Fortress Sydney the new ‘Home of Games’ Esports Venue

Fortress Australia have expanded their unique gaming and entertainment brand with the launch of their second gaming and esports venue, Fortress Sydney.

The new home of world-class gaming experience was designed by global architecture and design firm, Populous to become Sydney’s new “Home of Games” entertainment powerhouse.

Following the success of their Melbourne venture, which opened three years prior, both Fortress Melbourne and Sydney are two of the largest venues of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Located in the heart of Sydney’s trendy inner-city suburb of Chippendale, the venue takes advantage of major public transport links and educational institutions to host up to 1,000 people over 1,500sqm on two floors of the Central Park Mall.

Populous Interior Design Lead APAC Paul Foskett said the main entry has been designed to invite people into an immersive environment using the strong Fortress brand identity.

“The retail presence at the entry of the venue seamlessly combines for the greeter staff to help patrons navigate the offerings. This is all wrapped in the bold green and black Fortress brand environment to attract foot-traffic into the facility.

“The purpose-designed esports arena has been carved out of the existing building to seat 200 people and features a VIP balcony experience and multiple broadcast production facilities for guests to have the very best in online gaming,” Foskett said.

The arena’s flexible use of space with retractable seating allows the venue to host specific public or private events, large or small and can be hired for corporate functions to weddings. Fortress is also proud to continue their exclusive hardware partnership with Dell Technologies’ premium brand, Alienware, boasting a state-of-the art gaming facility with naming rights secured for the Alienware Arena in both venues.

The interior design of the Alienware Arena has been designed to enhance and better connect the spectators and players in the global online gaming and esports industry. The fantasy-themed tavern is based on Fortress’ unique character lore and a sci-fi inspired bar called 2315 Bar has been designed for visitors to be immersed in fantasy environments, bringing gaming to life, whilst enjoying the Fortress hospitality.

The Telstra Lounge, a dedicated zone with more than 50 ultra-fast Alienware gaming PC battlestations, is the ideal destination for amateur and professional players alike and is supported by Fortress’ telecommunications partner, Telstra, and their high-speed fixed network.

Gaming meets social connection and is a key part of the offering for the large variety of clientele to socialise or dine in amongst the mixed-use entertainment spaces with premium food and beverage options.

Foskett adds, “The unique spaces and offerings have been designed to inspire users to explore the venue, from drinking and socialising in a medieval tavern to being drawn into a futuristic online gaming arena with 200 fans and countless watching the battles online, each space has a unique purpose and identity all unified under the Fortress banner,” he said.

Fortress is also home to video and arcade gaming, board games, live broadcast studio spaces and dedicated gaming console spaces that cater to gamers of all types, experience levels and interests while attracting late night trade between gamers, spectators and entertainment seekers.