Build-A-Bear is not playing small anymore. The brand that turned stuffing a teddy bear into a core childhood memory is currently putting the finishing touches on the largest location it has ever built, and it is going up right in the middle of Orlando's busiest tourist corridor. The world's biggest Build-A-Bear Workshop is set to open at ICON Park on International Drive later this year, and the details coming out about what is inside make it clear this is not just a bigger store. It is being built like an attraction.
Construction Is Nearly There
The two-story flagship broke ground on July 31, 2025, and as of this month, the building is closing in on completion. Floor-to-ceiling glass has been installed across large sections, exterior framing is nearly finished, and crews are actively working on the rooftop level and upper facade. A circular rotunda has taken shape that may end up serving as the main entrance, and the structure has already become a visible landmark from around ICON Park.
The catch is that there is still no official opening date. Company officials said during a recent International Drive Chamber presentation that they are targeting the very end of summer 2026, though the timeline could slip into early fall as they wait on approval for one remaining permit. Coming Summer 2026 signage remains posted around the site, and the location is listed as Coming Soon on the ICON Park guest map.
Build-A-Bear Workshop will soon have a spacious, upscale option in Orlando at a new Icon Park location: https://t.co/EmfiR2A9Qo pic.twitter.com/6Lqtu3y8Zf
— Attractions Magazine (@Attractions) July 2, 2026
What Makes This Location Different From Every Other Build-A-Bear
The feature list reads unlike anything the brand has attempted before. The store will include a rooftop area with food and beverages, partially enclosed to handle Florida's unpredictable weather, along with an outdoor courtyard. There have also been reports of a slide built into the design, giving guests a reason to move between the building's levels.
The headline feature, though, is an appointment-based experience on the second floor that company officials describe as the highest level of customization Build-A-Bear has ever created. Guests who book it will leave with a completely one-of-a-kind furry friend, one that no other person on the planet will ever have. For the brand's collector audience, that exclusivity angle is significant.
And that collector audience is bigger than most people realize. Build-A-Bear has confirmed that teens and adults represent 40 percent of its sales, which explains why this location is being designed with multi-generational appeal rather than as a kids-only destination. The rooftop dining, the premium customization tier, and the overall scale all point toward a location built for every demographic walking through ICON Park.
The Design Pedigree Behind It
Build-A-Bear brought in design firm Chute Gerdeman for this project, the same team behind the FAO Schwarz New York flagship, where Build-A-Bear already operates a successful shop-in-shop. The company has described the concept as retail-tainment, part of a multi-year strategic expansion targeting tourist and hospitality destinations specifically.
Orlando was the obvious choice for the biggest swing. ICON Park sits at the center of the city's entertainment district, surrounded by more than 150 hotels, minutes from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld, in a market drawing roughly 74 million visitors annually.
What Happens Next for Build-A-Bear
The existing smaller Build-A-Bear at ICON Park remains open in the meantime, operating 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Once the flagship opens, it will serve as a major upgrade and a new anchor for the brand.
For Orlando visitors already juggling theme park itineraries, this gives International Drive one more stop worth building into the schedule. Watch for the official opening date announcement as summer winds down, because when the world's largest Build-A-Bear finally opens its doors, it is going to draw a crowd.
