Team Members at Universal Orlando's existing campus will soon have a new facility to enjoy. The company has released plans for a brand new 19,000 sq. foot back-of-house facility that will be a gathering place for Team Members. The building will be called UO Team Member Campus Commons and is expected to break ground this month with a targeted opening of sometime in late 2024.
"Designed by our colleagues in Universal Creative, our new campus hub will be an all-in-one location where we can socialize, have a meal, visit Team Members Services, shop at U-Shop, or bank at Fairwinds," Universal Orlando President Karen Irwin said in a letter to Team Members.
"It will be directly across the street from B-20, next to B-4. As part of this project, we are building an all-new Backlot Bistro with modern decor and expanded seating. Thoughtfully designed outdoor areas will be a welcoming space to gather, with a pedestrian plaza that extends to connect Starbucks and [Universal's wardrobe building]."
The Backlot Bistro will have over 600 seats including a mixture of indoor and outdoor seating options - including several Adirondack chairs and lounge-style seating. There will create easier access to Starbucks and will even offer additional new food offerings. According to Nadia Lama, Senior Facility Manager with Universal Creative, the building will "have several large skylights over 20 feet long that will allow some natural daylight to come in."
The project is spawned from recent UO Team Member survey results stating they desire enhanced, centralized services on the backlot and increased seating at the Backlot Bistro. "We saw things spread out ... dining was in one building, backing in another, and other team members services in another building," said Dustin Johns, projects manager for Universal Creative.
The second floor of the new building will be home to future offices for undisclosed Universal Orlando departments.
"It's a fantastic initiative that we are willing to make vast improvements to the Team Member spaces. From personal experience, it is an area that needs assistance and seeing where we obviously are doing great strides to guest experience with attractions. It's reassuring and confirming to know the company wants to expand do these improvements too," added Johns.