Disney unveils new whimsical residential community in N.C.

by marika_gabriel | December 16, 2023 7:00 am

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In collaboration with DMB Development and Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney’s Storyliving brand has revealed plans for Asteria, a new residential community near Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, N.C.

The community will be designed to celebrate the spirit of discovery, encouraging exploration of the region’s natural beauty, and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. The Asteria community, part of the award-winning Chatham Park community by Preston Development Company, will span 607 ha (1,500 acres) in Pittsboro, N.C., offering more than 4,000 residential units, including homes for 55-plus adults.

Scheduled for a sales launch in 2027, Asteria aims to blend metropolitan amenities with small-town charm. Residents will enjoy distinctive Disney placemaking, with a variety of home styles lining quaint streets, with amenities showcasing the area’s natural beauty. The community will feature neighborhood parks, walking and biking trails, and a club offering exclusive Disney-themed experiences. Proposed amenities include a wellness and recreation center, a restaurant, sport courts, swimming pools, and a community garden.

Claire Bilby, senior vice-president of Disney Signature Experiences Emerging Businesses, expressed excitement about expanding Disney-branded communities to the East Coast. Julian “Bubba” Rawl, co-founder of Preston Development Company, spoke of the sense of responsibility they felt to the residents and the broader community to create this project with Disney, DMB Development, and homebuilders.

Asteria draws inspiration from N.C.’s Research Triangle universities, envisioning itself as a campus of discovery.

“We had an incredible time developing the creative brand and story for Asteria, the new Storyliving by Disney community,” says Shawn Montague, site portfolio executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “We chose the community’s name to pay homage to the native North Carolina aster flower. The flower is also a namesake of the Greek goddess Asteria whose tears of stardust fell to the Earth and sprouted the first aster flowers. We thought it was a beautiful way to honor North Carolina’s natural beauty from the Earth to the sky, in our campus of discovery.”

As a Storyliving by Disney community, Asteria promises a unique lifestyle, combining renowned Disney placemaking with regional inspiration. The community, still in the early planning stages, reflects Disney’s commitment to creating one-of-a-kind places that inspire residents to craft their next chapter.

Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/north-carolina-disney-residential-project-asteria/

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