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What's New on I-Drive!

Orlando's tourism corridor: More than $13 billion* of high-profile development planned for 2025 and beyond in the I-Drive Area 

 
ORLANDO, October 1, 2025 - 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: 
 
*$7 of the $13 billion in planned development is from Epic Universe.  
 
 
A look at what's happening in 2025:
Caribe Royale Orlando added 37,500 SF of convention space to their existing convention center during their phased renovation project. This project was completed in early 2025. cariberoyale.com
 
North I-Drive will welcome a new coffee shop, Juan Valdez, which is a multinational, Columbian coffee chain, completed January 2025.
 
Live! at the Pointe will introduce their newest entertainment space in 2025, Sal's Pizza. The Pointe will also be welcoming new tenants Dick's Last Resort, a southern style restaurant and bar chain known for its rowdy environment and gruff staffers it was completed in 2025. As well as, Taffer's Tavern, an elevated restaurant and bar concept from 'Bar Rescue' host Jon Taffer in 2025, and Activate Games, the world's first active gaming facility, completed in 2025. Later in the year they will welcome two more tenets, Sandbox VR, an immersive VR complex, which was completed in July 2025 and Zukka Sushi a innovative sushi restaurant, set to up later this year.
 
ICON Park will welcome a new dining concept, Sushi Saint, which will be housed in a 3,000 SF restaurant. Completion is 2025. ICON Park will also be welcoming Ripley's Crazy Golf, an indoor, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf experience, set to open in winter 2025.
 
South I-Drive will be receiving a 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. Completed 2025.
 
The $250M-$300M Kirkman Road Extension will be a 1.7-mile extension of south Kirkman Road with an elevated traffic circle and dedicated bus lanes. This is a public-private partnership with FDOT, Orange County, and Universal. The north-south stretch, and it was completed in 2025. www.cflroads.com
 
Universal Orlando Resort is building a new, fourth, theme park to be called Universal Epic Universe. The park will also feature an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more. Hotel rooms will total 2,000 rooms and will include: Universal Stella Nova, 750 rooms, Universal Terra Luna, 750 rooms and Universal Helios Grand, 500 rooms. This state-of-the-art theme park opened in May 2025. universalorlando.com
 
SeaWorld Orlando introduced a new attraction in spring 2025, Expedition Odyssey, will be the World's first-of-its kind fully immersive flying theater transporting guest to the Artic.
 
Orlando Crossings will welcome another new tenant in 2025, Hocca Bar, a Brazil-based restaurant chain.
 
The Olinda Center welcomed a new tenant, Eskina, a Brazilian restaurant in 2025. eskinaorlando.com 
 
Villatel Orlando Resort is a 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. Villatel has started a phased opening with the first phase completed in fall 2023 and full completion in 2025. Villatel.com
 
Grand National Drive will be undergoing roadway improvements, which will include widening from Oak Ridge Rd to Vanguard St to four lanes. It will also include new street lighting and pedestrian improvements. Completed in 2025. orlando.gov
 
Fun Spot will be constructing two new rides, Mach Fun, a 50ft tower ride and a new kiddie Teacup ride. Completion is 2025 for both.
 
Carrier Drive underwent 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 roundabout. This project was completed in 2025. orlando.gov 
 
Nikkita, replaced the former Hanamizuki, as a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant, it was completed in 2025.  
 
To meet surging demand, the newly opened Corazon by Baires will be adding a 4,000SF dining room, Kali Dining Room, to accommodate more guests. This will be completed in May of 2025. 
 
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 2025. bainbridgecompanies.com 

Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe, a smoothie and juice bar concept, completed its first Florida location in 2025. boraborausa.com
 
North I-Drive welcomed a new arcade and restaurant, Arcade Time, completed in 2025. 
 
The Orange County Convention Center will begin building a new 3,000SF tasting room. Completion will be 2025.
 
South I-Drive will soon be home to a new apartment complex Grande Pointe Apartments will be a five-story multifamily complex with 225 units, an attached parking garage and rooftop amenity deck. Completion is 2025.  
 
Bainbridge The Grand located at the site of the old Mystery Fun House, will be a 13,700 SF new construction with 390 apartments. Phased opening will being August 2024, and it was completed in 2025. bainbridgethegrand.com
 
The Pointe Orlando welcomed six new venues from Live! Hospitality and Entertainment group. It will be a 36,000 SF immersive indoor and outdoor space featuring many new 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! will also include the Houndsmen English Lounge, a craft cocktail lounge, Shark Bar, an endless summer themed bar, Palm Tree Club, a miami-themed upscale bar and Sal's Pizza, a late night pizza restaurant. All Live! at the Pointe venues will be opening in 2024. The Pointe Orlando welcomed a new retro candy and soda shop, in 2024, Rocket Fizz. PointeOrlando.com
 
A new Chipotle Mexican Grill will be coming to Lake Cay Commons, with a 2,000 SF drive-thru restaurant. It was completed early 2025.
 
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, and was completed in 2025. www.cflroads.com 
 
Target at Vineland Pointe added 52,460 SF to the existing store with their expansion, completed in 2025. 
 
Vineland Pointe will new welcoming three new tenants, The Salty, a artisanal donut shoppe and coffee bar, which was completed in September 2025. saltydonut.com. Cava, a Mediterranean, fast casual restaurant chain and Bath and Body Works, a popular retail chain, will be opening in 2025.  
 
2026 and Beyond:
 
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 
 
The former Wyndham site will be getting a two-acre sport and entertainment complex, Society Park, which will boost two restaurants, nine paddle courts, shopping, a spa and entertainment. Estimated completion is April 2026.  
 
ICON Park will be constructing a new, 28,833 SF, 589-seat entertainment venue, located at the base of the Orlando Eye, which will be home to the Blue Man Group's new show. Completion is early 2026.
 
SeaWorld will be launching a new ride, SeaQuest: Legends of the Deep, which takes riders into the depths of the ocean on board a state-of-the-art submersible in this suspended dark ride. Completion is spring 2026.  
 
ICON Park and Build-A-Bear Workshop will also be constructing a new 31,000SF, 3-story state-of-the-art flagship story, located between the Orlando Sling Shot and Ole Red. Completion is summer 2026. 
 
ICON Park will also welcome, Arte Museum, an immersive digital art museum with floor-to-ceiling displays and projection mapping technology. Completion is 2027. 
 
Even Hotels and StayBridge Suites will join Universal Blvd. with a 7-story, 288-room, dual branded hotel, on 4.5 acres. Completion is 2026.  
 
Tiger Woods' mini golf and dining complex, PopStroke will be coming to International Drive. The 5-acre complex will have two 18-hole mini golf courses and two restaurants. Completion is 2026. 
 
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 late 2023, and will include an additional 1,000 units, 16,000 SF of retail space, a Bezos Montessori Academy, health care clinic, a transportation station and space for a University of Central Florida classroom. This project will begin a phased opening in 2026. housingfortomorrow.com 
 
The interchange between Sand Lake Road and I-4 will be reimagined into a diverging diamond configuration to assist in creating better traffic flow. Construction will also include reconstructing the general I-4 lanes as well as adding a barrier separated express lane from Sand Lake Rd to Epcot Center Dr. Construction is estimated to be complete by 2027. i4beyond.com 
 
The former Wyndham Orlando will be demolished in the next coming months to make way for new hotels including the InterContinental Orlando Hotel, a 784 room hotel with 5 restaurants, 15,000 SF spa, wellness center and pool, and 106,000 SF of meeting space. Completion for this hotel is 2028.
 
The Orange County Convention Center will be finishing their 5A Expansion plan in the coming years, with the addition of 40,000 SF meeting spaces, 100,000 SF ballroom and the Convention Center Way Grand Concourse in the North-South Building. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 with completion in 2029. occc.net/expansion 
 
Tradeshow Boulevard will be receiving some improvements i early 2027, including widening from 2 lanes to 4 lanes from Universal Blvd. to Destination Pkwy. The project will also include 2 transit lanes, and a multi-use path on both sides of the road for pedestrians and cyclist. Improvements will also be made to lighting, landscape and signalization. Expected completion is early 2029.  orangecountyfl.net
 
Awaiting details 
Phase 2 of Dezerland Apartment's, Revel Apartments, has begun construction which will add an additional 365 units to their portfolio is estimated to be complete in TBA. 
 
Sushi Kingdom, an all you can eat sushi restaurant, will be replacing the former Flapjack Johnny's on Westwood Blvd. completion is TBA. 
 
Pointe Orlando will be welcoming, Museum of Ice Cream, and immersive, multi-sensory ice cream attraction. Completion is TBA. 
 
The former TGI Fridays will be replaced with a Portillo's, a fast food chain specializing in Chicago-style foods. Completion is TBA. 
 
Bear Hug Brewing will be replacing George's Music with a microbrewery and tasting room. Completion is TBA. 
 
North I-Drive will be getting a 303,372 SF. 300-room hotel tower, GZ Universal Tower. More details to come with the expected completion TBA. 
 
Universal Blvd. will welcome White Castle, a 5,000 SF quick service hamburger restaurant. Estimated completion is TBA.  
 
The former Magical Midway, is being redeveloped and will bring two new restaurant pads to North I-Drive. Completion as well as the tenants are yet to be known.  
 
43W Townhomes at Westwood will bring 31 new townhomes to South I-Drive, with a community clubhouse, gym and pool. Completion is TBA. 
 
South I-Drive will be receiving a new apartment complex, Davis Vistana Apartments, will have 6 buildings, 4-story each with 400 units total. Completion is TBA.
  
Raising Cane's is furthering its Orlando presence with a 3,619 SF drive-thru on International Drive, replacing the former Friendly's. Completion is TBA. raisingcanes.com
 
South I-Drive will also welcome a new Extended Stay America, with 138-rooms. Expected completion is TBA. 
 
The Hollywood Plaza Garage will soon be home to Baires Grill, a Miami-based Argentinean steakhouse, located in the former Mooyah. Completion is TBA. bairesgrill.com  
  
South I-Drive will soon be home to a new extended stay hotel brand, Everhome Suites by Choice Hotels. This will be a 6-story, 109 room extended stay hotel and completion is TBA.  everhomesuites.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 
 
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  
 
Universal Blvd. will welcome a new hotel, the Grand Hyatt Orlando, a luxury resort, on 45-acres, developed in multiple phases, with the first phase having 1,200- 1,300 rooms and ending with a grand total of 2,500 rooms. This resort will be located adjacent to the Hyatt Regency.  
 
Cambria Hotel by Choice Hotels will be adding another I-Drive location, this time south I-Drive. The hotel will be a prototypical design Cambria Hotel, which consist of 4-story and 151 rooms. Completion is TBA.
 
South I-Drive will also be getting a pair of Home2 Suites by Hilton. Each hotel will be 139-rooms and will have an
outdoor amenity area and surface parking. Completion is TBA. home2suites.com
 
South I-Drive will be welcoming a new 40,000 SF entertainment complex, Senso Beach Club, complete with two pools, multiple bars and a roof top area, estimated completion is TBA. sensobeachclub.com
 
SeaWorld Orlando will be moving forward with their plans to build 2 themed hotels. The first which will be located at International Drive and Central FL Parkway will be a 15-story, 504-room hotel, with conference center, ballroom and a walkway to the theme park. Completion is TBA. seaworldorlando.com The second hotel will be located at Discovery Cove and will be a 250-room hotel with a spa, meeting spaces and a large amenity area. Completion is TBA.  
 
A new Marriott branded W Hotel on Universal Blvd. 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  
 
  
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.
 
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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: October 2025