LEGOLAND Florida

Built on the former site of historic Cypress Gardens, Florida’s first theme park, the team melded the Owner’s vision of the LEGOLAND brand with the valuable assets of the site’s history. The design team scrutinized the viability of existing structures and every tree on the 150‑acre site. Throughout the design, the park’s majestic and historic canopy was protected. Over 80 percent of the existing canopy was preserved in place, and 20 large specimen trees were relocated by crane to strategic locations within the property. The character and history of the park were preserved via architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and master planning strategies.

LEGOLAND Florida
Winter Haven
Client
Merlin Entertainments Group
Awards

Florida Chapter, American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Award of Honor (2013)
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) National Project of the Year, Rehabilitation/Renovation/Restoration (2013)
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Southeast Project of the Year Award, Rehabilitation/Renovation/Restoration (2013)
Engineering News Record (ENR) Southeast Best Projects (2013)
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.(ABC) Final Five for National Project of the Year (2012)
Editor’s Choice, Best Theme Park Experience, Behind the Thrills (2012)
Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA) Award of Excellence (2012)
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.(ABS) Excellence in Construction, Eagle Award Entertainment Category (2012)
Friends of the Urban Forest Outstanding Project, Florida Urban Forestry Council (2011)