The Four Seasons hotel and fractional timeshare project moved closer to commencement this week as new permit applications were filed with local regulators.
Original Four Seasons concept art
On August 25, 2011, a new permit application was filed with the South Florida Water Management District concerning the stagnating Four Seasons Resort Orlando hotel and timeshare project.
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Satellite image of project site
This latest permit application--a modification to numerous prior filings--is to commence construction on the hotel site:
"FS Orlando, LLC and FS Orlando Golf, LLC, are now seeking Construction Permit Approval for 36.51 acres of proposed improvements associated with a proposed resort and offsite parking lot within the Golden Oak development. Improvements proposed with this application include a new hotel, convention space, resort amenities, parking facilities and the accompanying stormwater management facilities."
The Four Seasons hotel was previously defined as a 445-room facility. The site is located north of Vista Boulevard, amidst Disney's Golden Oak housing development. Portions of the land were previously utilized by the Eagle Pines golf course which closed in mid-2007.
Plans called for the Eagle Pines course to eventually be revived and integrated within the Golden Oak / Four Seasons development. The nearby Osprey Ridge golf course is still in use.
Water features of Four Seasons Orlando including "Ruinous Mansion" pool and lazy river
This site also has Disney Vacation Club connections as it was once earmarked for a 400+ unit DVC resort--a project which was cancelled in the months following the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks and subsequent tourism slump.
Four Seasons' original announcement cited the inclusion of fractional timeshare units. Fractional timeshares are a similar concept to a traditional timeshare whereby multiple owners share use of a single facility. However, fractionals typically have a very small number of owners--as few as 4 to 5 owners per unit.
Overall site plan displaying hotel (center), fractional parcel (above), Osprey Ridge golf course (left) and numerous Golden Oak development plots
This latest permit application still identifies the fractional parcel but no details are provided which would suggest imminent development of the fractional units.
The Four Seasons project was originally announced in 2007 with a proposed opening in 2010 / 2011. Economic conditions lead to numerous delays. Recent company statements indicate an opening no earlier than 2014.
