ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando city commissioners approved plans for a $500 million entertainment complex Monday that will be built downtown across the street from the Kia Center.

What You Need To Know

  • Orlando City Council to vote on future of $500 million entertainment complex

  • The project would include a hotel, retail space, housing and parking

  • This project would sit on about 8.5 acres of land

There are plans for a major hotel, retail space, event venue and two big housing and parking projects.

The vacant property is generally located north of west Church Street, and the development will allow for a mixed project of varying heights up to 27 stories consisting of 261 hotel rooms, 781 multifamily dwelling units, with city officials saying more than 1,000 parking spots included in the project’s design.

“What you would see in this project is over $500 million of new development in downtown Orlando. Specifically, in our Parramore area, so we’re really excited about that,” said David Barilla, executive director of the Orlando Downtown Development Board & Community Redevelopment Agency

He said the project would take a lot of time to complete.

“If you’re trying to boil that down to a timeframe. We are hopeful next year. And deliver early phases of that project in 2027,” said Barilla.

According to project developers, construction is set to begin in late 2024 and create around 3,400 jobs once complete.

“We are excited to move on to the development phase of the sports and entertainment district,” said David Carlock, founder of Machete Group, Inc. “The city has been a tremendous partner to us since the start of the process and we are looking forward to developing a vibrant new place in downtown Orlando.”

The live venue will also host concerts and shows that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests in a banquet configuration.

This project would sit on about 8.5 acres of land.