November 17th 2024.
Formula One is bringing its high-speed thrills to RiNo, with the opening of a new F1 Arcade at 2734 Walnut St. next fall. This will be one of the first locations in the United States for the popular U.K.-based concept, which is looking to capitalize on the growing interest in Formula One racing among Americans.
Jon Gardner, the U.S. president of F1 Arcade, expressed his excitement about the new location, stating that RiNo has always been known for its vibrant food and bar scene, making it a perfect fit for their brand. The first U.S. F1 Arcade opened in Boston back in April, followed by a location in Washington, D.C. last month. Plans are also in the works for new venues in Las Vegas and Philadelphia.
F1 Arcade will occupy a spacious 15,700-square-foot building in RiNo, which was recently purchased by Denver-based Magnetic Capital for $5.25 million. Magnetic Capital founder Dan Huml shared that he was approached by a broker representing F1 Arcade while the deal for the property was still in progress. Huml expressed his admiration for the concept, having personally visited and tried out the racing simulators himself.
He described the experience as truly immersive, with the simulators replicating the feeling of driving on a real F1 circuit, complete with all the twists and turns and the sound of engines revving in your ear. This will be Magnetic Capital's fourth project in the neighborhood, with previous developments including the popular Federales restaurant building, the Sonder hotel, and the Brewdog building. They also have an office project underway in Cherry Creek.
F1 Arcade has ambitious plans to open 30 locations across the U.S. in the next five years. The RiNo venue will have 69 full-motion simulators, allowing guests to experience the thrill of Formula One racing like never before. The company has a licensing deal with Formula One, which is owned by billionaire John Malone's Liberty Media Corp. Gardner revealed that both Formula One and Liberty Media are also investors in F1 Arcade.
While some may associate the term "arcade" with classic games like skee-ball, Gardner clarified that their venues are all about bringing the glitz and glamour of the Formula One racing circuit to life. With Formula One expanding its presence in the U.S. in recent years, with events in cities like Las Vegas, F1 Arcade aims to offer a similar experience to its guests.
Aside from the racing simulators, F1 Arcade's RiNo location will also feature a bar and restaurant serving cocktails in the $15 to $20 range and a variety of food options, including burgers, flatbreads, and even a seafood tower. Families will be welcome during the day, but the venue will be 21+ after 7 p.m. On Thursdays through Saturdays, there will also be a DJ to entertain guests.
Gardner also shared that no prior experience is needed to use the simulators, which can be enjoyed by kids as young as seven. Pricing will vary depending on the group size, with a group of three paying around $29 per person for three races. For larger groups, multiple simulators will be assigned, allowing people to switch between racing and socializing.
Groups will compete against each other on the simulators, while solo customers can challenge themselves by racing against legendary Formula One drivers. Gardner emphasized that the F1 Arcade experience is meant to be shared, whether it's with friends, on a date, or with colleagues. Denver residents can look forward to more business and food news by signing up for the Economy Now and Stuffed newsletters, respectively.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
