Using a three-phase approach, the Balfour Beatty Construction-led team built Universal Orlando's 1.3-million-sq-ft Cabana Bay resort in less than 18 months. The 1,800-room hotel features two massive pool areas, a lobby, food court, gymnasium and a 10-lane bowling alley. The three phases overlapped, with no phase taking more than 13 months to complete. Phase 1 included three four-story buildings with 600 rooms; a second phase included public, administrative and support service; and the third phase included two seven-story buildings with 1,200 rooms.

Photo by Phil Eschbach

The Cabana Bay Resort won an Award of Merit in the residential and hospitality category.

Award of Merit, Residential/Hospitality — Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal Orlando

Key Players

Contractor Balfour Beatty Construction, Orlando

Owner UCF Hotel Venture II, Orlando

Lead Architect/Engineer Lindsay Pope Brayfield Clifford + Associates, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Designer Universal Creative, Orlando

Civil Engineer Harris Civil Engineers, Orlando