Want to live in the “happiest place on earth”?

Media and ‘fun’ conglomerate Disney is using their special branch of magic to construct their first mixed-use residential community in the USA.

The project has ties to founder Walt Disney, as it will be located in the area near where he owned a home, Coachella Valley in California. Aptly named ‘Cotino’, the residential complex will include 1,900 housing units, which will be designed in a resort-like, small-town style that will take cues from Disney’s famed theme parks.

GALLERY  

Cotino is named after continus coggygria, the name for the European smoke tree plant that references Smoke Tree Ranch, where Walt Disney had a house in nearby Palm Springs.

According to the Walt Disney Company, Cotino’s homes will vary from standalone family homes to estates and condominiums and will be arranged around a 24-acre central lake described as a “grand oasis”.

As well as providing expansive residential areas, Cotino will have a town centre with a range of shopping, dining and other entertainment experiences.

All the facilities will be staffed by Disney cast members – the theatrical term for Disney theme park employees that was originally coined by Walt Disney.

Experiences at Cotino will include programmes centred on wellness, cookery, educational seminars and various live performances.

A professionally-managed beach park attached to the lake will provide recreational water activities to the public through the purchase of a day pass, while there is also plans to build a beachfront hotel.

Using the same team that is responsible for the construction of their theme parks worldwide, Disney described Storyliving as “vibrant new neighbourhoods that [will be] infused with the company’s special brand of magic.”

While most of the development will be open to homeowners of all ages, it will feature a section reserved specifically for residents over the age of 55.

Disney is also planning a number of other Storyliving developments in other parts of the US.

Images by Disney via Dezeen

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