The Cove at Port Canaveral

As a major cruise ship port, Port Canaveral has envisioned a newly redeveloped, visitor oriented waterfront for decades. Port Canaveral has many people coming and going, who would be well served with additional amenities and places to stay before their cruise. Concept focuses the mass and energy of the project around a large open park and the strong linear promenade on the waterfront. The inclusion of an Information Center and museum, as well as a large open-air amphitheater provide additional attractions for tourists and locals alike. Huitt-Zollars provided a masterplan that took the port’s vision and gave it form by creating a walkable and event friendly environment in the center of a former industrial port area. Working from the results of a previously conducted public visioning session and with a separate market study commissioned by the port, the design concept is based around a waterfront promenade interspersed with event plazas and stand-alone smaller scale structures providing a sequence of views to the water. The landside edge is defined by a light industrial architectural vernacular reminiscent of the original port buildings, but purpose built as restaurant, dining, and entertainment venues. The plan also incorporated these architectural elements to form view corridors that provide visual links and pedestrian pathways to the iconic Exploration Tower and Visitor Center recently completed near the center of the property.