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London-based Balfour Beatty started in November at Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, according to Brian Bruce, director of corporate communications for Universal Destinations & Experiences, a division of Comcast NBCUniversal. It is the company’s first theme park dedicated to young children, he said in an email.
Universal executives would not confirm the cost of the project, however Frisco expects the company to invest at least $550 million to build it, Axios reported. The park is smaller than the others to be more appeal to younger guestswith a 300-room resort hotel, according to a Universal press release.
According to Bruce, the architectural firm Gensler, which has extensive experience with theme parks, has been selected to help design the project.
Vertical construction is expected to begin in early 2024, with major parts of the park opening in mid-2026. The project is expected to bring about 2,500 construction jobs to the area, according to the release.
Universal Kids Resort will have a different look and feel compared to its existing parks and will cover about a quarter of the area, Universal said in January when it announced the project. It will take up less than half of Universal’s 97-acre site off the Dallas North Tollway.
The resort will include different “lands” themed around Universal Studios characters and films, and will feature attractions, shows, restaurants, shops and character encounters.
The Frisco City Council approved the theme park’s special use zoning permit in March. The city will give Universal $12.7 million for the project, but the park and hotel on the property must open by June 2026 and meet other requirements to qualify for the incentive.
Universal and city officials said the park will draw 20,000 visitors on weekends and holidays and roughly 7,500 on weekdays. The The company would have selected Frisco because of its growing population and ability to attract businesses, according to a city news release.
