Disney World will soon see a bit of Silicon Valley in its backyard. Airbnb is teaming up with a Miami-based developer, Newgard, to construct a 324-room building in Kissimmee, Florida—a few minutes away from the Disney World theme parks. The complex, which is set to open in early 2018, will be part of a series called “Niido by Airbnb.”
Though Airbnb is referring to the structure as an “apartment” building, it looks kind of like an entrée into the resort hotel business. Tenants will be allowed to rent out their rooms via Airbnb for up to 180 days per year, and will give 3 percent of the profits to Airbnb and 25 percent to Newgard. They will also have to pay $1,300 to $2,000 per month in rent. Airbnb is developing an app that will let tenants arrange check-ins and maid services remotely. There will also be concierge services and a keyless entry system.
Newgard is aiming to build 2,000 units with Airbnb over the next two years, with five additional apartments in the Southeast. The developer’s CEO, Harvey Hernandez, said in a release, “As the cost of living increases, apartment renters are under intense financial pressure. Together with Airbnb, Niido’s unique multifamily home-sharing model provides a powerful solution to this ongoing problem by delivering extra income for tenants while creating enhanced experiences for their guests.”
