Unicorp’s Chuck Whittall plans convention hotel, more on I-Drive

Unicorp National Developments Inc.’s master plan for International Drive calls for the possibility of up to 13 new hotels, but don’t expect all to be the same size.

Unicorp’s President Chuck Whittall told Orlando Business Journal that the hotel properties depicted on the master plan will range in size and scope, as well as how they are themed and used.

“We think we will do a large convention hotel, then several smaller hotels, and then we would do another large hotel that is more of a tourist attraction hotel,” Whittall said.

Most of those details have yet to be determined, but Whittall said the attraction hotel most likely will be new hotel towers next to the Orlando Eye. He also mentioned other hotel growth plans would include building a new 1,000-room tower at the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive.

During a Nov. 20 I-Drive meeting, Whittall confirmed he has received calls from two hotel companies interested in his plan. He did not disclose the companies.

The International Drive and Sand Lake Road area has become a booming area of proposed investment. The $200 million I-Drive 360 project is the first part of several new additions, including the proposed $500 million Skyplex project and the new Mango’s Tropical Cafe Orlando set to open later this year.