KISSIMMEE, Fla. — New designs for Ovation Orlando outline a shopping, dining and entertainment destination planned for the former Orlando Sun Resort site near Walt Disney World.
RSP Architects unveiled its master plan for the approximately 77-acre development at Interstate 4 and U.S. Highway 192. Developer Accesso is targeting a groundbreaking in the first quarter of 2027, according to the announcement.
READ: Orlando Sun Resort redevelopment moves forward in Osceola County
The latest plans call for approximately 650,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment, plus a 15-story, 350-room convention hotel.
Three distinct districts
RSP organized the development into three areas connected by an L-shaped pedestrian promenade:
- Garden: A waterfront area with tropical landscaping and outdoor dining
- Gallery: A hotel-centered district featuring art, technology and immersive experiences
- Vibe: An entertainment district with restaurants, live performances, digital media and nightlife
The design incorporates shade structures, landscaping, canopies and awnings to help protect visitors from sun and rain.
“Successful retail today is about much more than creating space for a transaction,” said David Herbert, an associate principal at RSP Architects.
Herbert said the design considers how visitors move through the property, how businesses gain visibility and what encourages people to stay.
Redeveloping the former resort
The project would transform the former Orlando Sun Resort property, less than a mile from Walt Disney World.
Channel 9 previously reported that Osceola County commissioners advanced a development agreement for the site in March 2025. Earlier concepts included different retail-space and hotel-room totals.
The latest announcement did not identify individual retail or restaurant tenants or provide an opening date.
More information about the design is available from RSP Architects.
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