Chuck Whittall

Chuck (Charles) Whittall (born January 31, 1966) is an American developer, investor, philanthropist, and father based in Orlando, Florida. He is the founder, CEO, and President of Unicorp National Developments, INC.
Early Life
Chuck Whittall was born on January 31, 1966. He grew up in Winter Park, Florida. He went to Brookshire Elementary, Glenridge Middle, and Winter Park High School, all located in Orange County, Florida. He grew up under the guidance of his father and grandfather, who are both firemen in Central Florida. At age 12, he started and ran a lawn business. At age 18, he started a teenage nightclub.
Whittall then pursued and received his Class-A General Contractors License and formed a construction company that he owned and operated for several years before venturing into the world of real estate development.
Starting Unicorp
With Whittall's Class-A General Contractors Licence, he formed a construction company where he would design custom homes. Several years later, Whittall ventured into the real estate development industry. In 1998, Whittall founded Unicorp National Developments Inc. Among Whittall’s first projects, he began building Eckard Drugs, which then lead to developing Walgreens in 16 different states and more developing opportunities for Whittall.
Establishing Unicorp
Whitall’s developments of Walgreens in 16 different states accelerated the growth for Unicorp National Developments Inc. He began designing and constructing numerous retail developments, town centers, and luxury apartment complexes all while building over 100 drug stores. He developed the Fountains at Bay Hill on Sandlake Road in Orlando, Florida, housing restaurants and businesses such as Ruth’s Chris Steak House, CVS, Moon Fish, and Melting Pot. Whittall established Lakeside Winter Park, a mixed-use retail center that brought Trader Joes to Orlando in 2014. While working on Lakeside Winter Park, Whittall was also developing the 17-acre property ICON Orlando 360, a large entertainment center housing with anchoring attractions ICON Orlando and Orlando StarFlyer. While he was developing La Vina Village, Dellagio, and six more drugstores amidst a recession in the early 2000s, he built West Broad Village in Virginia, which he then sold after in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Current Career
Whittall has grown Unicorp National Developments with projects spanning across Central Florida, Virginia, and Michigan. His projects to date have an aggregate value of more than $3 billion. Unicorp is a preferred Wawa developer in the state of Florida, with projects ranging from Miami to North Florida. He is a key proponent for bringing Lucky’s Market and Trader Joes to the Central Florida area through his developments of Griffin Farm, Lakeside Winter Park, and Parkside. Griffin Farm, known as one of the most exciting developments in Lake Mary history, is a 33-acre commercial and residential project that will include 178 townhouses, 268 apartment units, 136,700 sq ft of retail, including a 32,000 sq ft grocer and a 37,200 sq ft fitness center. Pairing mixed-use retail with a multimedia entertainment complex, Whittall developed the ICON Orlando 360 property. International Drive was struggling when he purchased Mercado, but his development efforts rejuvenated I-Drive and re-established tourism away from theme parks. Branching away from Florida, Whittall began developments in 2016 on Troy City Center in Troy, Michigan. The property includes a 286-unit luxury apartment development, outlot tenants Seasons 52, Yardhouse, and Shake Shack.
Whittall is developing O-Town West, a project spanning 86 acres in between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando fronting I-4. The project consists of 3 unique developments: The Boardwalk at O-Town West, The Village at O-Town West, and The Crossings at O-Town West. The Boardwalk at O-Town West will feature vibrant shops, restaurants, and entertainment experiences overlooking a $3 milion dancing water show with state of the art video mapping. It will also feature over 150,000 sq ft of retail across two stories. The Village at O-Town West will feature 1,500 upscale multifamily units with resort-like amenities. A national grocer, gas, multiple fast food restaurants, and small retail shops will be on the same property. The Crossings at O-Town West will feature 5 freestanding retail pads fronting I-4, which consists of restaurant and retail space.
Unicorp National Developments is currently focusing its efforts on the construction of St. Regis Hotel and Residences, a 2.3-acre area that sits on 18 acres of beach, is planned to be a 5-star luxury resort and condominium in Long Boat Key, Florida. Formerly known as The Colony, there was controversy trying to procure this property as there is a historical stature preventing demolition.
Awards
Chuck Whittall was named Developer of the Year in Orlando Business Journal’s 2017 Structures Awards. Whittall was inducted in the Dick Pope Hall of Fame on November 13, 2015. The Dick Pope Legacy Awards are given to honorees in the areas of Lodging, Foodservices, Travel, Meetings, Conventions, Entertainment, and Attractions within the state of Florida.
Charity Involvement
Whittall is an active philanthropist. In 2018, he set a record for raising over $400,000 dollars for the American Heart Association in Central Florida; most recently being recognized as their first 2019 Legacy Honoree. Whittall was appointed Chairman of the AMA in 2017. He is a donor to Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center as well as various other charities in Orlando, Florida.
Press
Whittall is listed #5 in Orlando Magazine's “”
Personal Life/Family
Whittall is a husband and father to a wife and daughter in Orlando, Florida, where they all reside. He races luxury cars Lamborghini, Mcclaron, and Aston Martin as a hobby. Whittall is known to be an avid watch collector and world traveler, often taking his team on trips in his private jet.

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