Eyesore Anniversary: The Majesty Building marks 25 years

By Jim Carchidi

May 13, 2026

Central Florida’s most infamous construction site has officially been in progress for a quarter-century. Work on the Majesty Building – aka the I4 Eyesore – began in May 2001 and a certificate of occupancy still seems far off. The project has earned a dubious reputation underscored by numerous jokes, hours of news coverage, and an appearance on "Jeopardy!"

Not-so-humble beginnings

The 307-foot-tall Majesty Building remains unfinished after 25 years, but is Seminole County's tallest structure. Photo by Jim Carchidi

The 18-story, 300,000-square-foot office building is the planned headquarters of independent religious broadcaster WACX-TV SuperChannel 55. Owner and CEO Claud Bowers began his Seminole County high-rise project with a debt-free construction plan, intending to proceed in stages as funds became available. Broadcast studios and administrative space were to be built with leasable spaces for office, retail, and conference use.

Approximately $40 million in contributions had come from private donors, but most were in the form of commitments for future donations. The projected two-year timeline was hampered by a lack of available funds and halted by the impacts of the 9-11 attacks. Construction would slowly linger through a number of economic setbacks, from the Great Recession to the COVID-19 pandemic, but fundraising continued to fall short even in the best of times.

Progress moved slowly forward with the concrete structure finally receiving windows in 2004. Lighting was delayed until electricity was installed nearly 14 years later, along with the competition of the parking garage. Yet compliance with city codes and a nominal amount of regular work keeps the site listed as "active."

Orlando Business Journal reported in June 2025 that Bowers announced he was moving his station into the building, but the plan never materialized and the structure remains unoccupied.

Time flies

The Majesty Building timeline has outlasted four U.S. Presidents and three Florida Governors. A few notable moments in history since construction began include:

• SpaceX founded (2002)
• “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (the book) published (2003)
• Facebook founded (2004)
• Hurricane Katrina (2005)
• The first iPhone release (2007)
• NASA retired the Space Shuttle program (2011)
• Orlando Magic players Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner were born
• Tom Brady won all 7 of his Super Bowls
• The Tampa Bay Lighting won all 3 of their Stanley Cup championships

A pop culture icon

The Majesty Building inspired footwear by the Rock 'Em Socks company and a number of gift ideas on Etsy.

The unmistakable facade has inspired merchandise ranging from apparel to greeting cards. But the building reached the highest level of pop-culture stardom this year with a reference on the game show, “Jeopardy!”

A clue on the February 9 broadcast read, "Unfinished after 20 years, an office building in Seminole County, Florida, became known as the 'I-4' this unlovely sight.”

Contestant Drew Goins followed up with the correct answer of “eyesore.”

Another infamous, yet more beloved eyesore from Disney's past.

While there appears to be no plans for a party, builders can always take a cue from Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary and install a cake overlay. On the current construction timeline, it may be ready for the 100-year celebration.

How will you celebrate 25 years of the I4 Eyesore?

Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.

About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.

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