What’s Universal Building Now? 20-Acre Project Breaks Ground, and It’s Officially Not a Theme Park
Here’s What Guests Need To Know
In Universal Orlando Resort news, a third expansion is coming in 2026, bringing 20 acres of new land to the theme park giant.
Universal Orlando News: New Construction Project Coming in 2026
It started quietly — no fireworks, no grand press event, no countdown projected onto a castle. Just the sound of shovels breaking Florida soil under a November sky. For months, cranes and construction equipment have buzzed along Universal Boulevard, but this time, they’re not building a roller coaster or a hotel. They’re building homes.
Why would one of the world’s biggest entertainment giants suddenly turn its attention from theme parks to affordable housing?
Construction Begins on Universal’s Catchlight Crossings
Universal Destinations & Experiences and Wendover Housing Partners have officially broken ground on Catchlight Crossings, a new 20-acre affordable housing community just minutes from Universal Orlando Resort. The development, announced in 2023 and now under full construction, marks an unprecedented move in the theme park industry — a major studio stepping directly into community building.
Universal article that says Catchlight Crossings is opening 2026. Affordable housing that UOR is developing walking distance from Terra Luna/Stella Nova.
Universal article that says Catchlight Crossings is opening 2026. Affordable housing that UOR is developing walking distance from Terra Luna/Stella Nova. https://t.co/zZHTnWQ5sp pic.twitter.com/6hdl15sJdj
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 27, 2025
Located in the International Drive corridor, Catchlight Crossings will feature 1,000 affordable apartment homes alongside retail spaces, playgrounds, and shared community areas. The project is expected to welcome its first residents in 2026, offering much-needed relief to the rising cost of living near Central Florida’s tourism hub.
And for Universal, this is no small gesture — it’s the company’s third expansion project in as many years, joining Epic Universe (now open) and the new Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
What Makes Catchlight Crossings Unique
Catchlight Crossings isn’t just a housing complex; it’s a fully integrated community crafted under Universal’s Housing for Tomorrow initiative. It’s designed to be both affordable and sustainable—something rarely seen in Orlando’s high-demand rental market.
Key features include:
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Tuition-free Bezos Academy preschool on-site.
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Educational programs in partnership with the University of Central Florida.
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Medical offices, retail shops, and community event spaces.
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A transportation hub connecting to buses, rideshares, and employer shuttles.
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Easy access to the proposed Sunshine Corridor railway, linking residents to the Convention Center and Orlando International Airport.
Seventy-five percent of all housing units will remain affordable in perpetuity, reserved for households earning 60% or less of the area’s median income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Financing includes Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, ensuring rents stay truly accessible long-term.
Why It Matters to Team Members and Guests
For many Universal Orlando team members, affordable housing has long been a pressing issue. Workers who keep the parks clean, entertain guests, and bring beloved characters to life often face soaring rents and lengthy commutes. Catchlight Crossings brings these employees — and other local residents — closer to work, cutting transportation costs and improving quality of life.
The move also resonates with guests and nearby Orlando residents, who view it as proof that theme parks can reinvest in the communities that fuel them. “It’s not just about rides anymore,” one longtime Team Member shared. “It’s about building a future everyone can live in.”
This investment reflects a broader vision from Universal — one that extends beyond tickets and turnstiles. It’s a rare corporate effort to bridge the gap between tourism and community well-being, right in the heart of the nation’s hospitality capital.
A Hidden Expansion with Long-Term Impact
While Epic Universe captures headlines as Universal’s mega-resort, Catchlight Crossings represents the company’s next evolution: a commitment to social infrastructure. Together, these projects signal a new era for Universal — themed entertainment on one side, sustainable living on the other.
Beyond optics, this shift could reshape how other major destinations — including Disney and SeaWorld — approach their relationship with Central Florida residents. If successful, Catchlight Crossings could become a model for other tourism-backed affordable housing initiatives nationwide.
And with the first phase scheduled to open in 2026, the development may quietly become one of Universal’s most important “attractions” yet — not for thrills, but for stability, opportunity, and hope.
