forward to the future as we work toward the opening this year of our 800-space parking garage complex with a rooftop restaurant and to the future opening of Skyplex."
Joshua Wallack of Wallack Holdings, COO Mango’s Tropical Café Orlando /Managing Principal, Skyplex
 
“AMP Group / Perfumeland was born and raised on International Drive starting with just a 1,200-square- foot perfume shop in the mid 90’s. As Perfumeland grew, so did our company with a number of new investments into the International Drive area culminating with the addition of the Orlando Crossings Mall and I-Drive NASCAR Indoor Kart Racing facility. Our company’s expansion is a direct result of the wonderful growth we have seen to Orlando and its tourism industry in the last few years. I-Drive has been a catalyst for the growth of our region. We are truly excited over the I-Drive 2040 Vision and what the future holds.”
Alejandro Pezzini, Chief Operating Officer, AMP Group
 
-30-
  
For additional information on the I-Drive area, visit www.InternationalDriveOrlando.com
 
Contact: Luann Brooks, Executive Director
International Drive Business Improvement District
www.IDriveDistrict.com
P: 407-248-9590
lbrooks@idrivedistrict.com
Orlando's Most Dynamic Destination!
 
Updated: March 2023