The World’s Most Immersive Virtual Reality Experience is Coming to The Boro Summer 2023
The Boro, the premier destination for luxury urban living in the heart of Northern Virginia, today announces its welcoming of Sandbox VR, a full-body virtual reality entertainment experience, to the neighborhood this summer. Sandbox VR has signed a lease for 7,508 square feet at 1656 Silver Hill Drive, Tysons, Virginia, solidifying The Boro as a regional hub for dynamic, innovative, family-friendly experiences.
“The Meridian Group (TMG) is thrilled to welcome Sandbox VR, the most established virtual reality operator in the space, to its new home at The Boro,” said Charlie Schwieger, Vice President of Asset Management at TMG. “At The Boro, we strive to create an interactive, socially engaged neighborhood cultivated by experiential retailers like Sandbox VR. With a concept that promotes community and team building through technological innovation, Sandbox VR makes a unique, exciting addition to The Boro’s growing portfolio of eclectic restaurants, shops and attractions.”
Sandbox VR uses patented motion-tracking technology to capture the movements of a player’s entire body. This, combined with their custom, high-quality haptic system, provides players with unprecedented realism and complete immersion. Experiences are designed to make players feel like they have been transported into their own action movie. The fully immersive experiences are heart-pounding and thrilling – players will forget they’re in a game.
“Tysons is one of the largest areas for office and retail in the country. It’s close in proximity to Washington, DC with easy access by car or Metro,” says David Friedman, VP of Global Real Estate for Sandbox VR. “The Boro is a newer mixed use lifestyle and entertainment center that serves the area with great restaurants, theaters and Whole Foods.”
The Boro’s Sandbox VR location will feature 4 private rooms for virtual reality gameplay called “holodecks,” in which groups of up to six players will explore virtual worlds and rely on each other to succeed in games designed to be social experiences. Together with friends, family, or co-workers, players are equipped with a VR headset, a haptic vest, a backpack and motion sensors on their wrists and ankles. This technology allows players to see and physically interact with one another while feeling like they are in the middle of an action movie, with the heightened emotions that come from not just watching a film, but from actually becoming the stars of the action.
Sandbox VR is the latest retailer to join The Boro’s diverse collection of dining, shopping and attractions. In May, The Boro announced plans to deliver an additional 160,000 square feet of retail space as part of its Phase II expansion, on top of the existing 255,000 square feet of retail space in Phase I. Future development also includes 610,000 square feet of new residences, open-air green space for recreation and community activation, as well as improved walkability, convenience and accessibility. Phase II of The Boro is currently under construction with substantial completion in 2025.
In addition to its growing portfolio of experiential retailers and attractions, The Boro facilitates community-building through its signature programming. In 2022, The Boro welcomed nearly 7,000 guests to eight events themed around seasonal moments at Boro Park, the outdoor gathering space at the center of the neighborhood. The year-round programming included both family- and dog-friendly events, free fitness classes, chess tournaments, an authentic Oktoberfest, winter holiday-themed activations and more.
“There are a variety of exciting attractions that visitors of all ages can find uniquely at The Boro,” said Schwieger. “As the neighborhood expands, we look forward to delivering more fun and valuable experiences and programming for guests to enjoy time after time.”
Sandbox VR at The Boro will open this summer, and booking will be available at www.sandboxvr.com. More information about The Boro is available at www.theborotysons.com.
About The Boro
The Boro is a premier, multi-phase, transit-oriented development that brings together a vibrant community in the heart of Northern Virginia. Steps from the Greensboro and Spring Hill Metro Stations along the new Silver Line, adjacent to Route 7, Westpark and Greensboro Drives, this mixed-use residential, retail, entertainment, and office neighborhood captures the spirit of a true downtown experience in Tysons. The neighborhood is distinguished by its accessible streetscapes, pedestrian-friendly roadways, public green spaces, and curated, locally sourced first-class entertainment, dining, and shopping. For more information on The Boro, visit www.theborotysons.com.
About Sandbox VR
Sandbox VR is the world’s premier destination for premium location-based virtual reality games. The company has created the world’s most immersive full-body VR platform and boasts games you can’t play anywhere else. Sandbox VR is now operating in over 30 locations and expanding rapidly. Sandbox VR is headquartered in San Francisco, California with an office in Hong Kong. Sandbox VR’s latest round has raised over $37 million from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, and Craft. Individual investors include Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Kevin Durant and Will Smith.
