Universal Parks & Resorts to Touch Down in Las Vegas’ Area15

Area15 is a massive entertainment complex offering everything from virtual reality trips to a giant interactive art installation disguised as a supermarket. Its focus on experiential experiences makes it a popular choice for event planners. Opened in Las Vegas in September 2020 right in the middle of a global pandemic is strangely appropriate, here there is just no such thing as normal.

Now Area15 will be expanding by 20 acres. Universal Parks & Resorts is its new anchor tenant and will be creating a horror experience. The purpose built unit will occupy more than 110,000 square feet. Additionally, more than 85,000 square feet will be dedicated to pop-ups and outdoor experiences.

“Universal is known for our ability to deliver original, highly-themed, and terrifying horror entertainment experiences for millions of fans every year,” said Page Thompson, president of new ventures, Universal Parks & Resorts. “We are excited to give our global fanbase yet another way to get scared and have fun with fear in the heart of Las Vegas, the perfect place for this type of unique concept.” 

There is also talk of a hotel that will be located on-site, although Universal is yet to confirm these plans. 

Experiences That Drive Connection

Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, Illuminarium, The Beast by Todd English private dining room, and Lost Spirits Distillery are all housed in Area15 at present. The Portal event space that can accommodate up to 705, with 360-degree projection mapping. Paint company Sherwin Williams had dripping paint vividly displayed on all four walls for a recent function.

During the pandemic, Area15’s outdoor event space was particularly popular. It includes A-Lot that can accommodate up to 3,204 people with a 1,400-square-foot VIP deck for 95.

As Las Vegas work to bring group business back to 2019 levels, Area15 offers experiences that drive connection. Event attendees today expect to return home inspired, and this trend is looking even stronger.

Appropriately, the rise of AI means that experiential intelligence has taken on added importance. Soren Kaplan, author of the book “Experiential Intelligence: Harness the Power of Experience for Personal and Business Breakthroughs,” says as ChatGPT commoditizes the content in one’s head, experiences become even more essential in helping with decision-making and relationship-building.