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Area15

Coordinates: 36°07′56″N 115°10′51″W / 36.132175°N 115.180782°W / 36.132175; -115.180782
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For other uses, see Area 15.
Entrance to AREA15

AREA15 is an experiential retail and entertainment complex located in Las Vegas, Nevada, one mile west of the Las Vegas Strip. It houses several major experiential entertainment residencies and includes sculptures and other art displays, as well as alcohol outlets and a restaurant.

AREA15 is a joint project between Fisher Brothers and Beneville Studios. Plans for the project date to 2016, and the opening was initially scheduled for December 2019. However, new ideas for the project pushed back its opening. Portions of the facility were eventually opened on September 17, 2020. Large sections of AREA15 are occupied by two feature installations: Omega Mart, and Lost Spirits.[1][2] Omega Mart is an interactive art installation that is operated by experiential art collective Meow Wolf.[3] Lost Spirits is a football field sized installation and includes a fully functional distillery housed in a dreamlike world.[4]

History

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Conception and opening

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Sign outside AREA15

AREA15 is located one mile west of the Las Vegas Strip,[5] beside Interstate 15.[6] The land was previously occupied by a Mercedes-Benz dealership. Fisher Brothers purchased the site and nearby acreage in 2005, with plans for a mixed-use project on the parcels. These plans were derailed due to the financial crisis of 2007–2008, and the project was never built. In 2016, planning began to develop AREA15 on the site of the former dealership.[6][7] It is a joint project between Fisher Brothers and Beneville Studios.[8][9] Winston Fisher and Michael Beneville determined that an original concept was needed for their project to adequately compete with the Strip.[6] They eventually decided on an entertainment and retail complex with a science-fiction theme.[8][9] Meow Wolf had originally planned to open a project in downtown Las Vegas with the assistance of Tony Hsieh. This plan did not work out, but Meow Wolf still decided to proceed with a project in the city, eventually teaming up with AREA15.[10]

Winston Fisher described AREA15 as an event center inspired by shopping malls and theme parks.[11] The project's slogan is, "AREA15 does not exist." Fisher said, "I had a desire to make something original, something different. I wanted to make something that doesn't exist." He further said, "This couldn't have existed in 2005 anyway. Meow Wolf didn't exist. A lot of the technology we're using didn't exist." The project's name is a reference to Area 51, but it also refers to Fisher Brothers' founding in 1915 and the adjacent Interstate 15.[6] The name was originally meant only as a working title.[12]

AREA15 was originally set to open in December 2019,[13][14] with Meow Wolf as its anchor tenant.[9][15][16] Nomadic, a virtual reality company, was announced as the facility's second tenant in May 2019, set to occupy 6,000 sq ft (560 m2).[17] A month later, it was announced that Emporium, a bar and arcade, would occupy another 10,000 sq ft (930 m2).[14] Prospective retail tenants had to offer unique elements to qualify for a space.[6][18] AREA15's opening date was delayed until January 2020,[19] and was subsequently delayed further, as new ideas and features were implemented.[13] This included an indoor zip line, which required additional steel, necessary to reinforce the ceiling. AREA15 was later scheduled to open for private events in February 2020, followed by a public opening three or four months later.[20]

Portions of AREA15 were eventually opened on September 17, 2020.[21][22][23] AREA15 has capacity for approximately 7,000 people, although upon opening, it was limited to 750 to allow for social distancing, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] Reservations were also required in order to control capacity.[24] Meow Wolf's plans were delayed until early 2021, due to the pandemic.[25]

Features

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The Spine, which is the main hall, inside Area15

AREA15 has various features,[21][26] many of which are housed within a large, charcoal-colored building.[18][27] Describing the building's minimal exterior appearance, Michael Beneville said, "I love Las Vegas—the lights and the glitz. We knew that we couldn't even try to do something that could outdo the casinos."[12] One side of the building's exterior features a giant abstract mural.[28] The building measures 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2).[29] Art Island, an outdoor art gallery, is located in front of the facility. It includes several sculptures,[30] which come from the annual Burning Man festival and are available for sale.[12] Also located in front of the building is an old airplane, on display in the parking lot.[20][13]

The interior includes a main hall known as The Spine,[18][13] which is lit with blacklights and neon colors.[13][21] The Spine is 80 feet wide, 300 feet long, and 32 feet high.[29] Meow Wolf's project, known as Omega Mart, occupies space on the Spine's west side, while two floors of various tenants are located on the east side.[18] The interior entrance includes a 12-foot-tall, 360-degree projection mapped skull.[13][12] The Spine also includes Oddwood, an indoor bar with a giant, artificial Japanese maple tree that is made with thousands of LED lights.[18][19] An indoor lounge and private events space, known as Sanctuary, features a volcano-shaped canopy.[13] The Portal is a large room with four projection mapped walls, capable of simulating various environments.[13][31][32][33][34] The Portal hosted the 2022 Best of Vegas awards by Las Vegas Weekly.[35][36]

Another attraction, Birdly, simulates the experience of flying over large cities.[13][37] Museum Fiasco is a 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) kunsthalle museum with an emphasis on light and sound.[38][39][40][41] Other features include an indoor axe-throwing lounge,[42][43] an ice cream shop, and the Haley's Comet zip line rollercoaster (Rollglider), which travels through the Spine.[13] In late 2020, AREA15 operated a temporary Christmas attraction known as Wanderland, consisting of an outdoor tree-lined village.[44][45] A temporary roller-skating rink operated in early 2021.[46]

Chris Wink, a founder of the Blue Man Group, is AREA15's director of content,[47][32] and the facility includes a 1,500 sq ft (140 m2) mirror room known as Wink World,[48][49][50] opened in January 2021.[51] At the end of the month, chef Todd English opened a restaurant at AREA15 known as The Beast.[52][53] Prior to opening in its permanent location at the facility, The Beast operated as a pop-up restaurant, occupying an outdoor events area.[54][55][31] In February 2021, a 6,300 sq ft (590 m2) golf simulator attraction was added,[56][57] and Emporium opened its arcade and bar.[58][59]

Meow Wolf's Omega Mart is an interactive walk-through art exhibit that is themed after a grocery store. It measures 52,000 sq ft (4,800 m2) and includes items for purchase.[25][60][61][62] Meow Wolf spent three and a half years planning Omega Mart,[10][63] and more than 325 artists worked on the project.[64] It opened on February 18, 2021.[65][66]

In 2021, AREA15 also added a four-acre, outdoor event space known as The Grounds. It was built on the former site of Scandia Family Fun Center, and would be used for concerts and festivals.[67][68] Later in the year, The Grounds hosted the Daytime Stage for the iHeartRadio Music Festival.[69][70]

AREA15 also added the Lost Spirits distillery in 2021.[71] It is a distillery housed within a dreamlike cluster of tasting rooms themed around the company's distilled spirits. It is often described by journalists as a "boozy amusement park" or "Willy Wonka for adults."[72]

Illuminarium, a multisensory virtual reality attraction, opened in 2022.[73] The Wall, a music and events venue, was added in 2023.[74] At that time, AREA15 included two retailers, while entertainment-focused tenants occupied the remaining spaces.[75]

In January 2023, Universal Destinations & Experiences announced a new "horror experience," which will be named Universal Horror Unleashed and be the anchor tenant in a 20-acre expansion of AREA15.[76] Unlike Universal's temporary Halloween Horror Nights events, it will be a permanent and year-round fixture, occupying a 110,000 square-foot space.[77][78][79][80] Another phase of expansion was announced in October 2023, and would include a hotel and nightclub, as well as 1,341 residential units. It would also feature office, retail and dining space.[81]

In February 2024, Lionsgate has announced a partnership with Area15 to open the John Wick Experience, an attraction based on the eponymous film series and the fourth attraction in Las Vegas to be themed to the studio's films after the Saw and Blair Witch escape rooms and The Hunger Games: The Exhibition at the MGM Grand, to open later this year. Chad Stahelski and his company 87North Productions were involved in the overall design of the experience, which will allow guests to step into the Las Vegas Continental and be tasked with high-stakes missions, as well as visiting a themed bar and retail shop.[82]

Cancelled Orlando location

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A second location was scheduled to open in Orlando, Florida in 2024.[83][84]However, due to a lack of groundbreaking, construction worker shortage and the approval never pending, the project was cancelled.

References

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  1. ^ "Down the rum rabbit hole: The booze fantasia at Lost Spirits Distillery". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  2. ^ "ART: Area 15 | Meo Wolf". NoHo Arts District. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  3. ^ Monroe, Rachel (May 1, 2019). "Can an art collective become the Disney of the experience economy?". New York Times.
  4. ^ Baltin, Steve. "A First Look At Lost Spirits Las Vegas, The Distillery Tour That Is A World Like No Other". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  5. ^ Dickstein, David (September 25, 2020). "Travel: Ready to return to Vegas? Here's what's new". Orange County Register. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e Karel, Janna (February 15, 2019). "Area15 bringing art, tech, Meow Wolf experience to Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  7. ^ Millward, Wade Tyler (January 18, 2018). "Art, shopping, superheroes inspiration for Las Vegas attraction". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Millward, Wade Tyler (September 13, 2018). "Las Vegas sci-fi entertainment project to have art gallery". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c Raz, Nicole (October 4, 2018). "The Ladder: Jim Heilmann leaves Fashion Show mall for AREA15". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Sheckells, Melinda (February 16, 2021). "Inside Meow Wolf's New Omega Mart Interactive Experience in Las Vegas". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  11. ^ Carter, Geoff (March 2, 2023). "Winston Fisher, CEO of Las Vegas' attraction mecca Area15, invites you to jump down the rabbit hole". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d Cascone, Sarah (September 22, 2020). "Not All Burning Man Art Gets Incinerated". Artnet. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Janna Karel (September 17, 2020). "What is Area15? The new entertainment complex opened Thursday". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  14. ^ a b Karel, Janna (June 18, 2019). "Arcade bar Emporium to join Meow Wolf at Area15 in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Karel, Janna (December 23, 2019). "Meow Wolf to bring portals, mystery, robots to Las Vegas in 2020". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  16. ^ "Las Vegas: New things to look forward to in 2020". Los Angeles Times. December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  17. ^ Karel, Janna (May 15, 2019). "VR company Nomadic to join Meow Wolf at Area15 in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d e Carter, Geoff (August 1, 2019). "Raiding Area15: Learn what's happening inside that giant black box (as far as we know)". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Karel, Janna (August 7, 2019). "Area15 in Las Vegas announces addition of bar with giant, twinkling tree". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Karel, Janna (December 17, 2019). "Todd English, zip line and airplane to call Area15 home". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  21. ^ a b c Moon Reed, C. (September 17, 2020). "Guiding you through new Las Vegas interactive hub Area15". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  22. ^ Karel, Janna (September 1, 2020). "Area15 to open Sept. 17 with art cars, mirror rooms, distillery". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  23. ^ Stapleton, Susan; Martin, Bradley (September 2, 2020). "Everything to Know About Area15, the Interactive Experience With Food and Drink". Eater. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  24. ^ Glusac, Elaine (October 6, 2020). "Sizing Up the Rural-Urban Travel Divide: Who's Up and Who's Down". The New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Meow Wolf was set to transform themed entertainment in Vegas and beyond. Then came the pandemic". Los Angeles Times. August 8, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  26. ^ Komenda, Ed (September 17, 2020). "AREA15, Las Vegas' mysterious 'experience box,' is opening Thursday". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  27. ^ Carter, Geoff (September 1, 2020). "Area15 sets a September opening date". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  28. ^ Karel, Janna (April 3, 2020). "Massive Meow Wolf mural at Area15 takes root". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Q&A With Fisher Brothers & Area15's Winston Fisher". Commercial Observer. November 17, 2020. 2:10. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  30. ^ Karel, Janna (June 25, 2020). "Area15's Art Island has massive festival artworks on display". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  31. ^ a b "The Beast Pop-Up by Todd English now open at AREA15". KTNV. October 2, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  32. ^ a b Katsilometes, John (September 22, 2020). "Area15 Raiders party thunders with ambient drums". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  33. ^ Stapleton, Susan (November 17, 2020). "Watch the Las Vegas Raiders in an Off-the-Wall Experience at Area15". Eater. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  34. ^ Mills, Sadë (November 16, 2020). "Gallerie 360 at AREA15 serving up imaginative drink experience". KSNV. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  35. ^ "2022 Best of Vegas Party At Area15". Las Vegas weekly. June 16, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  36. ^ Overton, Stephanie (June 10, 2022). "Best of Las Vegas Awards to be held at AREA15". KLAS. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  37. ^ Roberts-Garcia, Michelle (September 23, 2020). "Las Vegas' New Neon Art Exhibit Looks Like A Trippy Wonderland". Narcity. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  38. ^ Stapleton, Susan (October 21, 2020). "Museum Fiasco Futuristic Exhibits to Area15 in November". Eater. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  39. ^ Mills, Sadë (November 17, 2020). "Museum Fiasco launches inaugural exhibit 'Cluster' at AREA15". KSNV. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  40. ^ "Museum Fiasco now open at AREA15". KTNV. November 17, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  41. ^ Katsilometes, John (November 10, 2020). "'Cluster' lights up your life at Museum Fiasco at Area15". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  42. ^ Karel, Janna (October 2, 2019). "Axe-throwing to join experiential lineup at Area15 in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  43. ^ "New indoor ax-throwing lounge to open at AREA15". KTNV. December 10, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  44. ^ "Area15 opens Wanderland for holiday season". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  45. ^ Tuttle, Brittani (December 2, 2020). "Area15's Wanderland outdoor holiday experience now open". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  46. ^ Lilly, Caitlin (January 29, 2021). "AREA15 in Las Vegas opens 'ElectroRoll' pop-up roller skating rink". KVVU. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  47. ^ Katsilometes, John (July 25, 2019). "A former Blue Man winds up in Area15 in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  48. ^ Katsilometes, John (January 10, 2021). "Area 15's Wink World a splash of neon dreams". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  49. ^ Davis-Friedman, Samantha (August 25, 2020). "Wink World is coming to AREA15 Las Vegas this fall from co-founder of Blue Man Group". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  50. ^ Mills, Sadë (November 10, 2020). "AREA15 adds Aliume 3-D Psychedelic Art Gallery to their list of experiences". KSNV. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  51. ^ "Blue Man Group co-founder opens new AREA15 attraction". KTNV. January 7, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  52. ^ Stapleton, Susan (January 25, 2021). "Chef Todd English Reveals His Food Hall at Area15 With Dishes From His Global Empire". Eater. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  53. ^ Durano, Genevie (February 11, 2021). "Todd English's food hall, the Beast, debuts at Las Vegas' Area15". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  54. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (September 17, 2020). "Pandemic prompts Area15 to pivot to a pop-up restaurant". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  55. ^ Stapleton, Susan (September 22, 2020). "Chef Todd English Unleashes the Beast Pop-Up Food Experience on an Unsuspecting Las Vegas". Eater. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  56. ^ Katsilometes, John (January 31, 2021). "Area15 breaks out the Five Iron Golf virtual club". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  57. ^ "New urban golf experience opening at AREA15". KTNV. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  58. ^ "Emporium Arcade Bar now open at AREA15". KTNV. February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  59. ^ Stapleton, Susan (February 5, 2021). "Mural-Lined Walls Come Together With Arcade Games and Local Beers at Emporium Arcade Bar". Eater. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  60. ^ Karel, Janna (August 11, 2020). "Meow Wolf in Las Vegas to sell bizarre items, portals to other worlds". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  61. ^ Vitu, Teya (August 10, 2020). "Meow Wolf unveils 'Omega Mart' as its Las Vegas attraction". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  62. ^ Zara, Christopher (August 11, 2020). "Here's a preview of Meow Wolf's trippy new Las Vegas grocery store—fingers crossed for 2021". Fast Company. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  63. ^ Harrison, Tyler (February 17, 2021). "'Omega Mart' exhibit opens doors on Thursday at AREA15". KVVU. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  64. ^ Szydelko, Paul (January 25, 2021). "Omega Mart brings an 'immersive art experience' to Meow Wolf in Las Vegas". Travel Weekly. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  65. ^ Martens, Todd (February 17, 2021). "Meow Wolf's Omega Mart is opening in Las Vegas in a pandemic. What to know". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  66. ^ Karel, Janna (February 19, 2021). "Omega Mart opens a mysterious interactive world at Area15". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  67. ^ Lawrence, Christopher (March 4, 2021). "Area15 adding concert, events space for crowds of 20K". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  68. ^ Luschek, Mat (March 3, 2021). "AREA15 to open new outdoor event space in summer of 2021". KSNV. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  69. ^ Radke, Brock (September 16, 2021). "Las Vegas' Area15 hosts this year's iHeartRadio Music Festival Daytime Stage". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  70. ^ Katsilometes, John (September 19, 2021). "Journey's epic iHeartRadio set a sample of Vegas residency". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  71. ^ Carter, Geoff (August 19, 2021). "Las Vegas has never seen a distillery, tasting tour and themed space like Lost Spirits". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  72. ^ "Lost Spirits Distillery Las Vegas - What You Need to Know Before You Go". Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas World Wide. 2021-09-24. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  73. ^ Szydelko, Paul (March 29, 2022). "Illuminarium is set to debut at Vegas' Area15". Travel Weekly. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  74. ^ "'The Wall' now open at Area 15". KSNV. March 6, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  75. ^ Fink, Charlie (June 13, 2023). "AREA15: The Mall Of The Future". Forbes. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  76. ^ Chen, Eve (October 17, 2023). "Horror has a new name in Las Vegas. What we know about Universal's plans for the city". USA Today. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  77. ^ Segall, Eli (January 11, 2023). "Universal bringing full-time 'horror party' to Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  78. ^ Katsilometes, John (January 24, 2023). "Area15 to expand; repurposed Boeing 747 in the plans". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  79. ^ "Year Round Horror Experience Comes to Las Vegas". 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  80. ^ Glenn, Brian. "Universal Destinations & Experiences reveals Universal Horror Unleashed as name for Las Vegas year-round experience". Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  81. ^ Blennerhassett, Patrick (October 5, 2023). "Area15 expansion plans include hotel, nightclub". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  82. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony. "'John Wick Experience' To Open Doors Later This Year, Lionsgate's Fourth Las Vegas Attraction". Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  83. ^ Kubersky, Seth (May 11, 2022). "Las Vegas' Area15, a collection of immersive interactive experiences, is opening soon in Orlando". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  84. ^ Ryzewski, Steven (August 18, 2022). "Here's the latest on Las Vegas attraction Area15 in Orlando". Orlando Business Journal. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
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36°07′56″N 115°10′51″W / 36.132175°N 115.180782°W / 36.132175; -115.180782

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