Skyplex
General information
StatusCancelled/Never built
CostUS$250 million
Technical details
Size<14 acres (5.7 ha)
Floor area1,500,000 sq ft (140,000 m2)
Other information
Parking2,400-car parking

Skyplex was a planned entertainment complex, [1] It was to be located on a 14-acre (5.7 ha) lot at the northeast corner of Sand Lake Road and International Drive in Orlando, Florida. Plans for the complex were to include a 570-foot (170 m) tower which would’ve featured the world's tallest roller coaster, Skyscraper, and the world's largest Perkins Restaurant and Bakery. In January 2019 the project was expected to cost US$250,000,000 and include space for a future hotel.[2][3][4][5][6] The complex was originally planned to open first in 2016. But pushed back to 2017, then 2018. The project was once again delayed to 2019, until the final delay to 2020. In 2020, Lionsgate was originally set to build the complex called Lionsgate World Resort Orlando, which was set to be constructed in early 2021 and was set to open in 2024. However, on December 21, 2022, US Thrill Rides and Polercoaster, LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On January 30, 2023, WPC (Winter Park Construction) confirmed that the project would not be moving forward, resulting the complex being cancelled.

History

The project began in 2012 with a planned budget of US$500,000,000.[2] After several successful land negotiations conducted under the name WF IDrive Realty, development of Skyplex and the roller coaster began.[7][8]

The complex was designed by Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects Inc. In May 2014, a website seeking investors was published.[5][9][10]

In 2015,[2] Wallack Holdings LLC spent US$50,000,000 to develop a retail complex, a parking garage, and a Mango's Tropical Cafe on the southwest corner of the same intersection as Skyplex.[3]

On December 1, 2015, the Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the project's rezoning.[11] The project was lobbied against by Save Our Orange County Community, a group backed primarily by Universal Orlando. Universal's main issues with the project were that the Skyscraper might ruin the sight lines from their parks (specifically The Wizarding World of Harry Potter), and that Universal itself was not permitted to build anything over 200 feet (61 m).[12][13][14]

Portions of the roller coaster's track had been completed by Intamin and were in storage by April 2017, but the start of construction in Orlando was on hold pending the approval of permits.[15]

In January 2019, it was announced that the project had been scaled back to US$250,000,000 and would only take up a portion of the planned 14-acre (57,000 m2) site, but that the size of the tower and 2020 opening date would remain unchanged.[2] The project was later removed from Mango's Tropical Cafe's website in June 2019. In 2021, Joshuah Wallack revealed that Wallack Holdings had signed a licensing deal with Lionsgate Entertainment to open Skyplex as a Lionsgate Entertainment World resort, but that the project had lost its financing in early 2020 as theme parks in Florida were being forced to closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] Wallack Holdings still held the licensing deal and Joshua Wallack said that while he still believed in the Skyplex concept, practical considerations had him considering other uses for the site such as a resort hotel to support the nearby upcoming Universal Epic Universe theme park.[16] On December 21, 2022, Polercoaster LLC and US Thrill Rides, the companies behind the project, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On January 30, 2023, WPC (Winter Park Construction) confirmed that the project would not be moving forward.

Planned attractions

Skyplex was to feature Skyscraper, which would’ve been 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.[7] Skyscraper was officially announced on June 5, 2014.[4][8] In February 2015, it was announced that a drop thrill ride called SkyFall was to be incorporated into the design of Skyscraper.[6]

An adult game room was to feature party rooms, a central bar, billiards, video games, and simulators. The family game area would’ve featured traditional games, electronic games, and simulators. There would’ve been a 1,000 feet (300 m) high speed competitive go-cart track, and a 250 feet (76 m) track designed for all ages.[5]

The Apex Sports Bar would’ve included private party rooms, VIP seating, a tequila bar, and large screen theatre style viewing of sports programs.[5]

The Skyplex Observation Deck would’ve been 535 feet (163 m) high, and was planned to be accessible via what was to be Florida's tallest glass elevator.[5]

There was to be an open-air retail area promenade, SkyPlaza, with a raised pedestrian walkway leading to the main entrance. SkyPlaza would’ve been anchored by a 10,000 square feet (930 m2) Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, which was to be the largest in the world. The promenade would’ve included several other retail and restaurant tenants.[6][17]

References

  1. ↑ "World's tallest roller coaster coming to Orlando". WOFL. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Pepperman, Kelly (January 10, 2019). "International Drive developer talks new coaster, more parking". Click Orlando. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Skyscraper Skyplex". American Immigration Group LLC. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Bevil, Dewayne (March 4, 2015). "Giant Perkins added to Skyplex lineup". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ Dineen, Caitlin (December 2015). "Orange County Commission approves Skyplex Orlando". orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  12. ↑ Pedicini, Sandra (November 20, 2015). "Universal, citizens float anti-Skyplex mailers". OrlandoSentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  13. ↑ Pedicini, Sandra (November 21, 2015). "Skyplex battle puts Orlando-Universal relationship in spotlight". OrlandoSentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ Cordeiro, Monivette. "Universal Studios and 'concerned citizens' send out anti-Skyplex mailers". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ Bilbao, Richard (April 17, 2017). "Joshua Wallack: Vertical construction on Hollywood Plaza will begin this week". Orlando Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  16. 1 2 Kinsler, Laura (August 31, 2021). "Wallack gets $16.4M lifeline grant for Mango's nightclubs, but COVID has him rethinking future of Skyplex project". GrowthSpotter. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  17. ↑ 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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