Elevated Link from the Convention Center to The Village of Imagine will offer convenient access to independently-owned cafes, boutiques and fine dining

 

Orlando, FL – The Village of Imagine is the first to “go vertical” among the planned condominium hotel properties in the Orange County Convention Center district. Construction is now underway at the 30-acre development with plans for an elevated connection corridor linking The Village of Image to the Orange County Convention Center.

 

The Events Plaza and Main Street will be the heartbeat of The Village. Overhanging balconies shade restaurants that offer fine dining options and unique owner-operated boutiques along Main Street that runs through the square. The elevated link, over Universal Boulevard, will connect The Village of Imagine, featuring the distinctive Westin Imagine Orlando Residences, to the Convention Center when it opens in the fall of 2008.

 

The Village of Imagine will serve as an oasis to the millions of convention visitors attending shows and conferences each year in Orlando. An urban village developed by Intrawest, The Village of Imagine is the first upscale ownership opportunity along the convention center corridor. Intrawest, which has developed destination resorts around the world, created The Village of Imagine as a collection of neighborhoods, from vibrant enclaves near the village center, to quieter, laid-back neighborhoods away from the community core.

 

The Village of Imagine made the decision not to actively court franchises opting instead for independent brands to fill the more than 30 storefronts in the village market square. It has gained commitments to fill several initial restaurant opportunities, including a steak house with operations in New York and Atlanta, an upscale Italian restaurant, two Florida-based seafood establishments, and a tapas restaurant. “Our Village experience will be unique and it’s the independent operators that will offer something different,” says Mark Mathews, vice president Commercial Development for Intrawest Placemaking. “We want to offer people a sampling of various food venues and boutique retail; making the village a destination giving our customers reason to visit again and again.”

 

Planned as a pedestrian-friendly village landscaped with native Florida plants and winding waterways, The Village of Imagine embodies the essence of old Florida architecture showcasing designs and elevations from various periods of Florida’s history.

 

“The elevated corridor is exciting because it provides a convenient gateway to The Village of Imagine for visitors, serving as an escape from the hustle and bustle of conventions,” explains Bob Buttaro, marketing manager for The Village of Imagine. “The selection of unique dining and entertainment is also sure to appeal to locals as well.”

 

The Village of Imagine is now taking reservations for the next phase of condominium hotel suites that will be contracted for construction later this fall. Playground Destinations Inc., the licensed broker responsible for the sales and marketing campaign can be reached for more information at (888) 822-3532 / http://www.villageofimagine.com. The Village of Imagine Discovery Center is located at 9635 Universal Boulevard, Orlando.

 

Editor’s note: High-resolution images and current construction photos are available for download at www.villageofimagine.com/public/news/mediacenter

 

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About The Village of Imagine

The Village of Imagine is owned by Orlando Village Development Limited Partnership, an Intrawest partnership. When completed, it will feature approximately 1,000 residences showcasing a mixture of architectural styles authentic to the state, while devoting ample space to native landscaping, abundant water features, natural walkways and preserved green areas. Located in the heart of Central Florida and next to the Orange County Convention Center, The Village of Imagine will provide a place for business travelers to dine and unwind, a venue for destination travelers to marvel in the one-of-a-kind retail concepts and a friendly gathering place for locals who seek an exceptional level of service and attention. Please call Playground Destination Properties Inc., Licensed Real Estate Broker 1-888-822-3532 for more information on residential and retail opportunities or visit the Web site at www.villageofimagine.com.

 

About Intrawest Corporation

Intrawest Corporation (IDR:NYSE; ITW:TSX) is a world leader in destination resorts and adventure travel. The company has interests in 10 resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Intrawest owns Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, and an interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in luxury adventure travel. The Intrawest network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest – a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit. www.intrawest.com.

 

About Playground Destination Properties, Inc.

Playground Destination Properties Inc., an Intrawest company, is the premier provider of sales and marketing services for destination real estate world-wide. The company draws on proprietary methodology called The PlaygroundTM Way to fulfill its mission of “connecting people with the ultimate places to play”. With home offices in Vancouver, BC, Playground represents unique real estate in six countries on three continents, including the world-renowned Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia –North America’s most popular mountain resort; Mammoth in California – The Eastern Sierra's premier four-season resort; and Florida’s Sandestin –2,400 acres including white sand beaches and world-class golf. To learn more about Playground’s unique breadth of offerings, visit www.playground.com.

 

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts, with 121 hotels and resorts in 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and was ranked “Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains.” in the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2004 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction StudySM and voted Best Domestic Hotel Chain by Global Traveler Magazine. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

 

 

(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results and events will not materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.)

 

This is not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, to residents of any state or province in which restrictions and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. This press release is void where prohibited by law. The prices, plans, amenities, availability and improvements described are subject to change without notice. Illustrations are artists’ depictions only, are not necessarily to scale and may differ from completed improvements, and scenes may include locations or activities not on or near the property. Improvements, facilities and programs are in formative stages, and there is no guarantee that they will be completed or developed. All pictures, photographs, and images are owned or licensed by Playground Destination Properties Inc. or its affiliates. Any use, reproduction or distribution of pictures, photographs, and images without written permission is expressly prohibited. Oral representations cannot be relied upon as correctly stating the representations of the developer. For correct representations, please make reference to this press release and to the document required by Section 718.503, Florida statutes, to be furnished by the developer to a buyer or lessee. Developer reserves the right to make any modifications as deemed necessary.

 

Contact Info:
John Riddle , Bennett & Company
Phone: 407-478-4040
john@bennettandco.com