I get asked about Disney’s community in Chatham Park more than almost anything else these days, usually starting with some version of “wait, is Disney actually building houses here?” Yes — and it’s a real, if early-stage, project called Asteria. Here’s what Storyliving by Disney is, what’s actually happening on the ground at Asteria as of 2026, and an honest read on what’s known versus still unannounced.
What is Storyliving by Disney?
Storyliving by Disney is a residential brand The Walt Disney Company launched in 2022 to develop master-planned communities with input from Disney Imagineers and, in some cases, Disney-affiliated community programming. It is not a theme park, and it is not Disney-owned housing in the sense of a company town — it’s a branding and design partnership with a real estate developer. The first Storyliving community, Cotino in Rancho Mirage, California, broke ground in 2022. Cotino is not age-restricted and its homes have started in the $1 million-plus range, with an optional membership club as its signature amenity. Asteria, inside Chatham Park, is the second Storyliving community and the first outside California. Like Cotino, Asteria is open to all ages — it’s a multi-generational community, not a blanket 55+ development — but unlike Cotino, it does include one dedicated active-adult neighborhood within it, called Longtable Lodge, built specifically for residents 55 and older.
What’s actually happening at Asteria right now
Asteria covers roughly 1,500 acres on the east side of downtown Pittsboro, within the larger Chatham Park footprint. The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners approved the project in May 2025, and site work — clearing land, building roads and utilities — started that June. The developer, DMB Development (based in Scottsdale, Arizona), has said infrastructure work is expected to take 18 to 24 months before home construction can really get going. The initial phase covers about 217 acres and calls for 494 homes — a mix of single-family houses, townhomes, duplexes, and quadplexes — out of roughly 4,000 homes planned for the community at full build-out, most of which will be open to buyers of any age.
The Second Star Club and Longtable Lodge
Disney has released more detail on Asteria’s amenities than on almost anything else about the project. The centerpiece is the “Second Star Club,” a Peter Pan-inspired social campus meant to serve the whole community — it’s planned to include both a general-use pool open to residents of any age and a separate adults-only pool, plus a playground, and tennis and pickleball courts, so it works for a multi-generational mix of residents rather than one age group. Within that broader plan sits Longtable Lodge, the dedicated neighborhood and clubhouse for residents 55 and older, built around a namesake long table for shared meals, outdoor bocce courts, and its own calendar of 55+ programming. It’s a genuinely different model from Del Webb or Encore, where the entire community is age-restricted — at Asteria, the 55+ experience is one neighborhood inside a larger, all-ages village.
Timeline: what’s expected and when
Based on public statements as of 2026, home sales are expected to open in fall 2027, with the first residents anticipated in fall 2028. Beyond the Second Star Club and Longtable Lodge, planned amenities include a wellness center, a community garden, and a trail system through the site’s natural landscape.
What’s known versus still unannounced
| Known as of 2026 | Not yet announced |
|---|---|
| Multi-generational, open to all ages | Home pricing |
| One dedicated 55+ neighborhood (Longtable Lodge) | Full builder lineup and specific floor plans |
| ~4,000 homes planned at full build-out | HOA structure and dues |
| ~217-acre, 494-home first phase | Firm delivery dates beyond general estimates |
| Site work underway since mid-2025 | Whether fall 2027/2028 dates hold — large developments often shift |
A realistic take
I think Asteria is a genuinely interesting project, and a Disney-branded community choosing Chatham County is a real vote of confidence in this area — not just marketing. But I’d be doing you a disservice if I framed it as a finished amenity you can tour and buy into this year. As of 2026, it’s still in infrastructure work, with home sales roughly a year out and residents further than that. Buying into Asteria today, once sales open, means buying a Disney-level design vision and the promise of a wellness center, clubhouse, and social campus that don’t exist yet — the same trade-off as buying pre-construction anywhere, just with better landscaping renderings. It’s not a knock on the project; it’s just the honest stage it’s at.
Who it may suit
Asteria is worth watching closely if your move-in timeline is flexible into 2027 or beyond and you’re specifically drawn to Disney’s design and programming pedigree rather than needing an established community with a track record. Because it’s multi-generational, it’s a fit for a wider range of buyers than a straight 55+ community — families, younger buyers, and multi-generational households, not just retirees. If you’re 55 or older and want the active-adult experience specifically, Longtable Lodge is the piece to watch, though it’s the same early stage as the rest of Asteria. If you want to move sooner, or you’d rather see a finished clubhouse before you sign anything, the two established 55+ communities in Chatham Park — Del Webb and Encore — are worth touring first.
I track Asteria closely so my clients hear about real updates, not just press releases. Visit the Asteria community page, read the full Chatham Park living guide, browse Find Your Home, or call me at (919) 646-3080 to be kept in the loop as real information comes out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Storyliving by Disney the same as a Disney theme park community?
No. Storyliving by Disney is a residential brand for master-planned communities developed with Disney Imagineering input and Disney-affiliated programming. It’s not a theme park, resort, or vacation property — these are year-round primary or secondary residences.
When can I buy a home at Asteria?
Home sales are expected to open in fall 2027, with the first residents anticipated in fall 2028, based on public statements as of 2026. Asteria is currently in infrastructure work — roads and utilities — rather than home construction.
Is Asteria age-restricted?
No, not as a whole. Asteria is planned as a multi-generational community open to residents of any age, similar to Disney’s first Storyliving community, Cotino in California. The difference is that Asteria includes one dedicated 55+ neighborhood within it, called Longtable Lodge, for buyers who want an active-adult section specifically.
How big will Asteria be?
Asteria is planned across roughly 1,500 acres within Chatham Park, with about 4,000 homes at full build-out. The initial phase covers about 217 acres and 494 homes.