Loading Animation

Unicorp reveals details on massive I-Drive masterplan

Unicorp reveals details on massive I-Drive masterplan

11.20.15 | Richard Bilbao

Bike trails, people sitting and enjoying nature, and a juggler entertaining tourists all in an open-air, high-rise entertainment and hotel district. This is what one of International Drive’s most prominent game changers has planned for the future of Orlando’s tourism corridor.

Chuck Whittall of Unicorp National Developments Inc. wants to revolutionize the less-than-a-mile stretch from the $200 million I-Drive 360 complex to Sand Lake Road into a massive hotel, retail and open-air destination. The plan was created with assistance from architectural team members with Wallack Holdings LLC, developers of the $460 million Skyplex project, at the request of Orange County.

A site plan shows Unicorp’s idea for potentially 13 new hotel towers with retail space surrounded by natural features like lakes, small parks and walkways, and a road system. The map also shows what Unicorp has planned for about 20 acres of land just east of the I-Drive 360 complex that could host three hotel towers, a large restaurant development, a theater and a massive water feature show that would be seen from the Orlando Eye.

Whittall was not available for comment, but has previously told Orlando Business Journal he envisioned that 20 acres of land — which he has yet to close on — could be home to entertainment that tourists could find in Las Vegas, without casinos. That includes nighttime entertainment and attracting shows and singers to perform there nightly.

Joshua Wallack of Wallack Holdings said he believes Unicorp’s vision is to build an outdoor restaurant area much like the dining experience that sits next to the iconic fountains outside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. This plays right into the district’s goal of breathing new life into the after-hours scene of the tourism corridor — a much-needed amenity for both leisure and convention visitors.

“He’s turning a sea of asphalt into a beautiful, walking paradise with green space and incredible atmosphere that fits exactly with what the county is envisioning,” he said. Also included in the plan is Whittall’s future 420-foot Starflyer project that is set to go before Orange County leaders Dec. 15 for approval. Wallack Holdings LLC’s Skyplex project, which is depicted on the map, is set to be heard by county leaders before then on Dec. 1.

While 13 new hotels seem like a lot, much of International Drive’s surrounding area is still very much undeveloped. That land, which has several plans in the works, is entitled for as many as 13,000 more hotel rooms yet to be built. In addition, the region’s nonstop growth in annual visitation — 62 million people last year — will need more hotel space to keep up with the growth.

“This is a joint collaboration to show what the I-Drive entertainment district can become. If we get it, it will be what Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs called ‘the dazzling entertainment district that would be the envy of the world,’ ” said Wallack, noting that together, the two developers will inject more than $1 billion into the new masterplan development and create thousands of new jobs. He also estimated the plan could be done within the next decade without any hiccups.

To be clear, the two companies are expected to handle their own projects — Wallack Holdings is building Skyplex and Mango’s Tropical Cafe, and Unicorp is building the block between Sand Lake Road and Via Mercado.

Stay tuned as this is a developing story.

×
×