AREA15, the immersive art and entertainment district in Las Vegas, has announced plans to bring its award-winning concept to Orlando, Florida. The new location is expected to open in 2024 and will be located in the heart of the city’s tourist corridor, off Interstate 4.
The Orlando site will feature a 300,000-square-foot structure on 17 acres, and there will be over 150,000 square feet of leasable retail space available.
An ideal city for second location
Since opening in Las Vegas, AREA15 has created over 1,000 new jobs and launched 20 attractions and experiences. It welcomed almost 2 million visitors in the first year. AREA15 Orlando will continue to fully embrace the experience economy, welcoming guests of all ages to enjoy a range of attractions, art installations, retail offerings, restaurants and bars, and more, all under one roof. It will also host events, art exhibitions, nightlife and shows.
“AREA15 was built for today’s social dynamics,” says Winston Fisher, AREA15 CEO. “Sophisticated consumers are gravitating toward artful new forms of entertainment where the lines between commerce and the experience economy blur.
“AREA15 Orlando is the ideal city for our second location, providing an ecosystem where innovative design, best-in-class attractions, integrated storytelling, monumental art installations, extraordinary technology and distinctive retail thrive together.”
AREA15’s chief creative officer, Michael Beneville, adds: “AREA15 looks forward to cultivating a collaborative spirit with Orlando’s creative community, as well as adding a distinctive new destination within the city’s world-famous tourism corridor. We’re all immensely energized by the possibilities our Orlando development offers.”
Award-winning AREA15 brings benefits to Orlando
As well as being named as number one in blooloop’s list of the world’s top immersive art experiences, AREA15 in Las Vegas has been recognised with several honours. This includes being named “Best Immersive Art Experience” by USA Today, winning 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards and being listed as one of “The 10 Most Innovative Urban Development and Real Estate Companies of 2020” by Fast Company.
It was also named “Reader’s Choice—Best Attraction” by Las Vegas Weekly, and “Best Arts Hub” by Vegas Magazine.
Talking of the benefits it will bring to Orlando’s business and tourism sectors, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings says:
“We look forward to welcoming AREA15 to Central Florida. In addition to the synergy with our world-class theme park and entertainment industries, AREA15 will amplify the region’s efforts to lead in the arts and culture space.”
Nicole Wilson, District 1 commissioner, Orange County, adds, “We are delighted to welcome AREA15 to District 1. Their team has been a great partner in sustainable building efforts such as usage of solar power. The AREA15 art and entertainment complex will bring compelling jobs to the region and propel our local arts scene.”
“AREA15 is an exciting addition to our region’s roster of world-class attractions that will enhance our destination’s arts and culture offerings for both leisure and meetings visitors from around the world,” says Casandra Matej, president and chief executive officer, Visit Orlando.
