Portsmouth will become the first location in the UK to host a new entertainment concept when the new ‘ApolloDomes’ launch at Gunwharf Quays in October. The attraction consists of two domes which will host Halloween and Christmas-themed experiences.
Gunwharf Quays’ parent company Landsec has struck a partnership with international company Holovis to develop these entertainment spaces, blending immersive theatre, striking visual projections and event-scale production.
Holovis has produced some of the largest themed entertainment projects in the world including SeaWorld Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and Squid Game: The Experience in New York.
The new ApolloDomes attraction – which are over 1,300 sq m in size and include two 19-metre indoor entertainment domes, each with a 270-degree projection screen – will initially be used to bring an immersive Halloween guest experience to The Plaza at Gunwharf Quays. Later in the year it will be transformed into an exciting festive attraction for the Christmas period.
‘Pumpkinville’ the first experience, is an immersive Halloween-themed adventure combining theatrical experiences, film projections and ‘spooktacular’ effects. By day, families join ‘The SpookAdemy’, a playful Halloween school where guests learn the key skills to be scary. After the show, guests can relax in ‘The Lantern Lounge’ a Halloween-themed cafe and bar.
By night, the domes transform into glowing destinations with themed bars and exciting experiences for adults, while the ‘Pumpkin Picturehouse’ will screen vintage horror films.
The news follows a successful summer for Gunwharf Quays marking the next stage of the premium waterfront outlet’s transformation – in June, work started on the redevelopment of Marlborough Square, while strong trading data was revealed in July, with sales up 8.6% year-on-year for the April-June period.
Yvonne Clay, Centre Director at Gunwharf Quays, commented:
“This is a pivotal moment for us as we move into the next, exciting phase of our transformation and to be the UK launch location for ApolloDomes is a real coup, not just for Gunwharf Quays, but for Portsmouth and beyond. This investment will create a unique new attraction in the city and further cements our position as a leading retail and leisure destination.”
Stuart Hetherington, CEO of Holovis, added:
“ApolloDomes represents a first of its kind experience, blending next-gen projection technologies and media with world-class immersive theatrical performances to transport guests to an exciting, seasonal destination. This is the perfect representation for Holovis’ capabilities and represents the culmination of over 20 years’ experience in the theme park and entertainment industries.
“We’re extremely proud to be embarking on this journey with Landsec and are very excited to bring this level of immersive experience to guests in the UK.”