Andretti Thrill Park Closes After 27 Years, Redevelopment to Bring Affordable Housing in Melbourne
By Space Coast Daily // March 20, 2026
first opened in 1999
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Andretti Thrill Park in Melbourne has closed after 27 years, ending a long run as a popular Space Coast destination for go-karts, arcade games and family entertainment.
The park, located on South Babcock Street, first opened in 1999.
The 16-acre-plus property is now slated for redevelopment as a multifamily housing community. Permit and development information indicate the project will include 324 apartment units across 11 three-story buildings.
Developers say 130 of those apartments are expected to be set aside as affordable housing for households earning up to 80% of Brevard County’s median income, a move aimed at helping address local housing demand as Melbourne and surrounding areas continue to grow.
Project information reviewed this week lists an estimated start in May 2026 and a projected completion in March 2028.
The closure marks the end of an era for many Brevard County families who visited Andretti Thrill Park for birthdays, school outings and weekend fun. At the same time, the redevelopment reflects a broader shift in Melbourne as longtime commercial sites are repurposed to meet the region’s increasing need for housing.
