Storyliving by Disney communities give Disney fans the chance to live in a community that has a touch of Disney magic. These communities may not have Disney characters walking around, but they have the detail, care, and quality that are associated with Disney. Storyliving by Disney debuted in California first with Cotino – A Storyliving by Disney Community. The second Storyliving by Disney community will be in North Carolina. Called Asteria, this community will give residents an incredible place to live with a different location and personality that sees it fit right in with its surroundings. In this case, the architecture is equally beautiful to Cotino but completely different.
Today, Storyliving by Disney revealed new details about the Second Star Club. This will be for residents of Asteria, this new community that is inspired by the natural beauty and spirit of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. The Second Star club is envisioned as the social heart of this new Disney community. It will be a place for neighbors to come together through shared spaces, hands-on learning, and moments of discovery. This follows an idea that guides Asteria’s visions as a place where curiosity, connection, and exploration are daily parts of life. Work is currently underway on this project in Pittsboro with DMB Development. Home sales for Asteria are expected to begin in the fall of 2027, with residents being welcomed home in the fall of 2028.
“To bring Asteria to life, our team is combining the rich traditions of the Piedmont region with the magical storytelling and service that is uniquely Disney,” said Claire Bilby, senior vice president and general manager of Storyliving by Disney. “We are especially excited to introduce the Second Star Club — a welcoming gathering place destined to become the heartbeat of this vibrant community. Imagine meeting up with your neighbors for a tennis match, grabbing a bite where the restaurant staff knows your favorite item, or picking up a new hobby thanks to inspiration from a Disney expert.”
Just as the case with Cotino’s Artisan Club, the Second Star Club is being thoughtfully designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. Residents will find a collection of indoor and outdoor spaces that are designed for different life stages. This includes families, kids, and adults who are 55+. The name of the club pays homage to the celestial compass in the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 1953 classic film, Peter Pan. This is a story that is fueled by wonder and curiosity! These themes will be found throughout the club with subtle, character-inspired details woven into the design. This will give residents and their guests the chance to experience the curiosity and wonder of finding these details.
Second Star Club
The Second Star Club will be the anchor of amenities around Aster Green. Aster Green will be a central gathering lawn that will bring together dining, wellness, creative, and event spaces.
There will be several signature venues that are planned for the Second Star Club. Disney shared that these include:
- Marquet Hall: The club’s two-story signature restaurant will celebrate craftsmanship with engaging design details that inspire members to take a second look including Tinker Bell, who will add a touch of pixie dust to the building’s weather vane. Comfortable indoor and outdoor seating options will be the perfect place to cheer on the home team during the season. Marquet Hall will also include dart boards, ping-pong tables and table-top shuffleboard to keep competitive spirits going.
- Piedmont Proper: A versatile event pavilion with delightful wood details and delicate rosemaling artwork featuring wildlife from beloved Disney stories. This expansive venue will host club events and be available for members to rent for their own celebrations.
- The Studios: These hands-on creative studios will invite members to explore their craft. From learning something new to harnessing their skills, the Studios will feature dedicated spaces equipped with high-tech tools, like laser engravers and fabric printers, supporting local traditions such as woodworking and quilting.
- Wellness Center: A robust fitness and wellness destination that will feature state‑of‑the‑art workout equipment, dedicated lap pool, outdoor sun deck and juice bar designed to support purposeful, healthy living.
- Longtable Lodge: The lodge will provide peace and tranquility for adults 55+ while embracing the spirit of neighborly connection. Featuring a namesake long table, outdoor bocce courts and more, Longtable Lodge will also host dedicated programs and events for adults 55+.
The Second Star club will also include an adult-only pool, a family-friendly pool, a playground, and tennis and pickleball courts. This will be a fantastic place for community and activities.
Throughout the club, residents will find Disney storytelling interwoven into spaces. This will include nods to characters and themes that are inspired by Walt Disney’s love of nature and curiosity. Expect to find references to favorite films like Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Bambi, and more!
Lost Key Cottage
The Lost Key Cottage will stand out at the Second Star Club. This is a first-of-its-kind home that promises to bring the magic of Peter Pan to life in a completely new way. This appears to be a different approach to the Parr House at Cotino. Throughout this five-bedroom home, there will be whimsical details to be found that will allow members to step into the world of Never Land like never before. Just like the Parr House at Cotino, the Lost Key Cottage will be available for members to reserve for overnight stays, to host family gatherings, and to celebrate milestones together.
The Lost Key Cottage will represent Disney’s commitment to creating signature experiences that go far beyond traditional residential amenities. This promises to transform the everyday into the extraordinary.
Magical Programming
Asteria has a focus on discovery, and the programming that is found there will be purposely designed and curated by Disney to spark curiosity and encourage neighbors to come together through shared experiences.
The programs at Asteria will be organized into four thematic pillars, Disney shared. They include:
- Disney Enrichment Programs: Curated experiences that will foster learning and exploration including hands-on local artist workshops, family-friendly craft nights and exhibits from Disney Archives.
- Disney Entertainment and Events: A dynamic calendar of social experiences, from live music and Disney movie nights on Aster Green to themed gatherings and dinners, designed to celebrate Disney’s legacy of storytelling while building community.
- Health and Wellness Activities: Programs that will support mental, emotional and physical well-being such as outdoor yoga, Disney-inspired fitness classes, culinary demonstrations and guided nature hikes.
- Excursions: Themed trips that will offer meaningful connections to local culture. Possible excursions include a visit to a national park with a National Geographic Photographer or volunteer opportunities.
Piedmont Region Gets a Disney Touch
One of the things that makes Storyliving by Disney so magical is that it highlights the local community and adds a Disney touch to it. Imagineers invest an incredible amount of time and effort to research the region and immerse themselves in it. This is part of their efforts to develop the Aster community’s unique theme as a campus of discovery. They do this with the developers, who are their partners in this endeavor. The Second Star Club will be shaped by design principles and storytelling that honor the community and beauty of the Piedmont region. It will also embrace the spirit of curiosity and discovery that Walt Disney held dear.
The Second Star Club is part of Asteria’s first phase of this development. This will also include a sales center, model home village, additional community parks and trails, and an initial release of 300 home sites. There will be more details about the homes and the homebuilders in the coming months.
Storyliving by Disney
The communities that are created by Storyliving by Disney empower and inspire residents to ” write the best chapter of their life story by bringing together thoughtful residential design, Disney service and unmatched programming in places that reflect and celebrate their regions.” This can currently be seen in action in Cotino – A Storyliving by Disney Community. It creates an environment that allows its residents to thrive in multiple ways. Asteria will be building on the Cotino lifestyle being experienced in California.
The Asteria community will be found in Chatham Park, which is just outside the Research Triangle. Disney envisions this 1,500-acre community as a place to celebrate curiosity, connection, and the natural beauty of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. Ultimately, there are plans for over 4,000 residential units. This includes single-family homes and duplexes. Some of the home sites will be specially designated for adults who are 55+. The project is being developed in collaboration between Disney and DMB Development. Homes will be built and sold by third-party homebuilders.
Thoughts on Cotino – A Storyliving by Disney Community:
Asteria will build on the beauty and magic that is found at Cotino – A Storyliving by Disney Community. While the vibe, architecture, and focus might be different, the foundation seems to be very similar. This is a community with a foundation built on connection. This includes connection with others and also with the legacy of Walt Disney.
What do you think of what you are seeing of Asteria so far? What do you think of the Second Star Club? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
