Orlando, Fla. — (April 11, 2016) — Fans of the Japanese cartoon feline with the famous bow can soon say hello to Hello Kitty in Orlando, thanks to a major renovation at Universal Studios headed by JK2 Construction.
The company, a leader in Florida’s construction and building industry, served as general contractor for the work on the more than 5,000-square-foot space, which now houses the Hello Kitty interactive retail experience, as well as a Betty Boop store and a Universal area.
The building features about 3,000 square feet of Hello Kitty space, decorated with bright, animated characters. At the center, there is just under 1,000 square feet of Universal retail space, and further along, there is about 1,000 square feet of Betty Boop space, decorated in the animated character’s signature red and black.
The space was originally the home of an attraction centered on memorabilia from the TV show “I Love Lucy.”
Rick Amundson, the vice president of the Construction Division, said JK2 headed up the more than $1.5 million renovation of the space.
“The only thing we left were the walls and roof,” Amundson said.
JK2 also made some changes outside, updating the building’s façade.
“We’ve been doing this type of work at Universal Studios for almost 30 years,” said JK2 President Paul Holmes. “This is just another completed job in a long line of exceptional projects, and we’re proud of that.”
The company also built the famed Universal Studios Orlando archway entrance.
About JK2 Construction & Scenic
JK2 Construction & Scenic, a family-owned company founded in 1987, has evolved into a unique company combining two divisions of construction. The JK2 Construction Division specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity, resort hotels and time share projects. The JK2 Scenic Division designs and builds themed architectural millwork, custom props and fabricates specialty items for the retail, major attractions, entertainment, hospitality and restaurant industries. JK2 has completed projects throughout the nation including work for major theme parks, themed restaurants and national home builders. JK2 is a trusted, respected and valued partner who builds with a creative project approach and has principal level involvement in every project. For more information, visit http://www.jk2.com.