Skyplex

Skyplex

Concept art of the Skyplex complex
Location within Florida
General information
Type Entertainment complex
Location Northeast corner of Sand Lake Road & International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819
Coordinates 28°27′01″N 81°28′14″W / 28.450169°N 81.470658°W / 28.450169; -81.470658Coordinates: 28°27′01″N 81°28′14″W / 28.450169°N 81.470658°W / 28.450169; -81.470658
Opened 2019 [1]
Cost US$300,000,000
Owner Mango's Tropical Cafe
Technical details
Size 14 acres (5.7 ha)
Floor area 1,500,000 sq ft (140,000 m2)
Design and construction
Architecture firm Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock / Architects Inc.
Main contractor Winter Park Construction Company
Other information
Parking 2,400-car parking
Website
Website

Skyplex is an entertainment complex owned by Wallack Holdings LLC that is scheduled to open in 2019.[1] It will be located on a 14 acres (5.7 ha) lot the Northeast corner of Sand Lake Road and International Drive in Orlando, Florida. The complex will include a 570 feet (170 m) tower, which will feature the world's tallest roller coaster, Skyscraper, and the world's largest Perkins Restaurant and Bakery. It is expected to cost US$300,000,000, be 1,500,000 square feet (140,000 m2),[2] and include a 2,400-car parking with valet.[3][4][5]

History

Development began in 2012. After several successful negotiations for land to build the attraction, made under the name WF IDrive Realty, development of both the roller coaster and Skyplex began.[6][7] In May 2014, a website asking for investors to invest in the project was formed.[4][8][9]

Wallack Holdings LLC is also developing a US$50,000,000 Mango's Tropical Cafe, retail complex, and parking garage on the southwest corner of the intersection Skyplex will be located on.[2]

The complex was designed by Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock / Architects Inc. Winter Park Construction Company has been chosen as the general contractor. Euforria LLC will provide the pre-construction and construction management services.[2]

On December 1, 2015, the Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the project's rezoning.[10] The project faced lobbying against it by Save Our Orange County Community, a group backed primarily by Universal Orlando. Universal's main issue with the project was that the Skyscraper might ruin the sight lines from their parks, specifically from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the fact that Universal was not permitted to build anything over 200 feet (61 m).[11][12][13]

Attractions

Skyplex will feature Skyscraper, which when it opens will be the world's tallest roller coaster at over 500 feet (150 m). Development of Skyscraper began in 2012 after the Polercoaster concept from US Thrill Rides was selected as an attraction for the new complex.[6] Skyscraper was officially announced on June 5, 2014.[3][7] In February 2015, it was announced that a drop thrill ride called SkyFall would be incorporated into the design of Skyscraper.[5]

An adult game room will feature party rooms, a central bar, billiards, video games, and simulators. The family game area will feature traditional games, electronic games, and simulators. There will be a 1,000 feet (300 m) high speed competitive go-cart track, and a 250 feet (76 m) track designed for all ages.[4]

The Apex Sports Bar will include private party rooms, VIP seating, a Tequila bar, and large screen theatre style viewing of sports programs.[4]

The Skyplex Observation Deck will be 535 feet (163 m) high, and be accessible via what will be Florida's tallest glass elevator.[4]

There will be an open-air retail area promenade, SkyPlaza, with a raised pedestrian walking leading to the main entrance. SkyPlaza will be anchored by a 10,000 square feet (930 m2) Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, which when it opens will be the largest in the world. The promenade will include several other retail and restaurant tenants.[5][14]

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.i4exitguide.com/featured/skyplex-entertainment-project-now-underway/
  2. 1 2 3 Fluker, Anjali (June 25, 2014). "See who's been tapped to build Skyplex on I-Drive - Orlando Business Journal". Orlando Business Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Bevil, Dewayne (June 5, 2014). "World's tallest roller coaster planned for Orlando's I-Drive". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Skyscraper Skyplex". American Immigration Group LLC. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Bevil, Dewayne (March 4, 2015). "Giant Perkins added to Skyplex lineup". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "World's Tallest Rollercoaster and Entertainment Complex "The Skyscraper™ at SKYPLEX™" To Electrify Orlando Skyline in 2016". Mango's Tropical Cafe. June 5, 2014. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Dennis, Andrea (June 5, 2014). "World's tallest roller coaster 'Skyscraper' officially coming to I-Drive, will open in 2016". WESH. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  8. ↑ Fais, Scott (June 5, 2014). "Is this 500-foot-tall roller coaster coming to I-Drive?". News 13. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  9. ↑ Fox, Greg (May 31, 2014). "Polercoaster coming to Central Florida, sources say". WESH. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  10. ↑ Dineen, Caitlin. "Orange County Commission approves Skyplex Orlando". orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  11. ↑ Pedicini, Sandra. "Universal, citizens float anti-Skyplex mailers". OrlandoSentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  12. ↑ Pedicini, Sandra. "Skyplex battle puts Orlando-Universal relationship in spotlight". OrlandoSentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  13. ↑ Cordeiro, Monivette. "Universal Studios and 'concerned citizens' send out anti-Skyplex mailers". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  14. ↑ Fluker, Anjali (March 4, 2015). "I-Drive's $300M Skyplex to include open-air retail promenade - Orlando Business Journal". Orlando Business Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
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