The Florida Space Coast's newest development is taking shape near the old Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Exploration Tower, a $150 million mixed-use project, is expected to open in 2026 at the corner of State Road 520 and Wickham Road in Cocoa Village. The project includes office space, hotels, and retail areas designed to serve the growing aerospace sector. "This is about creating a hub for innovation," said project developer Space Coast Development Corp. chairman Tom Kehoe. "We want to make this the front door to the Space Coast."
The 27-acre site, formerly home to the visitor complex, was acquired by the county in 2021. Construction began last year after a $30 million investment from the state's Space Florida agency. The tower's design includes a 20-story structure with 450,000 square feet of commercial space. Nearby, the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A remains active for rocket launches.
Local officials say the project will create 1,200 construction jobs and 800 permanent positions. The first phase includes a 200-room hotel and 100,000 square feet of office space. "We’re seeing a shift in how companies want to locate here," said Brevard County Commissioner George L. Levesque. "They want to be close to both the spaceport and the communities."
The development comes as SpaceX and Blue Origin expand operations in the area. The tower’s location is within 15 miles of both the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. County officials estimate the project could generate $125 million in annual economic activity once fully operational.
Critics have raised concerns about traffic and infrastructure strain. The county is studying a possible extension of the Cocoa Village Parkway to handle increased congestion. Supporters argue the project will help Brevard County compete with other spaceports in Texas and New Mexico. "This is about positioning our region for the next decade," Kehoe said. "We’re not just building a building—we’re building the future."