Turner Construction is officially on deck as the builder for Westcourt Orlando, the long‑planned mixed‑use district just north of the Kia Center. Developers say early enabling work has started on the site, a tangible sign that a project talked about for years might finally be shifting from renderings to reality.
Builder Chosen After Long Preconstruction Run
Todd Chapman, president of San Francisco‑based JMA Ventures, told Orlando Weekly that Turner's track record on Space Coast infrastructure and complicated builds helped clinch the deal. "If you guys can send things into space, I’m pretty sure you can work with us and build this project," Chapman said. Developers say Turner has been tied into pre‑construction work since 2022 and has recently kicked off early site activities such as utility mapping, surveying, and laying out test piles.
Turner’s Local Track Record
Turner keeps an Orlando office and points to a Central Florida presence going back to 1984, including arena and airport projects across the region. That local history, along with regional leadership under vice president Jeff Justen, is what developers chose to spotlight when announcing the hire, according to Turner Construction.
What Developers Say Will Rise There
Westcourt is pitched as roughly a 900,000‑ to 1,000,000‑square‑foot district that will knit together hotel, residential, office, retail, and a live events venue right next to the Kia Center. The project site lists a 265‑key Kimpton hotel, about 269 high‑rise residences, around 300,000 square feet of Class A office space, 125,000 square feet of retail, a 3,500‑capacity events venue, and roughly 1,140 parking stalls as the core pieces, according to Westcourt.
Timing, Jobs And Local Impact
Developers did not lock in a firm groundbreaking date when they announced Turner, and published timelines do not quite match up. A Business Wire EB‑5 release projected a Q1 2026 start with completion in late 2028, while local coverage pointed to delays and a target of the end of 2026 for mobilization as financing and market conditions were sorted out. Turner and the development team estimate the buildout could support roughly 800 workers on site at peak and about 1,600 direct construction jobs over the life of the project, figures the team walked through with Orlando Weekly and other local outlets.
What To Watch Next
Office leasing has already started for Westcourt’s Class A space, and developers say a meaningful chunk is pre‑leased, a milestone they suggest could help smooth financing and scheduling for the broader district. Coverage of the leasing push and the next rounds of permitting and mobilization was reported by WFTV, and officials say they plan to keep rolling out updates as the site work moves ahead.
