Disney is no stranger to transformation. Whether reimagining a theme park or revamping its streaming strategy, the company has long made bold pivots to align with evolving market demands. Its latest moves, however, are less about what’s on screen — and more about where its people, and its future, might be headed.
Over the past few weeks, The Walt Disney Company has begun reducing its physical footprint in key West Coast locations, signaling a shift in how and where it operates. But while some might interpret this as contraction, others see it as a strategic repositioning — one that blends retreat with expansion.
And that expansion is happening in an unexpected place: North Carolina.
Disney’s Office Pullback Gains Speed
According to real estate research firm CoStar, Disney is the latest in a wave of major corporations paring back in downtown Seattle. The entertainment giant has reduced its presence at the city’s Fourth & Madison tower by nearly 30%, dropping from around 170,000 square feet to 121,600. The decision, finalized last month, comes as Seattle’s commercial market grapples with an office vacancy rate nearing 40%.
The building, once anchored by Disney’s tech operations, now counts law firm K&L Gates as its largest tenant. Disney declined to comment on the decision, but the move aligns with a broader trend of West Coast downsizing among major media and tech firms in the wake of remote work and shifting business priorities.
Meanwhile, Disney has also reportedly decided not to renew its lease at the historic Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles. That agreement — tied to the $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets — is set to expire in March 2026. But sources told The Los Angeles Times that Disney will exit the lot a few months early, leaving by the end of 2025.
From Corporate Cuts to Community Building
While Disney scales back its West Coast presence, it’s also investing heavily in a very different type of project on the other side of the country. In March, the company finalized the first phase of a major land acquisition in Pittsboro, North Carolina, as part of a nine-step plan to build its second Storyliving by Disney community.
“Storyliving” represents the company’s foray into lifestyle real estate — an ambitious blend of master-planned communities and Disney-themed experiences. The new project, called Asteria, will include approximately 4,000 homes across 1,500 acres of land. According to WRAL News, Disney spent $23.3 million on the first 217 acres, with further phases to follow.
The development, a partnership with Scottsdale-based DMB Development, is being led under the name Stanley Living at CP LLC. Plans have already been submitted to the town of Pittsboro, with public details expected in May. Sales are slated to begin in 2027.
Described as “an oasis for lifelong learners,” Asteria is being designed by Walt Disney Imagineers to include green spaces, public gathering areas, and signature experiences like Disney art classes and immersive storytelling dinners. Cast members will help bring the experience to life, offering “the same friendly Disney service you’ve come to expect.”
While prices have yet to be released, the company’s first Storyliving community — Cotino, in Rancho Mirage, California — features listings ranging from the upper $2 millions to over $4 million.
As Disney adjusts to a shifting industry and workforce, the message seems clear: The future may be smaller and more dispersed — but it’s far from quiet.
Share your thoughts on this story with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
