Vicinity to build Australia’s biggest eSports stadium at Melbourne’s Emporium
Vicinity Centres and Fortress Esports Pty Ltd will open a purpose-built electronic sports complex at the former’s Emporium Melbourne shopping centre.
The double-storey space will contain more than 160 gaming PCs, console gaming suites, steamer pods, Role Playing Games and tabletop game play areas.
It will also include function rooms, a full service restaurant and a 200 seat stadium.
Branded Fortress Melbourne, it will be the largest eSports venue in the southern hemisphere – spreading across 2700 square metres.
Set to open in 2020, the complex will welcome to gamers of all ages and skill levels.
Fortress Melbourne is being designed out by US-based architecture firm Populous, which also penned ANZ Stadium and London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Vicinity Centres chief development officer, Caroline Viney, said in this statement the complex would be a one-of-a-kind for Australian gaming
“We are always looking at new, unique experiences to offer our customers and with the global phenomenon of eSports rapidly gaining fans in Australia, Emporium Melbourne’s city location makes it the obvious choice for an esports arena and gaming venue that will cater to all audiences.
“This exciting first for entertainment venues reflects Melbourne’s standing as the cultural and events capital of Australia and cements Emporium Melbourne as a market-leading retail, dining and entertainment destination in the CBD,” Ms Viney said.
“Esports tournaments sell out major stadiums worldwide and have a highly engaged audience globally. We expect Fortress Melbourne to follow international trends and become a major attraction for all types of customers, young and old, who want a real-time eSports and video gaming experience,” Ms Viney added.
Fortress Esports co-founder and chief executive officer, Jon Satterley added “Melbourne has become the epicentre for video gaming and esports culture with major events such as Melbourne Esports Opens and PAX Australia, so we’re excited to be opening our first flagship venue…to offer Australians and international visitors a unique entertainment space that they can enjoy all year round”.
“We want to make Fortress Melbourne the ultimate ‘home away from home’ for everyone, from casual gamers, competitive gamers and eSports fanatics, to families and after-work crowds. Fortress Melbourne will offer the best video gaming experiences and entertainment, with the newest tech, fastest internet, comfortable decor, great food and drinks, and a rich calendar of events and tournaments, plus more,” Mr Satterley said.
