Build-A-Bear Workshop is preparing to open a three-story flagship store at ICON Park in Orlando, marking a larger and more experiential version of the brand’s familiar mall format. New location at 8431 International Drive is expected to include a dessert shop, a clothing personalization station, an interactive design studio, and a partially enclosed rooftop terrace.
The Orlando project is notable not only for its size, but also for the way it repositions Build-A-Bear as an appointment-based destination rather than a standard retail storefront. Guests will work with consultants who help guide the customization process, including choices such as eye color, coat texture, and paw design. The company says the build-your-own experience at this location will go beyond what shoppers typically find at mall stores.
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The new flagship is scheduled to replace the existing Build-A-Bear Workshop at ICON Park, which opened in 2021. Completion is anticipated in November 2026, although the company has not publicly announced a grand opening date.
| Project Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project | Build-A-Bear flagship store at ICON Park |
| Location | 8431 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 |
| Brand | Build-A-Bear Workshop |
| Estimated Cost | $11 million |
| Size | Approximately 33,600 square feet |
| Building Type | Three-story low-rise retail and experience-driven flagship |
| Status | Under construction |
| Expected Completion | November 2026, according to the report |
How the ICON Park location differs from a typical Build-A-Bear store
Build-A-Bear’s new ICON Park store is designed to function more like an attraction than a conventional retail outlet. The company’s plan calls for a more customized, appointment-centered experience that reflects Orlando’s tourism-heavy environment and ICON Park’s broader entertainment-oriented tenant mix.
Instead of a straightforward walk-in layout, the store will use consultants to guide guests through a more detailed customization process. That includes options such as eye color, coat texture, and paw design, underscoring the company’s effort to turn the store into a destination where the experience is as important as the finished product.
The project also includes a dessert component, a clothing personalization station, and an all-in-one design studio. Those features point to a larger retail strategy increasingly seen in entertainment districts and high-traffic mixed-use environments, where brands try to extend dwell time and create more reasons for visitors to stay on site longer.
Project size, cost and construction timeline
The Orlando flagship carries an estimated development cost of $11 million and is expected to total about 33,600 square feet, according to information cited by Florida YIMBY. The building is described as a low-rise, three-story structure, with a partially enclosed rooftop terrace among its planned features.
Build-A-Bear announced plans for the Orlando location in March 2025 and began construction a few months later in July 2025. The company has indicated that completion is anticipated in November 2026, though a formal opening date has not been released.
The project also reflects a broader trend among experiential retailers that are investing in larger-format concept stores. Rather than limiting space to product display and checkout, these locations increasingly incorporate interactive zones, food and beverage elements, and social spaces intended to broaden the customer experience.
Why ICON Park fits the concept
ICON Park on International Drive has long positioned itself as an entertainment and dining destination rather than a traditional retail center. That makes it a logical setting for a flagship Build-A-Bear location that depends on foot traffic, tourism, and family-oriented visitors.
The address at 8431 International Drive places the project in one of Orlando’s most visible visitor corridors. International Drive is home to hotels, attractions, restaurants, and retail uses that serve both local residents and the area’s large visitor base. For a brand built around family experiences, the location offers access to a steady stream of tourism-driven demand.
The new store will replace the existing Build-A-Bear Workshop at ICON Park, which opened in 2021. That transition suggests the company is not leaving the center, but rather upgrading its presence with a much larger and more specialized format.
What has and has not been disclosed publicly
At this stage, the most concrete publicly available details concern the project’s size, cost, location and intended features. Build-A-Bear has not publicly released a full breakdown of the design team, contractor, or permit history in the source material reviewed for this article.
Likewise, the company has not announced whether the Orlando flagship will serve as a prototype for future locations in other markets. Florida YIMBY reported that Build-A-Bear had previously considered cities such as Chicago and Las Vegas before settling on Orlando, but the company has not publicly framed the project as part of a larger rollout.
For now, the primary takeaway is that ICON Park is getting a considerably larger and more immersive Build-A-Bear location than the format typically seen in suburban malls. The project blends retail, customization and entertainment in a way that aligns with the broader evolution of experiential concepts in tourist-heavy districts.
Regional retail context
While the project is in Orlando rather than South Florida, it is relevant to the regional real estate and retail conversation because it reflects how brands are thinking about experiential destinations in Florida’s major visitor markets. Developers and retailers across the state have increasingly favored concepts that create destination traffic rather than passive retail sales alone.
That strategy is especially visible in mixed-use and entertainment districts where family-oriented attractions can support food, beverage and retail spending throughout the day. In that sense, the Build-A-Bear flagship at ICON Park is less about a standard store opening and more about a retail concept tailored to a location that already operates as an attraction.
For real estate observers, the project also illustrates how retail tenants continue to test larger-format concepts in high-traffic districts with strong tourist appeal. Those sites can support more elaborate store designs, multiple experience zones and specialized service models that would be difficult to justify in a smaller neighborhood center.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the new Build-A-Bear flagship located?
The store is planned for 8431 International Drive in Orlando, at ICON Park.
How large is the project?
The location is expected to total roughly 33,600 square feet across three stories.
When will the store open?
Build-A-Bear has not announced an official grand opening date, but completion is currently anticipated for November 2026.
What will make this location different from a typical Build-A-Bear store?
The store is planned as an appointment-based flagship with a dessert shop, clothing personalization station, design studio and partially enclosed rooftop terrace.
Will this location replace an existing Build-A-Bear store?
Yes. The new flagship is planned to replace the Build-A-Bear Workshop currently operating at ICON Park, which opened in 2021.
