As Disney expands its Storyliving by Disney concept beyond California, the company is betting big on North Carolina. Developed in partnership with DMB Development and planned within the larger master-planned community, Chatham Park, Asteria will ultimately feature more than 4,000 homes, a Disney-operated social hub called the Second Star Club, and a mix of amenities, programming, and placemaking designed to foster connection across generations.
Inspired by the Piedmont region’s natural beauty and “spirit of discovery,” the community is being shaped by Walt Disney Imagineering and positioned as a year-round destination for residents at every stage of life.
BUILDER tapped Claire Bilby, senior vice president and general manager of Storyliving by Disney, to discuss what drew Disney to North Carolina, how Asteria differs from the company’s first Storyliving community, and why the project has generated such strong interest.
“One of the biggest takeaways has been how much interest there is in the project,” she says. “We know people are excited about Asteria and we’re working hard to create a community that reflects this region and will be a special place for residents to call home.”
Below, Bilby shares more about the vision for Asteria, Disney’s role in the development, and what prospective residents can expect when home sales begin in 2027.
What made North Carolina the right fit for the next Storyliving community?
The minute we saw the site, we knew this could be a special place for our next Storyliving by Disney community. The broader Piedmont region and the town of Pittsboro have a distinct natural beauty and strong sense of place that gave our Disney Imagineers a rich foundation for storytelling. And with the Raleigh area experiencing tremendous growth, Asteria gives us an opportunity to build on that momentum while creating a Disney community rooted in the spirit of this region.
How is Asteria different from Cotino? Who are you building this one for?
Cotino established what makes the Storyliving by Disney lifestyle so special: thoughtful placemaking, Disney service and experiences only Disney can create. Asteria builds on that foundation, but it will have its own character. Shaped by the beauty, traditions, and spirit of North Carolina’s Piedmont region, the community will be a place where curiosity, connection and exploration are part of daily life. Asteria will bring neighbors together through shared spaces, hands‑on learning and everyday moments of discovery. We’re designing it for a mix of residents at different life stages featuring amenities focused on wellness, art, and building meaningful connections.
Courtesy Storyliving by Disney
You’ve described this as a place for multigenerational, year-round living, what does that look like on the ground?
It means creating places where people of different ages can easily spend time together. At the Second Star Club, the social hub of the community, a family might meet for dinner at Marquet Hall, teens can make friends through club activities, parents could try a new art class, and adults 55+ could gather for a special event designed just for them. We’ll have plenty of options to keep kids and visiting grandkids busy and engaged. The goal is for connection to be part of daily life. We’ll create opportunities for those connections through the places we build and the programs and events we host.
With thousands of homes planned, how are you thinking about the mix (first-time buyers, move-up, 55+, etc.)?
Within the first phase, we’re focused on the Second Star Club amenities along with an initial release of just 300 home sites. Asteria is planned to include a range of home types with something for every type of homebuyer from first-timers to adults 55+. We’re planning to have single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and condos with options for different life stages. We know this market includes a wide mix of buyers and our goal is to have options for everyone. We’ll have more details about the community’s home builders soon.
Courtesy Storyliving by Disney
Lost Key Cottage at Asteria’s Second Star Club.
Disney Imagineering is involved, how do you bring that storytelling into a neighborhood without it feeling like a theme park?
With all Storyliving by Disney communities, the storytelling is subtle, warm, and rooted in place. Each community celebrates and complements the surrounding region, creating a home where residents want to be every day and friends and family want to visit.
For Asteria, Disney Imagineers spent a lot of time exploring and learning about the Piedmont region to shape the story and theme of the community. At the Second Star Club, residents will have spaces where the design brings together local craftsmanship and natural beauty infused with classic Disney storytelling. Our goal is for the everyday to feel a little extra magical by focusing on the things we do best—creating memorable places where people spend time together, providing outstanding guest service and creating experiences and activities that can only be found in a Storyliving by Disney community.
How much did the local context (North Carolina’s landscape, the Research Triangle, the “spirit of discovery”) shape the design?
It was essential in shaping the story and informing the design of Asteria. Disney Imagineers invested significant time researching and immersing themselves in the region to develop the Asteria community’s unique theme as a campus of discovery. The community will be shaped by design principles and storytelling that honors the community and beauty of the region while embracing the curiosity and spirit of discovery Walt Disney held dear.
The Second Star Club sounds like the centerpiece, what makes it different from a typical master-planned community clubhouse?
The Second Star Club will be the social heart of the community. The club will bring neighbors together through shared spaces, hands-on learning, and everyday moments of discovery. That idea guides Asteria’s vision as a place where curiosity, connection, and exploration are part of daily life. What will really set it apart are the Disney differences: our approach to service, storytelling, and experiences. Think about learning to draw from a Disney animator, visiting a national park with a National Geographic photographer, or enjoying an exclusive movie premiere with the family.
The Second Star Club will include a collection of indoor and outdoor spaces designed for different life stages including families, kids, and adults 55+. The club’s name is a nod to the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 1953 classic “Peter Pan,” a story fueled by wonder and curiosity. Those themes will show up in surprising ways throughout the club with subtle, character-inspired details woven into the design.
One of my favorite features of the club is Lost Key Cottage. It’s a unique home designed to bring the magic of “Peter Pan” to life in an entirely new way. Every corner of the five-bedroom home will be filled with whimsical details giving club members an opportunity to step into a story like never before. The cottage will be available for members to reserve for overnight stays, to host family gatherings, and celebrate milestones together.
Courtesy Storyliving by Disney
Marquet Hall at Asteria's Second Star Club is planned to be a two-story signature restaurant.
How do you divide roles between Disney, the developer, and the home builders?
Disney’s role in Storyliving by Disney communities is centered on placemaking, service, and programming. Working alongside respected developers and home builders, Disney Imagineers help shape communities to reflect their regions. Disney cast members provide renowned service and Disney-curated programming is designed to bring neighbors together, foster meaningful connections, and create a strong sense of place. Disney also leads sales and marketing efforts for each community and will own and operate the community club.
What’s been the biggest surprise so far as you move from concept to building this in a fast-growing market?
One of the biggest takeaways has been how much interest there is in the project. We know people are excited about Asteria and we’re working hard to create a community that reflects this region and will be a special place for residents to call home.
North Carolina’s topography and landscape are so different from the desert setting at Cotino. That creates new opportunities in community design, outdoor spaces, and the types of homes we can offer.
Additionally, we’re working closely with our development team at DMB to ensure Asteria is developed in a way that respects and fits in with the that makes this community so special. Beyond our amenities for residents, we’re also working to expand the broader Chatham Park community’s network of walking trails and preserving access to the nearby Haw River.
