The planned gaming-themed Atari hotel in Las Vegas will not move forward, according to a company spokesperson. Atari Hotels is now concentrating efforts on its flagship property in Phoenix, Arizona. The project, announced six years ago, has faced significant delays.
In 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Atari Hotels announced ambitious plans to develop gaming-themed hotels in eight US cities: Phoenix, Austin, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. Phoenix was designated as the inaugural site, with construction originally slated to begin that year.
However, the Las Vegas project has been abandoned. "The Las Vegas deal ultimately didn't come to fruition," spokesperson Sara Collins told the Las Vegas Sun. The company is redirecting its resources to the Phoenix location "for the time being."
Development has been hampered by pandemic-related setbacks. Construction on the Phoenix hotel is now expected to start late this year, with an opening targeted for 2028. Despite progress, funding remains a challenge; a December press release indicated that Atari Hotels is seeking $35 million to $40 million to realize the "playable destination" for gamers.
The Atari Hotels website FAQ mentions that additional sites, including Denver, are under exploration through separate development and licensing agreements. No updates have emerged for the other planned locations, casting doubt on the broader expansion.
This shift underscores the difficulties in bringing niche hospitality concepts to life amid economic uncertainties in the gaming and tourism sectors.
