Town of Celebration

Founded in 1994, Celebration has the zest of an endearing old-fashioned American town of the South. Developed by the Celebration Company, a division of the Disney Development Company, this planned urban development is set on 4,900 acres just south of Orlando; located in Northwest Osceola County, Florida, south of U.S. 192 and adjacent to Interstate 4 and Highway 417. It is a 30 minute car ride from Celebration to downtown Orlando and a 20 minute ride to the Orlando International Airport. The community’s distinctive architecture is one of its’ most important features. The collaborative effort of internationally renowned architects and community planners resulted in this unique American town that sets Celebration apart from any other place to live, work and play.

Residences

The community was constructed in phases; one Village at a time. Celebration Village, West Village and Lake Evalyn were built in Celebration’s first phase of development, with a total of approximately 500 home sites, including 76 townhomes, and nearly 700 condominiums. The second phase of residential development was North Village, with more than 300 home sites and 300 condominiums. South Village followed with over 600 home sites and townhomes and nearly 500 condominiums. Phase four included two villages; East Village and Aquila Reserve with a combined 500 homes and townhomes and 70 condominiums. Artisan Park, is a 160-acre village built by the St. Joe Company and contains more than 600 homes and condominiums. Spring Lake, Celebration’s last residential phase to date, is comprised of cutting-edge, energy-efficient home designs including Townhomes, Villas, and single-family homes. The village is located off of Celebration Boulevard near the Celebration High School. Island Village is currently under development by Mattamy Homes.

Celebration has a broad mix of residential styles to offer including condominiums, townhomes, terrace style condominiums, as well as bungalow, garden, cottage, village, manor and estate homes. The enduring appeal of the individual homes is evident in the harmonious blend of their traditional, Southeastern exteriors with floor plans and interiors that are designed for modern lifestyles and tastes. You will find Classical, Coastal, Colonial Revival, French, Mediterranean and Victorian architectural styles brought together to create a truly unique community. Homes, most with welcoming front porches, create open, friendly and inviting streetscapes while quaint backyard gardens invite you to sit back and relax in privacy. Most homes have access to the garage via a rear service alley.

Population

At present, the community has a population of approximately 12,000 residents and 4,060 charming homes.

Town Center

The downtown business area is a traditionally styled Town Center with pre-1940’s architecture and is reminiscent of a village in the tropics with its’ colorful stucco buildings. The shops, businesses and restaurants are nestled around a lakefront where pedestrians can stroll or relax in rocking chairs. There is a mix of three and four-story buildings that define the downtown area and house various businesses on the street level with one and two-bedroom condos built above the retail shops, restaurants, and professional offices. The downtown area is the location for many service related businesses such as a hair salon, a nail salon, an old-fashioned barber shop, and includes two banks, a movie theatre, a post office, the Celebration Hotel and the Town Hall.

Water Tower Shoppes

Water Tower Place was created by the town’s master planners, Cooper, Robertson and Partners and provides added convenience for residents with its retail shops, restaurants, a gas station and many other consumer service related businesses.

Celebration Place Office Park

A little over one-half of the planned 1.1 million square feet of commercial office space, designed by the famous Italian Architect, Aldo Rossi, has been developed. These buildings house many of Disney’s executives and employees.

Education

Celebration has two public schools; the Celebration School (grades K-8) and Celebration High School (grades 9-12). Stetson University has a campus in Celebration that offers advanced degrees in Business, Education Leadership and Counseling. There are private options for education which include the Montessori Children’s House. Celebration also has private day care and preschool options within the community.

Health

Advent Health serves the regional area from its Celebration setting. Located on a 60-acre site, the facilities include a fitness/wellness center, an acute-care hospital with an emergency room and a professional building that houses physicians’ offices.

Parks & Recreational Facilities

There are five community pools spread amongst the different Villages in Celebration. Several of the Condominium Associations have private pools for their residents and Artisan Park has a private pool and Clubhouse for its residents. There are parks and playgrounds located throughout the town along with miles of nature trails for walking or biking. Celebration has several community tennis courts and volleyball courts along with a basketball court located at Lakeside Park.

Golf

Celebration is the home of a public par-72 Championship golf course designed by the renowned father-son team of Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. It includes a 3-hole junior course, a practice putting green and chipping hole and an aqua driving range.

Civic Providers

Celebration has a two-bay Fire and Rescue station. Osceola County provides Fire, Emergency Medical Services and Sheriff protection for the community.

Transportation

Residents are often seen moving about town in their NEV’s (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) or on their Segway PT (Personal Transporter). These vehicles offer Green Transportation.

Master Plan and Architects

Cooper, Robertson and Partners

Robert A.M. Stern Architects

Town Center Architects – Buildings

Major Awards:

• NAIOP Excellence Award - 1996 Development of the Year 
• Grand Project Excellence Award - 1997 Large/Design/Civil – Surveying – Celebration Infrastructure Development Phase 1 
• American Society of Landscape Architects 1998 Award of Excellence - Celebration Town Center 
• 1998 Frederick B. Stresau Award – Celebration Town Center 
• 2001 – Urban Land Institute’s Award for Excellence as Best New Community