A $10 million LEGOLAND Discovery Centre will open next autumn in Easton Town Center, Columbus.
The new LEGO branded indoor play centre will spread over 36,000 square feet. It will be sited in the Easton Town Center shopping complex in northeast Columbus, Ohio, reports Columbus Business First.
“This is going to be a regional draw. It’s going to pull people from other states,” says Jennifer Peterson, CEO of Easton Town Center. “It’s a first-class interactive experience and it’s going to be highly engaging not just for kids, but for grownups, too. It’s incredible how they bring LEGO to life.”
The Discovery Centre will be 11th in North America and the 22nd worldwide for London-based owner and operator Merlin Entertainments. It will the first in Ohio itself. The closest at present is outside Detroit.
“The LEGOLAND Discovery Centres have been a huge success across the globe,” says John Jakobsen, Chief of New Openings Officer for Merlin. “Particularly as an opportunity for adults and children to spend fun, quality time together.”
The centre will include a range of LEGO themed play areas, two interactive rides, building classes, party rooms and a 4-D cinema.
One of the most popular features is Miniland in which replica buildings and structures from the city are replicated in Lego form. There will be a contest to select which Columbus buildings and landmarks will be included.
Jakobsen believes Easton offers the perfect location for the attraction. “The mall is already a favoured destination for Ohio families and tourists from the region,” he says in a release. The Easton Town Center complex features more than 200 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. The newer Easton Gateway development includes an additional 40 restaurants and shops.
The deal ends two years of negotiations between Easton and Merlin. “We’re beyond thrilled they picked us,” says Peterson. “I think being able to create an emotion connection helps the customer experience. It’s not just the shopping. They have to be entertained. That’s the magic here.”
LEGO already has a presence in Easton. There is a LEGO store, owned and operated by Denmark-based LEGO Group. It will remain unaffected by the new development.
https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2017/10/10/legoland-discovery-center-coming-to-easton-town.html
