Harry Potter Theme Park In Hollywood: NBCUniversal's $1.6 Billion 'Evolution Plan' Takes Shape

Harry Potter Fans, Rejoice!
Harry Potter films star Daniel Radcliffe, right, cheers with the crowd, with co-star Rupert Grint during the official grand opening at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, Friday, June 18, 2010. (Photo by Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images)
Harry Potter films star Daniel Radcliffe, right, cheers with the crowd, with co-star Rupert Grint during the official grand opening at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, Friday, June 18, 2010. (Photo by Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images)

Muggles on the West Coast can ready their wannabe broomsticks and wands because the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is bringing its magic to Hollywood.

NBCUniversal announced Tuesday that the L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved its 25-year "Evolution Plan," which will begin with construction on the new iteration of Florida's decadent Harry Potter attraction. Work on the Hogwarts-themed destination will begin in the later summer, as will upgrades to Universal Studios' TV production facilities and office space, according to Deadline Hollywood. The expansions are expected to cost $1.6 billion and will eventually include a hotel and retail opportunities.

Plans for the Hollywood park were first established in December 2011, but the board of supervisors' vote solidifies the initiative. NBCU expects the park to reel in about $2 billion in economic growth for the city and to create more than 30,000 jobs.

This isn't the first expansion of J.K. Rowling's works. In addition to the Orlando park, which opened in the summer of 2010, Universal Studios is bringing the Harry Potter park to Japan, with constructed expected to be complete in late 2014.

Read NBCU's full press release here:

UNIVERSAL CITY, California, April 23, 2013 – NBCUniversal announced today plans to begin construction of the first projects of its 25-year Evolution Plan. The Evolution Plan represents a $1.6 billion investment in tourism and production. This long-term investment in two industries that are vital to Los Angeles will create more than 30,000 jobs and generate $2 billion of economic activity during operations for the region.

“After nearly a decade of work on the Evolution Plan, today’s vote sets the stage for our next 100 years in Los Angeles,” said Ron Meyer, president and COO of Universal Studios. “We are thankful for the support and leadership we have received from both the County and City of Los Angeles and are ready to get started investing in these important tourism and production projects in the next few months.”

Starting in late summer, NBCUniversal will begin construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed land at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, as well as new and upgraded television production facilities, office space and infrastructure on the Universal Studios lot. These projects represent a nearly $500 million investment in the Los Angeles economy and the creation of more than 2,000 construction jobs alone.

“We thank Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, the entire Board of Supervisors, and County staff for providing us the path to bring much needed jobs and investment to Los Angeles,” said Corinne Verdery, Chief Real Estate Development and Planning Officer, NBCUniversal. “The working relationship we have built with the community was invaluable in developing our future plan and we are grateful to our nearly 7,500 supporters and union partners who have been with us every step of the way. We look forward to bringing The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood, forever changing the face of tourism in Los Angeles.”

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be a fully immersive experience for the entire family designed to bring the Harry Potter fiction and films to life with impeccable detail and authenticity. Similar to the dynamic Universal Orlando Resort themed land that opened in 2010, the Hollywood experience will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle that will serve as the centerpiece of the impressively themed environment. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a collaboration between Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts.

On the Universal Studios lot, NBCUniversal will upgrade existing production facilities and add new capabilities to better respond to the needs of television production. In addition, NBCUniversal is looking to create modern offices that will house everything from post-production services to traditional office space.

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