Four Seasons Disney World Resort Back to Life

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(ORLANDO, FL) -- The long anticipated Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World Resort is back on the table.

After being shelved for more than three years, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts officially announced this week the $360 million resort is finally coming to the Orlando market at a prime piece of property inside Walt Disney World. Four Seasons expects to open its second property in Florida by mid or late 2014.

It will be the third Four Seasons Resort in Florida (Miami and Palm Beach are the other locations). Four Seasons had originally planned to build an Orlando-area resort at Celebration, the acclaimed mixed-use master-planned community created by Disney about five minutes from Walt Disney World, but Four Seasons never went through with that proposal.

Four Seasons finally moved forward with its Orlando project after securing a partnership with New York-based real estate developer Silverstein Properties and New York-based private equity group Dune Real Estate Partners.

Construction on the 440-room resort, which will be the largest Four Seasons resort in the world, is scheduled to begin in December. Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels acquired the land from Disney in August 2008, and will retain a 30 percent ownership interest in the project in addition to operating the resort.

The property, located in the northeast portion of Disney World, includes the highly acclaimed Tom Fazio-designed Osprey Ridge Golf Course.

"Four Seasons had the unique opportunity to purchase a fantastic site at the Walt Disney World Resort," says Kathleen Taylor, president and chief executive officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "Then, we partnered with Silverstein and Dune, some of the world's most astute players in real estate to develop the project, which enabled financial commitments to be secured and the project to move forward. We are also delighted to work with The Walt Disney Company, which shares our vision for a family vacation experience unlike any other."

Four Seasons has been working closely with New York-based Silverstein Properties, one of the nation's most respected real estate development, ownership and management organizations, since July 2009. Silverstein advanced the design and master plan for the new resort in consultation with Four Seasons, including acquiring necessary approvals, assembling and directing architectural and engineering teams, and negotiating the construction contract with Turner Construction. This effort enabled financing to be secured, according to Four Seasons.

When completed, the Four Seasons Orlando development will feature 444 rooms and up to 40 Four Seasons Residence Club units and up to 90 Four Seasons Private Residences. Within the resort will be several dining venues including a rooftop restaurant with Magic Kingdom views; a 14,000 square foot spa with 18 treatment rooms; a fitness center; three pools and a lazy river; sports facilities including tennis courts, basketball court and climbing wall; two recreational centers for children, teens and families; and approximately 37,750 square feet of meeting and event space.

The development will encompass the existing Osprey Ridge golf course, which will be renovated and subsequently managed by Four Seasons. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is located within the newly launched Golden Oak residential community, an exclusive private gated community created and master-planned by Disney.

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Pebble Creek Golf Resort Undergoes More Course Renovation Work

(GOODYEAR, AZ) -- Pebble Creek Golf Resort, a Robson Resort Communities development near Phoenix, Ariz.,  recently completed some major golf course renovation projects.

According to director of golf course maintenance Paul McGinnis, the active adult community worked with Pro Turf International to provide upgrades in various aspects of the 45 holes of golf at Pebble Creek, including the restoration of all the greenside bunkers on two 18-hole courses. Pebble Creek also leveled several tee boxes and added two newly enhanced practice tees. 

It was the sixth year in a row Pebble Creek has invested in its golf course assets. The work was completed in time for the fall season.

Pebble Creek has been voted one of the top 100 master planned communities in the country by "Where to Retire" magazine.  Besides its golf courses, Pebble Creek has two community country clubs for a plethora of activities:  Tuscany Country Club, which features a Performance Arts Theater, a Creative Arts Center, Sports & Aquatics Complex and sports courts; and Eagle's Nest Country Club, which offers a clubhouse, pool, lap pool and whirlpool, fitness center, tennis complex (including stadium & clay courts), pro shop, a softball field, activity rooms and more.

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