Universal news
News stories: 1 - 16 of 16
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
by Liz Terry | 27 May 2026
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
by Kath Hudson | 29 Dec 2023
Universal Studios is assessing the feasibility of opening its first European resort in the UK, following the purchase of a former brickworks in Bedfordshire. The theme park operator has confirmed it’s in the “very early stages of exploring the possibility of a potential park and resort experience in Bedford.” Parent company, Comcast Corporation has purchased the 480-acre site, which previously had planning permission for 1,000 homes. Universal Destinations and Experiences
Construction work to begin on Universal Resort Beijing's second phase 'by 2025'
by Tom Walker | 10 Sep 2023
Construction work on the second phase of the Universal Resort Beijing is set to begin by 2025. The expansion of the resort, which first opened in September 2021, will form part of the Chinese government's wider action plan to invest in Beijing's tourism infrastructure and to develop the city into a global destination. The second phase will add around 2.2sq km to the total park area at Universal Beijing and
Fun and fear drive new Universal attraction concepts for Texas and Las Vegas
by Tom Walker | 13 Jan 2023
Universal Parks & Resorts has revealed plans to launch two entirely new visitor attractions concepts – a family-focused theme park and resort in Texas and a year-round horror experience in Las Vegas. Described as a "one-of-a-kind theme park, unlike any other in the world", the new Texas resort will feature immersive themed lands, family-friendly attractions, interactive shows and character 'meet and greets' utilising Universal’s IP. Designed as intimate and engaging for
Universal Beijing Resort reveals expansion plans for second phase
by Tom Walker | 10 Dec 2021
Universal Beijing Resort in China is preparing to embark on the second phase of its construction programme. The project will add around 2.2sq km to the total park area and will include up to five new hotels. This means the second phase will more than double the current size of the 1.8sq km park. The announcement comes less than three months after the park opened its doors to the public,
Immersive Super Nintendo World will put visitors inside Nintendo’s games
by Tom Anstey | 14 Jan 2020
New details have been revealed about the immersive, game-themed Super Nintendo World, which is due to open at Universal Studios Japan in Tokyo this summer. The theme park land has been conceived for visitors to feel as if they are playing inside their favourite Nintendo video games and will feature Nintendo’s well-known worlds, characters and adventures. Technology and design will be used to blend the physical world with a digital,
Pharrell's Toronto tower, Untitled, will be parametric, natural and universal
by Stu Robarts | 04 Dec 2019
Untitled Toronto, the residential tower designed by musician Pharrell Williams in collaboration with IBI Group and U31, will combine parametric design, natural elements and "universal spaces" intended to act as a backdrop for the lifestyles of its residents. The development will comprise two towers with a shared podium and was inspired by the concept of a jugalbandi – a performance in Indian classical music featuring an intricate duet between two
Universal Hip Hop Museum slated to break ground this year in New York
by Andrew Manns | 26 Feb 2019
Construction on the Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHHM) – the first institution of its kind in the US – is expected to begin by the end of 2019 in the Bronx, the birthplace of hip hop music. Supported by a team of acclaimed rap stars and disc jockeys, among whom are LL Cool J, Ice-T, and Kurtis Blow, UHHM will celebrate the genre's enduring resonance and cultural significance with various
GA Smart Building to erect multilevel Universal City in Paris
by Andrew Manns | 25 Feb 2019
French property developer and construction firm GA Smart Building has been selected to build the Universal City, a 30,000 sq m mixed-use complex dedicated to disability athletics and wellness. The nine-storey facility – first conceived by social activist and sportsman Ryadh Sallem for the citywide urban regeneration scheme "Reinventer Paris" (Reinventing Paris) – will rise on a vacant lot adjacent to the Porte de Pantin station in the 19th arrondissement
China clamping down on unsustainable theme park boom
by Tom Anstey | 12 Apr 2018
China’s central planning body has warned developers about the country’s ongoing theme park boom, raising concerns over potentially unpayable debts and low grade or copycat developments, as new parks continue to spring up across the country. As of the end of 2015, China had 59 parks planned or under construction, with the figure now thought to be in the hundreds. This explosion in theme park development in the country is
Tokyo Disney plans biggest expansion in 20 years as operator enters discussions for ¥300bn development
by Tom Anstey | 30 Nov 2017
Tokyo Disney could undergo its biggest expansion in over two decades, as operator Oriental Land is reportedly in discussions over a ¥300bn (US$2.68bn, €2.25bn, £1.98bbn) mega-development for the resort. According to multiple news sources in Japan, the plans are not part of the previous ¥250bn (US$2.22bn, €1.88bn, £1.65bn), 10-year expansion plan for Tokyo Disney, which includes new attractions based on Beauty and the Beast and Big Hero 6, as well
Universal Hip Hop Museum planned for Harlem River leisure complex
by Kim Megson | 29 Nov 2017
A vacant plot located along the Harlem River waterfront in New York has been earmarked as the site for a major new residential and leisure development – including a home for the city’s first dedicated hip hop museum. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has announced a raft of ambitious plans for its new Bronx Point destination, including public open spaces, a hi-tech multiplex theatre, education facilities for
Universal breaks ground on CN¥50bn China venture
by Tom Anstey | 03 Nov 2016
Universal Studios has broken ground on its largest ever theme park project – a CN¥50bn (US$7.4bn, €6.65bn, £6bn) development set to open in Beijing in 2020. While Disney and Wanda battle for theme park supremacy in China, Universal has now entered the race, with the massive investment to cover 4sq km (2.5sq m) in Tongzhou – an eastern district of Beijing. With ground breaking on the development this week, once
Universal offers first look at immersive waterpark Volcano Bay
by Tom Anstey | 22 Jun 2016
Universal has offered a first-look at its “next-generation” Volcano Bay, promising to redefine the waterpark experience with everything from the queue line to the park’s immersive theming. Volcano Bay, which suffered a minor setback this month following a fire at the construction site, will open by 1 June 2017, according to officials.
Ace Hotel, London – by Universal Design Studio – sold for $222m
by Kath Hudson | 02 Apr 2015
The Ace Hotel in London has changed hands for £150m (US$222m, €205m). The 258-bed Shoreditch hotel, which includes the Miranda nightclub and Hoi Polloi restaurant, has been sold by Starwood Capital Group to Limulus, but will still be managed by Ace Hotel Group. The hotel started life as a Crowne Plaza, built on the site of the Shoreditch Empire music hall. It opened as the Ace in October 2013 following
Universal Studios Japan to open new area
by Pete Hayman | 26 Jul 2011
Osaka theme park Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has revealed that it is to open a new area - Universal Wonderland - in spring 2012, which will cater for guests of all ages. Based on the image of a small town, the new 30,000sq m (322,917sq ft) area is to comprise three zones that will feature Snoopy, Hello Kitty and Sesame Street characters. Hello Kitty Fashion Avenue has been created from
News stories: 1 - 16 of 16
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