attraction news
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
by Kath Hudson | 29 Dec 2023
Universal Studios is assessing the feasibility of opening its first European resort in the UK, following the purchase of a former brickworks in Bedfordshire. The theme park operator has confirmed it’s in the “very early stages of exploring the possibility of a potential park and resort experience in Bedford.” Parent company, Comcast Corporation has purchased the 480-acre site, which previously had planning permission for 1,000 homes. Universal Destinations and Experiences
Aardman Animation and design studio, Katapult, launch new attraction concept
by Magali Robathan | 16 Jun 2023
International themed attraction and experience designer Katapult and animation studio Aardman have launched a new themed attraction concept featuring Aardman’s much-loved characters. The World of Aardman is a hands-on visitor attraction concept, featuring an interactive studio experience, a themed cafe, experiential retail, and photo opportunities with guests’ favourite characters. Designed to suit pre-existing retail mall units and indoor destinations, the attraction can also be used to showcase exclusive seasonal events
Bjarke Ingels creates meandering eco distillery attraction for Blue Run Kentucky
by Tom Walker | 06 Apr 2023
Blue Run Spirits has released the first images of its planned distillery and visitor attraction in Georgetown, Kentucky, US. Blue Run, a company specialising in bourbon and rhye whiskies, launched in October 2020 and appointed Bjarke Ingels Group’s (BIG) as the lead architect for the US$51m project. BIG's plans for the new headquarters include a 35,000sq ft distillery and a 20,000sq ft rickhouse. Called ‘Meander' the designs evoke the journey
Thinkwell to deliver the world's first Play-Doh attractions in Saudi Arabia
by Tom Walker | 22 Mar 2023
Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven) has revealed plans to develop and operate the world’s first Play-Doh attractions in Saudi Arabia. Thinkwell Group, the experience design and production agency, has been appointed to develop the attractions. Seven, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), said it will open Play-Doh sites at eight of its entertainment destinations across the country over the next 10 years. Seven has signed a
Fun and fear drive new Universal attraction concepts for Texas and Las Vegas
by Tom Walker | 13 Jan 2023
Universal Parks & Resorts has revealed plans to launch two entirely new visitor attractions concepts – a family-focused theme park and resort in Texas and a year-round horror experience in Las Vegas. Described as a "one-of-a-kind theme park, unlike any other in the world", the new Texas resort will feature immersive themed lands, family-friendly attractions, interactive shows and character 'meet and greets' utilising Universal’s IP. Designed as intimate and engaging for
Floating Salmon Eye visitor attraction by Kvorning Design highlights sustainable aquaculture
by Tom Walker | 08 Dec 2022
A new floating visitor center and art installation is showcasing aquaculture, informing the world on how to better feed the planet with sustainable seafood. Called Salmon Eye, the aquaculture centre is located in Norway’s Hardangerfjord, just outside the town of Rosendal. Created by Kvorning Design, the project was conceived and financed by Sondre Eide, the CEO of third-generation salmon farming business Eide Fjordbruk. A world-class visitor and learning center, Salmon
Hot Pickle design £73m Guinness visitor attraction for Diageo in London
by Tom Walker | 14 Feb 2022
Brewing giant Diageo has revealed plans to create a Guinness-themed cultural hub and microbrewery in London, UK, with design by London-based agency, Hot Pickle. Called Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard, the visitor attraction is set to open in London’s Covent Garden in Autumn 2023. Located on a historic brewing site – the Old Brewer's Yard was the site of beer brewing as far back as 1722 – the £73m development
New champagne visitor attraction by Casson Mann and Atelier Phileas takes visitors on a journey 'from the earth to the bubble'
by Tom Walker | 31 Aug 2021
A new visitor attraction and cultural destination, located at the foot of the historic slopes of Aÿ-Champagne commune, is taking a fresh approach to exploring the history of champagne. Pressoria – designed by Casson Mann and Atelier Phileas Architecture – blends original heritage architecture and contemporary interiors with sensory and digital installations and event spaces to present the culture of the appellation. Described as a sensory experience that blends elements
Saudi Arabia offers US$133m in loans to create 50 new attractions
by Tom Walker | 12 Jul 2021
Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has pledged to provide SAR500m (US$133m, €112m, £96m) worth of loans to companies, in order to create new attractions and entertainment projects in the country. GEA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the country's Social Development Bank (SDB), which will see soft financing opportunities being made available to investments that contribute towards the growth and sustainability of the Saudi attractions and entertainment sector
Kew Gardens establishes new 'living laboratory' to study biodiversity
by Tom Walker | 17 Jun 2021
Kew Gardens has established a "living laboratory" at its wild botanic garden at Wakehurst, UK. The move is part of a research project to explore the benefits of biodiversity in the UK. The Wakehurst site is open to visitors and includes a number of botanical attractions to explore – such as the 150-acre Loder Valley Nature Reserve, an area called The Wetlands and a six-acre American Prairie. As well as
Secret Cinema's Tim McQuillen-Wright designs Monopoly Lifesized attraction for Hasbro
by Tom Walker | 19 May 2021
CLAD understands the launch of Hasbro's Live Monopoly attraction in London is back on the cards, with 14 August 2021 slated as the official opening date. The attraction will be created by a design team drawn from across the worlds of immersive theatre, tech and escape rooms: creative producers are Tom Beynon and Paul Mansfield, with set design by Tim McQuillen-Wright – designer for Secret Cinema experiences Stranger Things, Blade
MVRDV reveal ambitious plans to create Marble Arch visitor attraction for London
by Tom Walker | 19 Feb 2021
A new visitor attraction at London's Marble Arch is set to anchor ambitious plans to "reimagine" the city's famous Oxford Street shopping district. The planned Marble Arch Hill visitor attraction, designed by architects MVRDV, is part of plans to attract people back to Oxford Street following the coronavirus pandemic. Considered Europe’s busiest shopping street, Oxford Street has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19 measures. Plans are already underway to diversify
Meow Wolf creates mind-blowing Las Vegas attraction – Omega Mart
by Tom Walker | 02 Feb 2021
Omega Mart, a permanent visitor attraction and art installation built by Meow Wolf, is set to open in Las Vegas, US, this month. The attraction, dubbed "America's most exceptional supermarket", is located at Area15 – an experiential, 200,000sq ft retail and entertainment centre – and will feature more than 250 art projects created by 325 artists. In total, Omega Mart houses more than 60 unique environments that include installation-filled rooms,
Disney reveals first visuals of ambitious Star Wars attraction – including designs for hotel 'pods'
by Tom Walker | 15 Dec 2020
Disney has released the first visuals of its Star Wars -themed Galactic Starcruiser resort, which is set to open at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida next year. The ambitious new attraction will offer accommodation in hotel 'pods', which are part of a new type of "ultra-deep immersion" experience into the Star Wars universe. Each guest will be able to become the hero of their own adventure during a two-day,
Flaxmill Maltings – the world's first cast-iron framed building – is to be redeveloped as a visitor attraction by Mather & Co
by Tom Walker | 15 Dec 2020
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, one of the most important buildings of the UK's industrial past, is to be restored and redeveloped as a heritage visitor attraction. Built in 1797, the building is known as the "grandparent of the modern-day skyscraper", due to its pioneering cast iron frame, which was the first of its kind in the world and paved the way for the development of skyscrapers. It operated as a flax
BRC Imagination Arts completes new Glenkinchie Distillery brand home for Diageo as part of cycle of Scottish whisky attractions
by Liz Terry | 29 Oct 2020
LA-based experience design studio, BRC Imagination Arts, is the creative force behind the new Glenkinchie Distillery attraction, which has opened today (29 October 2020) near Edinburgh, Scotland. The single malt distillery is located in East Lothian, a region known for its produce and has undergone a major transformation of its visitor attraction as part of a wider £185m investment by owner, Diageo. Glenkinchie will be known as the ‘Lowland Home
Warner Bros. to open Harry Potter studio attraction in Japan
by Tom Walker | 25 Aug 2020
Warner Bros. has revealed plans to develop a Harry Potter studio tour attraction in Japanese capital Tokyo. To be located on the grounds of the Toshimaen Amusement Park in the city's Nerima ward, the attraction will become the second Harry Potter studio site, following the opening of the inaugural Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, UK. Since its launch in 2012, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of
Therme Group announces development plans to roll out wellbeing resorts across UK
by Megan Whitby | 03 Aug 2020
Following approval to build a £250mn wellbeing resort in Manchester, Therme Group has revealed plans to develop and expand its concept in other major UK cities. “Our aim is to ensure that a Therme Group wellbeing resort is within easy reach of 90 per cent of the UK population,” commented Therme UK COO, James Mark. The development plan includes projects – with a similar concept to Therme Manchester – in
£67m Eden Project attraction to open in Northern Ireland
by Andy Knaggs | 13 Feb 2020
A new £67m (US$86.9m, €79.8m) cultural and environmental Eden Project tourist attraction, designed by Grimshaw Architects, is to be built in Northern Ireland and is expected to open in 2023. Eden Project Foyle will cover a 100-hectare (250-acre) site along the banks of the River Foyle near Derry-Londonderry, brining previously inaccessible land, three historic walled gardens and an 18th-century icehouse back into use. The destination will feature a range of
Cansult Maunsell-designed Clymb attraction, with biggest climbing wall in the world, will open in Abu Dhabi this month
by Andy Knaggs | 08 Nov 2019
Clymb Abu Dhabi, a climbing and sky diving attraction on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, is to open on 29 November 2019, according to owner Miral. The building was designed by Cansult Maunsell, an operating company based in Dubai and part of global consulting firm Aecom. The US$100m (€89.8m, £77.3m) project will deliver the world's tallest indoor climbing wall at 140ft (43 metres) tall, and its widest skydiving flight chamber, spanning
Wilkinson Eyre design giant biome attraction for Reykjavik, Iceland
by Liz Terry | 23 Jul 2019
Architects Wilkinson Eyre are to create a new visitor attraction in the form of a massive biome complex, near Reykjavik. The Aldin Biomes have just received planning permission and when complete, will showcase a tropical environment and local food production methods, as well as a range of wellness offerings, including barfus walks and yoga. The 48,000sq ft structures, designed for client Spor í sandinn, have been conceived as a major
Rogers Stirk Harbour, Witherford Watson Mann and Feilden Fowles make the Sterling Prize shortlist with culture and attractions schemes
by Tom Walker | 19 Jul 2019
Three out of the six projects on this year's Stirling Prize shortlist are culture, attractions and leisure-related, underlining the sector's reputation for producing innovative architecture. The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience in Scotland (by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners), The Nevill Holt Opera in Leicestershire (Witherford Watson Mann Architects) and The Weston, Yorkshire Sculpture Park (Feilden Fowles Architects) have all been chosen. They're joined by Cork House, Goldsmith Street and
U2 plans new attraction in place of iconic Dublin recording studios
by Tom Anstey | 28 Jun 2018
A U2 attraction in the heart of Dublin could become one of Ireland's most visited tourist sites, with plans unveiled for an exhibition centre dedicated to the band on the capital's waterfront. To be developed on Hannover Quay – the current site of the band's existing recording studio – the new three storey complex will display a selection of never-before-seen U2 memorabilia collected over the four decades of the group's
License to thrill? Mountaintop James Bond attraction sets hearts racing
by Alice Davis | 12 Jun 2018
Anticipation is rising ahead of a 12 July launch date for a brand new James Bond visitor attraction nestled snugly inside a mountain peak in Sölden, Austria. The state-of-the-art facility, called 007 ELEMENTS, promises to immerse visitors in an environment that will make them feel like secret agents themselves. Described as a cinematic installation, the new attraction will be housed in a purpose built structure designed by local architect Johann
Baharash Architecture design biodome ecotourist attraction for UAE
by Kim Megson | 06 Jun 2018
London practice Baharash Architecture have designed three self-sustaining biodome attractions for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which are being developed to promote the country’s booming ecotourism market. Located in the eastern part of the UAE, in the Al Hajar Mountains, the project will provide facilities for a wildlife conservation centre, a restaurant, educational workshops and an adventure-based wilderness retreat – all housed within the three giant domes. The structures will
FC Barcelona strikes deal with leisure park developer to launch Barça-themed attractions around the world
by Kim Megson | 14 May 2018
Spanish football giant FC Barcelona has reached a deal to open a number of Barça-themed “experience spaces” around the world. Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has signed a five-year agreement with leisure park developer Parques Reunidos to get the ball rolling on the project, which will see indoor parks, between 3,000 and 10,000sq m in size, opened in “busy shopping malls and iconic establishments in the centres of cities with
Singapore's leisure-filled airport attraction on track for 2019 opening, complete with 40m indoor waterfall and forest valley
by Kim Megson | 01 May 2018
Construction is nearing completion on “a world-class, signature lifestyle destination” at Singapore’s Changi Airport, which has been designed to boost the city-state’s appeal as a stopover point for global travellers. Conceived as the world’s most ambitious airport leisure attraction, the complex, called The Jewel, is being built inside an enormous glass dome covering a 40m-high indoor waterfall and a five-storey ‘forest valley’ with 2,500 trees and 100,000 shrubs. The building
New renderings for Moomin Park as opening date set for Japanese nature attraction
by Tom Anstey | 16 Apr 2018
A theme park based on The Moomins will open in Japan’s Saitama Prefecture in March 2019, after its developers confirmed construction plans for the nature attraction in the city of Hanno. Called Moomin Valley Park, the attraction will sit on an area around Lake Miyazawako, owing to the area’s resemblance to the nature-rich homeland of the Moomins. The 190,000sq m (2,000,000sq ft) park will celebrate Nordic culture, with plans calling
Bjarke Ingels Group reveal zigzagging hotel with ski roof for Audemars Piguet visitor attraction
by Kim Megson | 10 Apr 2018
Bjarke Ingels Group are designing a hotel next to their forthcoming Audemars Piguet watchmaking museum in the village of Le Brassus, Switzerland. As with that subtly spiralling attraction – which is due to open in 2019 – the new project, Hotel des Horlogers, will be integrated into the topography of the landscape. Five zigzagging room slabs will expand into a gently sloping exterior path, leading directly to the museum and
Eden Project signs deal for £150m Qingdao attraction
by Tom Anstey | 02 Feb 2018
Sir Tim Smit’s Eden Project is making a giant leap to realising its first overseas attraction, following a trade meeting between the British and Chinese governments. During the three-day trade mission to promote Prime Minister Theresa May’s vision for a “global Britain”, David Hardland, Eden Project chief executive signed an agreement with Zhao Lintao of China Jinmao Holdings, setting out terms for a future development in Qingdao. Including the design,
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