Philadelphians looking to escape the city will soon be able to depart for the digital realm.
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Sandbox VR and LOL Entertainment are bringing a new virtual reality experience to 1712 Walnut St. in Rittenhouse, the latest entrant to the city's growing roster of immersive retail venues prepared to open this year, according to an announcement Wednesday.
The venue is expected to open around April 2025 in the space owned by Midwood Investment and Development.
Patrons will be able to fight zombies, explore sci-fi landscapes and solve mysteries through immersive VR headsets paired with body sensors. The technology can accommodate groups of up to six.
LOL Entertainment also owns five Museum of Illusions locations, including the one in Philadelphia, where the company was formed.
“As someone who grew up in the area, I know how perfectly this location fits the city's vibrant tech and entertainment scene,” LOL CEO Rob Cooper said in a statement.
“Partnering with Sandbox VR to transform this historic Walnut Street space into a cutting-edge virtual reality destination shows our commitment to Philadelphia's growth as a hub for innovative entertainment. We're particularly excited to join the thriving Rittenhouse retail hub and create new jobs in the neighborhood where our company's story began.”
The Philadelphia location is one of four new experiences Sandbox VR has planned for the region. The other three are coming to Boston, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
“We have seen a lot of customer demand on the East Coast and are excited to collaborate with LOL Entertainment to grow our presence in the region to meet that demand,” Sandbox CEO Steve Zhao said.
The Philly Sandbox location will be located in the same building that currently houses a Saatva mattress store. It is the latest experiential retail outlet to announce it will plant roots in the city, joining Netflix House, set to open at King of Prussia Mall later this year, and the 40K SF Otherworld Philadelphia, an immersive experience featuring games and work from local artists.
VR technology is also becoming an increasingly important tool in the commercial real estate industry.
Companies such as industrial and multifamily developer CRG use similar headsets to render early designs. This gives them an opportunity to explore the space and make adjustments before the blueprints are finalized.
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