Skyplex

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Skyplex
Skyplex 2015.jpg
Concept art of the Skyplex complex
Skyplex is located in Florida
Skyplex
Location within Florida
General information
TypeEntertainment complex
LocationNortheast corner of Sand Lake Road & International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819
Coordinates28°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
OpeningUnknown
CostUS$250 million
OwnerUnknown
Technical details
Size<14 acres (5.7 ha)
Floor area1,500,000 sq ft (140,000 m2)
Design and construction
Architecture firmUnknown
Main contractorUnknown
Other information
Number of storesUnknown
Number of anchorsUnknown
Parking2,400-car parking

Skyplex is a planned entertainment complex developed by Wallack Holdings LLC.[1] It would 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 include a 570-foot (170 m) tower which would feature 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 2018, then in 2019 and 2020. However, it kept getting pushed back multiple times for unknown reasons. As of 2021, the project is in limbo and it is unclear whether or not the complex will be built.[citation needed]

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. Winter Park Construction Company was chosen as the general contractor. Euforria LLC provided the pre-construction and construction management services.[3] 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] However, Wallack Holdings LLC started losing capital and investors began to have doubts in Wallack's ability to run the company.[citation needed] Due to multiple delays, the project was later removed from Mango's Tropical Cafe's website in June 2019 and has been in limbo throughout 2020. As of 2021, it is unknown whether or not construction will begin.[citation needed]

Planned attractions[]

See also: Skyscraper (roller coaster)

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

An adult game room would feature party rooms, a central bar, billiards, video games, and simulators. The family game area would feature traditional games, electronic games, and simulators. There would be 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 include private party rooms, VIP seating, a tequila bar, and large screen theatre style viewing of sports programs.[5]

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

There would be an open-air retail area promenade, SkyPlaza, with a raised pedestrian walkway leading to the main entrance. SkyPlaza would be anchored by a 10,000 square feet (930 m2) Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, which would be the largest in the world. The promenade would’ve include several other retail and restaurant tenants.[6][16]

References[]

  1. ^ "World's tallest roller coaster coming to Orlando". WOFL. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Pepperman, Kelly (January 10, 2019). "International Drive developer talks new coaster, more parking". Click Orlando. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c 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. ^ Jump up to: a b 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. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Skyscraper Skyplex". American Immigration Group LLC. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c Bevil, Dewayne (March 4, 2015). "Giant Perkins added to Skyplex lineup". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "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. ^ Jump up to: a b 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. "Orange County Commission approves Skyplex Orlando". orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  12. ^ Pedicini, Sandra. "Universal, citizens float anti-Skyplex mailers". OrlandoSentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  13. ^ Pedicini, Sandra. "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. ^ 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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