video game giant atari announces new concept in hotel construction

Plans have been announced for the Atari company to begin construction later this year near Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street in downtown Phoenix on a video game-themed hotel.

The concept uniquely is calling for combining a video game-themed destination with the normal offerings of a quality hotel.

Each hotel will feature virtual reality and augmented reality technology, with some of the properties also offering co-working space allowing game developer guests to work with other developers.

Work in Phoenix on what is being called the Atari Hotel could be launched later this summer, leading the way for other similar efforts in Austin, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle.

The company is additionally targeting Denver, although a specific date for building a new hotel in the Mile High City has not yet been announced.

“It was absolutely a given for me to make sure that Denver would be home to one of these iconic hotels,” said Shelly Murphy, founder of the GSD Group, which is partnering with Atari on the unique project.

“We are keeping the potential sites confidential right now,” Murphy told the Denver Post. “We are moving very fast on these hotels, and we hope to announce soon, sometime in the next 30 to 60 days.”

Founded in 1972, Atari is a world-famous pioneer in both home computers as well as home video game consoles.

A press release issued by Atari says the new hotels will “level up hotel entertainment with fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability.”
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In a statement, Fred Chesnais, chief executive officer of Atari, said his company is an “iconic global brand that resonates with people of all ages, countries, culture and ethnic backgrounds and we cannot wait for our fans and their families to enjoy this new hotel concept.” 

By Garry Boulard

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