Dr. Phillips Center Unveils Next Phase of 9-Acre Campus Masterplan
ORLANDO, FL (June 16, 2023) – True to the original plan of developing the 9-acre campus, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts seeks to build Phase 3, a reimagined masterplan buildout of the front plaza, side and back parcels. With this next phase of development, the arts center continues the journey to build a civic & economic anchor, a community gathering space and a global destination that is active almost every day of the year. The completion of
Phase 3 is expected to attract an additional 1,000,000 unique visitations annually, provide great experiences and continue to contribute economic impacts to our region all year long. Phase 3 will feature an outdoor performance auditorium that hosts 5,000-7,000 guests, a 12,000-14,000-square-foot immersive performance venue, a 10,000-square-foot event, banquet & exhibition space and a 750-seat theater. This will be in addition to amenities, such as a music & arts garden, a destination restaurant & café and roof garden restaurant, which will be collectively programmed with multiple types of performances and 1,000 free events annually.
“It’s an exciting time at the arts center as we continue the journey to complete the 9-acre campus. We have an opportunity to enhance our region’s global destination which attracts international, national and local artists and guests. This will be another engaging visitor and community cultural amenity for hundreds of years to come,” said Kathy Ramsberger, president & CEO of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
“In 2018, we made the decision to revisit the use of the front parcels and consider a community amenity rather than a commercial development,” said Ed Timberlake, chairman of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. “With this new design, the future of our region as a cultural destination continues to grow and thrive.”
Phase 3 is projected to cost $175 million, pending no significant delays or cost escalations. The arts center is seeking $145 million from Tourist Development Tax (TDT) due to the breadth of the project and the national and international appeal it brings, in addition to requesting $15 million from the City of Orlando/CRA. With a reliable fundraising history of raising $215 million to date through a 17,000+ donor base, Dr. Phillips Center commits to contributing $15 million through philanthropy and sponsorships for capital. The arts center will continue to be responsible for operating and maintaining the full 9-acre campus at a cost estimated at $11.5 million annually, which over time will match and exceed the TDT contribution.
“I began chairing the arts center’s masterplan council in 2018,” said Craig Ustler, president of Ustler Development, INC and Dr. Phillips Center board member. “We started with focus groups in addition to discussions with the city, and from the beginning, I knew this project would be a region-defining, community asset and significant attraction to our spectacular destination.”
Planning for Phase 3 is in process. The project can be construction ready within 14-18 months after funding is secured. Operations may commence as early as 2027.
Dr. Phillips Center opened Phase 1 in November 2014 with Walt Disney Theater, Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater and several performance and event spaces. Phase 2 opened in January 2022 with the addition of Steinmetz Hall, a world-class acoustically remarkable concert hall, and will soon open Judson’s, a cabaret-style, 150-seat dynamic music room for emerging artists. In nine seasons of operation, the downtown Orlando performing arts center has welcomed 3.5 million people—achieving 95% guest satisfaction per a recent survey data program—and has given $18.8 million back to the community for purpose and mission-driven initiatives. Additionally, the arts center has impacted over 535,000 students whose lives have been enriched by access to arts & culture.
Today, the arts center remains among the top touring Broadway markets in the U.S. and has received international recognition as a venue of excellence worldwide from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), as well as received two international Stevie Awards for media & entertainment company of the year and best nonprofit response to the pandemic for the Frontyard Festival™. The center has also been recognized for its ongoing commitment to DEI and remains the only autism-certified venue in the state of Florida.
When completed, the total economic impact of Dr. Phillips Center will be nearly $400 million with 3,600 total jobs generated in Orange County. Dr. Phillips Center currently provides nearly $200 million in total annual economic impact to the Central Florida area, supports 2,100 total jobs and generates over $13 million in state and local taxes. The proposed project will add $170 million to the total economic impact, support an additional 1,500 total jobs and generate over $11 million in state and local taxes. This is Additionally, the construction of the proposed Phase 3 project will generate a total one-time economic impact of $289 million, create 1,570 total jobs and generate nearly $7 million in state and local taxes.
About Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in downtown Orlando supported by the City of Orlando, Orange County, the City of Winter Park, the State of Florida and generous donors and sponsors. The 698,312-square-foot venue includes the grand 2,711-seat Walt Disney Theater, the community-theater style 296-seat Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, the new adaptable 1,464–1,770-seat Steinmetz Hall and, opening in 2023, the dynamic cabaret-style music room Judson's. In addition, the venue has various versatile event spaces like the DeVos Family Room, the Rooftop Terrace and the 3-acre outdoor Seneff Arts Plaza. In addition, the arts center's AdventHealth School of Arts offers classes, camps and pre-professional productions. For more information, visit drphillipscenter.org. Follow on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.