The $550 million Universal Studios theme park in Frisco will be designed by architectural firm Gensler.
Gensler, which has an office in Dallas, is the world’s largest architectural and design firm, the Dallas Business Journal reported. It already is the designer for the high-profile Fields and Fields West developments in Frisco.
In January, Gensler announced former Disney Imagineer Bob Weis was joining the company. Weis’ experience includes “creating, designing and developing some of Disney’s most iconic projects around the world,” Gensler said in a news release.
“Now more than ever, design has the power to shape how we experience life. Bob is joining us just as we emerge from the pandemic as people are craving compelling, visceral experiences in the places where they live, work, and play,” Gensler co-CEO Andy Cohen said.
Weis said the company aligned with his passion for immersive experiences.
“At Disney, we often collaborated with Gensler, and I was able to see firsthand its culture of design innovation that transforms the quality of life in our world,” Weis said in the news release.
CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts CEO Mark Woodbury said the park would be unique. He said Universal was “wildly excited” to bring it to Frisco.
“We’re known for creating one-of-a-kind innovative, interactive experiences for the whole family,” Woodbury said, as The Dallas Express reported in January.
“We have a portfolio of terrific attractions that appeal to young families around the world. We had an idea to bring all of those together and create a destination that is specifically designed to appeal to families with young children. That’s what you see in this illustration now, and that’s what we hope to bring to Frisco,” Woodbury said.
The park will be located on 97 acres on the east side of the Dallas North Tollway near Panther Creek Parkway. A 300-room resort hotel is also planned for the property.
The project was approved in March by the City of Frisco despite some concerns about the park’s location. The city met with residents and asked for input.
“The public really influenced the project, probably more than any case I’ve been involved with for 15 years,” Mayor Jeff Cheney said, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. “I do think this is a better project than [when] it started.”