As Chatham County continues to see a boom of growth, a new player is entering the fray to build more housing: the Walt Disney Company.
Storyliving by Disney, a residential management company under the Disney Signature Experiences umbrella, announced plans on Wednesday to bring a new housing community to the Chatham Park area by the end of the decade. The Asteria development is in “the beginning stages of planning with Walt Disney Imagineering and DMB Development,” according to a release from the company, but it will branded and managed by Disney while developed and sold by third-party builders.
“The announcement of the Asteria community builds upon strong initial interest for our first Storyliving by Disney community in California and will expand Disney-branded communities to the East Coast,” said Claire Bilby, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Signature Experiences Emerging Businesses. “Our team has been working closely with Disney Imagineers to develop a unique vision for this project inspired by Walt Disney’s innate curiosity and North Carolina’s spirit of discovery.”
Storyliving by Disney plans for more than 4,000 residential units to be built within Asteria, which will be a mix of single-family homes, multi-family homes and homes designated for 55+ adults. The release said it will fit into the larger Chatham Park community, which is the extensive development project planned and operated by the Preston Development Company around the downtown of Pittsboro. Having first broken ground in 2014, the development is set to continue bringing thousands of new homes to the region after already having opened several neighborhoods, the Mosaic mixed-use community, and parks.
Aerial rendering of Asteria, a new Storyliving by Disney community recently announced in North Carolina. (Photo via Disney) ©Disney
“For nearly 15 years, Chatham Park has set the standard for innovative growth and thoughtful planning,” Preston Development Company Co-founder Julian “Bubba” Rawl said in Wednesday’s release. “We feel an extraordinary sense of responsibility to our residents and the broader community with this project and we’re incredibly fortunate to work with Disney, DMB Development and homebuilders to create something truly special.”
Wednesday’s release did not specify where in the Chatham Park footprint Asteria would be built, but there are several options based on the land designated for the development. Preston Development Company has several parcels set to be part of its North Village by U.S. Highway 64 — and even more land designated for its future South Village neighborhoods that will be built southeast of downtown Pittsboro and near the Haw River.
The Walt Disney Imagineering design firm spent “significant time” researching the region to develop the theme for Asteria — with the neighborhood’s name being based on the aster flower native to North Carolina. Once complete, Storyliving by Disney envisions Asteria being “a campus of discovery” where its residents can explore, learn, and experience a lifestyle unique to Disney’s placemaking. Wednesday release said homeowners will have access to enrichment programs at its clubhouse, like Disney storytelling dinners, lessons with Disney artists, and family days with Disney-themed activities.
Storyliving by Disney said it plans for homes in the Asteria community to be for sale starting in 2027. More information on its communities, including Cotino in California, can be found on the company’s website.
Editor’s Note: The Preston Development Company is an advertiser with the Chapel Hill Media Group. This piece was not paid for and was originally reported by 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com’s news operations.
Photo courtesy of, and copyrighted by, Disney.
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