GameWorks, Inc., an esports and entertainment company providing experiences for millennials, teens and families, announced today the Company will relocate its Chesapeake, Va. venue to Norfolk. The new GameWorks Norfolk is expected to open in spring 2020 at MacArthur Center, located in downtown Norfolk and managed by Starwood Retail Partners.
The 19,000 square-foot GameWorks Norfolk will be centered around esports, featuring a large, state-of-the-art esports lounge along with an expansive game floor. GameWorks Norfolk will unveil new-to-Norfolk entertainment options, coupled with its full-service Modern American dining and bar offering, The Works Kitchen at GameWorks.
The GameWorks Chesapeake team will have the opportunity to relocate to the new location, and additional employment options will also become available.
“GameWorks is well-known for its emphasis on esports and dedication to delivering experiences gamers most enjoy,” said Laurie Paquette, senior vice president of Starwood Retail Partners, which operates MacArthur Center. “We know our shoppers, visitors and tourists will flock to play as well as watch the many esports tournaments that will take place here, and take part in billiards, arcade games and more. We’re pleased to welcome GameWorks; it is a unique and exciting addition to MacArthur Center’s more than 120 stores and restaurants.”
“Norfolk is a growing major metropolitan area, ideal for the GameWorks concept. With our increased focus on esports and offering of the most in-demand game titles as well as our diverse game floor, the latest arcade games and eclectic chef-inspired branded restaurant concept, GameWorks appeals to many demographic ranges. MacArthur Center is the perfect location, where we will be well-positioned not only as a prime destination spot but also strategically located,” said Philip N. Kaplan, chairman and chief executive officer at GameWorks.
“Eight universities and four community colleges are nearby, an ideal audience for the entertainment experience GameWorks affords its guests. The East Coast is a vital and booming market for GameWorks and one in which we will look to continue to expand. With the opening of GameWorks Norfolk, we will further fortify our relationship with Starwood as some of our other venues are located in Starwood properties. They will continue to be a valuable component of our continued growth,” Kaplan explained.
