The Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex is a highly anticipated development project in Downtown Orlando, Florida. The complex will be located adjacent to the Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic basketball team. It is expected to become a hub of entertainment, dining, and nightlife in the area. The complex will span across approximately eight acres of land and will feature a variety of establishments, including restaurants, bars, retail shops, and entertainment venues. It aims to create a vibrant atmosphere where visitors can enjoy a wide range of experiences. One of the key attractions of the Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex will be an outdoor plaza that will serve as a gathering space for events, concerts, and other performances.
Orlando’s 8.4-Acre Sports and Entertainment District Set To Break Ground Soon
An ambitious new addition to Orlando’s downtown skyline is primed for construction. The Sports and Entertainment District (S+ED), a project conceived by the Orlando Magic and brought to life by architect Baker Barrios, is teetering on the cusp of inception, marking a significant milestone in a development journey that started in 2011. The district will be developed north of the Amway Center, bound by West Church Street on the south, South Hughey Avenue and Florida’s Interstate 4 on the east, West Central Boulevard on the north, and South Divison Avenue on the west.
The multifaceted design of the S+ED project sprawls across an expansive 8.4-acre footprint, seamlessly integrating commercial, residential, and office spaces. This blend translates into a self-contained urban lifestyle destination, stimulating the city’s socio-economic pulse.
Sports and Entertainment District – Orlando. Credit: Baker Barrios.
Key elements of the project include a 276-unit hotel complete with a deck bar; a versatile 67,183 square-foot entertainment venue; an 18-story office building with a total of 397,900 square feet; a 140,000 square-foot residential building housing 286 units; and a retail hub spanning 104,670 square feet of space.
Sports and Entertainment District – Orlando. Credit: Baker Barrios.
Adding to its wide array of amenities, the S+ED will also feature a 292-space parking garage and a 1,769-space public parking facility. Including several restaurants and a bowling alley further accentuates the development’s emphasis on leisure and entertainment.
Sports and Entertainment District – Orlando. Credit: Baker Barrios.
While the exact timelines are yet to be finalized, Esu Ma’at, Orlando Magic’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, suggests construction may begin early this summer. Echoing this optimism, team spokesman Joel Glass confirmed that ground-breaking activities are slated for “later this calendar year.”
Sports and Entertainment District – Orlando. Credit: Baker Barrios.
While the contractor details remain undisclosed, previous estimates from Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins project a mid-2025 completion, with total expenditure likely to cross the $500 million mark.
Baker Barrios, the local architectural powerhouse behind The Social and the Radius Apartments, will be steering the architectural and master planning services for this transformative project.
Upon completion, the Sports and Entertainment District is set to redefine Orlando’s socio-economic dynamics, sparking job creation, fostering new business growth, and enriching the city’s cultural fabric. As such, this monumental project marks a significant stride in downtown Orlando’s ongoing urban transformation.
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First look at proposed Downtown Orlando Sports and Entertainment District
Late breaking news events and top stories of the day are updated by the FOX 35 Nightly News Team along with the latest weather and tomorrow's forecast.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Plans for a huge sports and entertainment district in downtown Orlando would include a hotel, meeting and conference rooms, apartments, shops, and a concert venue, according to concept renderings of the possible future project.
The development would be located on what is now a vacant lot that was once home to Orlando’s police headquarters, at W. Church Street and S. Hughey Avenue, next to the Amway Center.
On Tuesday, officials announced that JMA Ventures and Machete Group had joined SED Development, LLC, and the Orlando Magic to spearhead the project.
JMA Ventures is a commercial real-estate and investment firm that also helped develop Downtown Commons, a mixed-use development next to the Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings, in California. Machete Group develops and manages sports and entertainment venues, including Amway Center.
If approved and ultimately built, here is what the downtown Orlando sports and entertainment district is expected to include:
- 260-room hotel
- 16,000-square-feet of meeting and conference space
- 270 residential units
- 200,000-square-feet of Class A office space
- 125,000-square-feet of retail space
- 3,500-seat live event venue
- Urban town square
- More than 1,100 parking spaces
"Central Florida is a fantastic market for this type of mixed-use development, and this project will further energize downtown Orlando. We look forward to working with the Orlando community to bring the sports and entertainment district to life," said Todd Chapman, CEO of JMA Ventures, in a prepared statement.
It was not immediately clear when construction could begin or when the development is expected to be completed. FOX 35 requested an interview with the developers, but a representative told us the developers were unavailable on Tuesday.
"It kinda looks like a resort," said Blue Jorquera, looking over the renderings. "Looks like something you’d see at Universal."
Adjacent to Amway Center, plenty of Orlando Magic fans would pass it heading to games. Big-time fan, Charles Kwarteng, said he is ready for the blue tarps to disappear.
"It’s kinda like the eyesore on I-4, just ready to get rid of it," Kwarteng said. "Obviously, do something with it; it’s great parking next to the arena, but I feel like there’s stuff we can do here."
The proposed view would beat the current one, said Bobby Markham.
"It looks alright, I think it’ll be cool for business around the area for sure," Markham said, while his wife, Rebecca, was more on the fence. "It kind of makes everything in the middle kind of dwarfed," she said.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer was unavailable for an interview on Tuesday, but a statement from his office reads:
"The development of this catalytic site has long been a vision of the city’s as part of our continued revitalization of downtown and Parramore. We look forward to seeing this project move forward to create jobs and economic impact for our community while furthering our goal of creating more diverse amenities for our downtown neighborhood."
According to a representative with the city of Orlando, no applications have been filed yet in regard to planning and permits.
Development team announced for upcoming sports & entertainment district next to Amway Center
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic and the Downtown Orlando Sports and Entertainment District announced JMA Ventures, LLC and Machete Group, Inc. as the development team for the sports and entertainment district set to be built next to the Amway Center in downtown Orlando.
“JMA Ventures and Machete Group are simply the best of the best. We are thrilled to have them take the reins and guide the sports and entertainment district into something Orlando will be proud to have in the heart of downtown,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins.
The project is projected to include a 260-room full-service hotel with 16,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, 270 residential units, 200,000 square feet of Class A office space.
Along with all the living and working facilities the project is also expected to include 125,000 square feet of retail, a 3,500-capacity live event venue, an urban town square, and more than 1,100 parking spaces.
“Central Florida is a fantastic market for this type of mixed-use development, and this project will further energize downtown Orlando. We look forward to working with the Orlando community to bring the sports and entertainment district to life,” said JMA Ventures CEO Todd Chapman.
Video: Development team announced for upcoming sports & entertainment district next to Amway Center The project is projected to include a 260-room full-service hotel with 16,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, 270 residential units, 200,000 square (WFTV)
MA Ventures developed Downtown Commons, a 1,000,000-square-foot mixed-use development adjacent to Golden 1 Center, home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
The Machete Group helped in the development of the Amway Center.
The project is expected to break ground by the end of 2024.
Development team announced for upcoming sports & entertainment district next to Amway Center
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One of the key attractions of the Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex will be an outdoor plaza that will serve as a gathering space for events, concerts, and other performances. This plaza will be designed to accommodate large crowds and will offer a unique outdoor experience for visitors. The complex will also feature a state-of-the-art entertainment venue that will host concerts, theater productions, and other live performances.
This venue will be a great addition to the city's entertainment scene and will attract both local residents and tourists. In addition to the entertainment options, the Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex will also include a variety of dining options. From casual eateries to upscale restaurants, visitors will have plenty of choices to satisfy their cravings. The complex will also feature outdoor seating areas and rooftop bars, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather while dining or enjoying a drink. Furthermore, the Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex will contribute to the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Orlando. The project will create job opportunities and attract more visitors to the area, benefiting the local economy. It will also enhance the overall experience for those attending events and games at the Amway Center. Overall, the Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex is set to become a premier destination for entertainment and leisure in Downtown Orlando. With its diverse offerings and prime location, it will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the city's entertainment scene and attract visitors from near and far..
Reviews for "Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex: The Ultimate Family Destination"
1. John - 2 stars:
I was really disappointed with the Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex. The attractions were limited and not very exciting. The food options were overpriced and lacked variety. The overall atmosphere was underwhelming, and I didn't feel like I got my money's worth. I would not recommend this place for a fun day out.
2. Sarah - 3 stars:
The Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex was just average for me. Although the facilities were clean, the entertainment options were lacking. The shows were mediocre and the theme park rides were nothing special. It seemed like a half-hearted attempt at creating a vibrant and thrilling entertainment destination. If you're looking for something truly exciting, I suggest exploring other options in Orlando.
3. Mike - 2.5 stars:
I had high expectations for the Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex, but I left feeling quite disappointed. The activities offered were not well-maintained and seemed outdated. The staff did not seem enthusiastic about their jobs, which affected the overall experience. It was far from being a world-class entertainment venue and did not live up to the hype. I would suggest looking for alternative options in the area for a more fulfilling entertainment experience.