Celebration: The Unfinished Utopia of Disney's Florida Town
Celebration, a community in Florida established by the Disney Development Company in 1994, reflects Walt Disney's dream of a perfect city, inspired by his incomplete EPCOT idea following his passing in 1966. Originally conceived as a theme park in 1982, it evolved into a residential town in the early 1990s, with designs by Cooper, Robertson & Partners and architect Robert A. M. Stern. Notable public structures include a post office designed by Michael Graves and a town hall by Philip Johnson. The town showcases six architectural styles and adheres to a 150-page rulebook. It received the Urban Land Institute's 'New Community of the Year' accolade in 2001. After being sold to Lexin Capital in 2004, the 2008 financial crisis impacted property values. Currently, it is home to approximately 11,000 residents.
Key facts
- Celebration is a residential community in Florida, about 10 km from Walt Disney World.
- The project was initiated by the Disney Development Company in 1994 with an investment of about $2.5 billion.
- The masterplan was designed by Cooper, Robertson & Partners with architect Robert A. M. Stern.
- Landscape design was by AECOM.
- Michael Graves designed the post office and Philip Johnson the town hall.
- Housing styles are limited to six: Classical, Victorian, Colonial, Coastal, Mediterranean, and French.
- Residents must include a 'Hidden Mickey' on their property.
- The first residents arrived in 1996.
- Celebration won the Urban Land Institute's 'New Community of the Year' award in 2001.
- The Walt Disney Company controlled the town until 2004, when it was sold to Lexin Capital.
- The 2008 financial crisis caused home values to drop and businesses to close.
- The town has about 11,000 residents today.
Entities
Artists
- Walt Disney
- Robert A. M. Stern
- Michael Graves
- Philip Johnson
Institutions
- Disney Development Company
- Cooper, Robertson & Partners
- AECOM
- Urban Land Institute
- Lexin Capital
- Walt Disney Company
- Artribune
Locations
- Florida
- Walt Disney World
- Celebration
- United States