Meet the new kid on the block: I-Drive 360

Thirty-one days.

The countdown is on for the opening of the $200 million I-Drive 360 project that Chuck Whittall, president of Unicorp National Developments, started in 2013 and is set to open on May 4.

It’s hard to miss the development now, as it’s one of the newest and most-prominent spots on International Drive — not to mention its giant observation wheel that’s visible from miles away. Each day, tourists wander throughout the center looking at the storefronts under construction, asking anyone on-site when it will open — even us, when we visited to do this feature.

On opening day, the center will cater to Orlando’s 60 million visitors via Merlin Entertainments Plc.’s 400-foot-tall Orlando Eye observation wheel, Madame Tussauds Orlando wax museum and Sea Life Aquarium Orlando. Merlin’s attractions building also will serve as the Orlando hub for connecting tourists to Legoland Florida in Winter Haven, a Merlin Entertainments theme park.

In addition, the complex will host several restaurants, shops and entertainment venues new to Central Florida, including Skeletons: Animals Unveiled museum, iCafe de Paris, Sugar Factory restaurant and upscale candy shop, Tin Roof live music bar, Cowgirls Rockbar Orlando country western bar, Paramount Fine Foods, Naru Restaurant & Sushi Bar and Tapa Toro, in addition to some favorites that also can be found elsewhere in the region.

Twice a day, the complex will showcase a $1.5 million water show set to music and color-changing lights. In addition, the complex will offer free parking in its 1,600-space garage, which is near many other tourist attractions like King’sBowling, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show and Pointe Orlando.