New communities, recreation and technology projects signal bright future
The pandemic has slowed or shuttered a lot of business, but the future looks big, busy and developed with the advancement of major projects on the Space Coast. Innovation has always lifted Brevard County, resulting in what the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast calls the “innovation ecosystem.”
Anywhere you look, we are surrounded by industries massive and small that support the economy of our county through technology, recreation, retail and good living.
So, let’s look at four projects that will boost the entire community with their plans to infuse life, jobs, experiences and opportunity in the near future.
Driftwood Westin Cocoa Beach
Goodbye International Palms Resort & Conference Center, hello Driftwood Westin Cocoa Beach. Literally, goodbye as in the former will be demolished to make way for the $300 million state-of-the-art hotel and convention center on 16 oceanfront acres.
The hospitality project will feature 502 rooms including four full-service restaurants, a spa and over 120,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting and event space – making it Brevard’s largest conference and event venue. Groundbreaking will be this year, with completion scheduled by 2024.
The new development design is inspired by notable moments in Cocoa Beach history.
“Design begins and ends with human experience,” said Dawn Gunter, principal and co-managing director for the design firm, Gensler. “This exciting collaboration with Driftwood offers a chance to create not just a resort hotel with retail and other programming, but also a new lifestyle destination that embraces the unique characteristics of Cocoa Beach and the culture of space exploration associated with the area.”
Big in footprint, the project also will have massive economic impact by creating 700-800 construction jobs at its peak over a three-year period and leading to 420 full- and part-time jobs on site. Millions of dollars will be infused into the local economy, with about $20 million going to Brevard County Public Schools over the next 20 years.
“The Westin Cocoa Beach is a transformative hospitality project that we hope will become iconic and emblematic of the Space Coast’s revival as an economic hub and lifestyle destination,” said Nelson Parker, Managing Director of Driftwood Capital’s new GP Development Fund.
Developer Driftwood also owns the Hilton Cocoa Beach and Melbourne Crowne Plaza.
Aerion
In April, 2020, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) announced that Aerion Supersonic would locate their global headquarters to Melbourne, representing a $300 million investment that will bring 675 new high-paying jobs to the Space Coast.
The company’s future state-of-the-art campus, Aerion Park, will house not only the company’s global headquarters, but an integrated campus for research, design, production, and interior completions of the company’s AS2 supersonic aircraft and future hypersonic aircraft. And, development has already begun on Aerion Park, located at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport, where the company already has a temporary office.
The campus will incorporate buildings spanning some 2 million square feet, which will incorporate clean energy solutions. Aerion park will be powered by the latest in photovoltaic solar technology, on-site electric vehicle charging stations will be installed, and rainwater that lands on the campus will be reused. Construction of Aerion Park will use recycled materials wherever possible, sourced locally to minimize emissions and the park will be dedicated to creating zero waste.
Major construction at Aerion Park will begin this year, ahead of the first AS2 aircraft flight test vehicle commencing production in 2023. Aerion plans to deliver 300 aircraft over 10 years of production, supported by a growing domestic and international order backlog which now tops $6.5 billion.
“Aerion Supersonic’s new headquarters solidifies the Space Coast as a premier global location for the pioneers of high-tech industry,” said EDC President and CEO Lynda L. Weatherman. “The company’s state-of-the-art campus will further embolden our base of sophisticated enterprises and 21st-century assets.”
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Space Coast Town Centre
There’s a new urban village coming to West Melbourne, a 170-acre mixed-use community west of Interstate 95 and south of US 192 (Space Coast Parkway). The live-work-play model will come to life as a “diverse upscale community of multifamily residences” surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops, retail, health clubs, hotels and entertainment.
Developers and local officials are hoping the convenience of so many amenities within walking distance will help lure young aerospace workers and others. Work started in fall 2019, and West Melbourne City Manager Scott Morgan said we could see apartments going vertical mid this year. Residents and hotel guests likely would be welcome in early 2022.
Plans call for a corporate office campus, with many buildings having lake views. The project also will feature two community lakes and a village green — perfect for gatherings, concerts and other recreational activities.
A simulated flight over a rendering of the entire Centre offers an understanding of the extensive project and is viewable here: spacecoasttowncentre.com/be-a-part
Suntree Country Club
Suntree Country Club is thriving, with a waiting list for new members. To offer an enhanced experience, the club hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in November to commemorate the start of a $7.5 million facilities improvement project. Within the next year, members will be treated to a new 14,000-square-foot clubhouse, new cart barn, putting green, and expanded landscaping.
The current 9th green will be transformed into an 18th green “risk reward” hole.
The new clubhouse will include a main dining room, banquet room, private dining room, indoor/outdoor bar, men’s and women’s locker rooms, and pro shop. The existing clubhouse will be repurposed once the new clubhouse is complete.
“In spite of the challenges of 2020, Suntree Country Club is thriving. We are taking this opportunity to enhance the member experience with the new clubhouse and other facility and golf course improvements,” said Suntree Country Club General Manager Steve Lamontagne.
Established in 1975, Suntree Country Club is a private, member-owned country club. The campus offers 36 holes of championship golf, short-game practice facility, eight lighted tennis courts, and a large multi-purpose sport court.
Other recent enhancements to the Club include updates to the tennis facility that now features six hydro-courts along with upgraded fencing, LED lights and light poles, as well as landscaping around the tennis courts. Suntree Country Club also completed phase 1 of the Challenge course Irrigation, new Challenge practice putting green and the expansion of the pool bar.
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