With virtual reality (VR) becoming a popular source of entertainment, Toronto is getting its own VR lounge.
Opening on May 6 in Queen West, Toronto’s House of VR is an arcade, gallery, and event space that will allow guests to experience games, entertainment, and education in the world of VR.
House of VR will house 10 viewing pods, featuring 360-degree films that take guests to places like Amazon forests, and 13 play units, featuring games in VR and mixed reality green screen experiences.
“House of VR wants to be the central hub of virtual reality in Toronto.”
– Jonah Brotman
The lounge will have popular VR games, as well as VR experiences in art and design, tourism, entertainment, education, meditation, live sports, and kids-focused activities. House of VR’s owners said they will curate and update content on a weekly basis so guests can have different experiences each time they visit.
Co-owner Jonah Brotman, who teamed up with artist Stephanie Payne and his brother Noah to launch the space, said that with Toronto being a “hip and cultured,” city, he was surprised that the city “was behind on the VR trend.”
“Ninety-one percent of Canadians have yet to try virtual reality,” said Brotman. “Once you put a headset on, you’ll be blown away by how immersive the experience is. House of VR wants to be the central hub of virtual reality in Toronto.”
House of VR will also feature an interactive pillow lounge with hand-gesture controlled lighting, colour-changing murals, and a galaxy installation.
Payne, who is acting as House of VR’s creative director, said the owners are optimistic about bringing a range of capabilities and functions to different population segments in Toronto. “We are bringing in high-school students to show the next-generation of education tools, corporate groups that focus on team-building activities, and Art Battles where the public can vote on their favourite live 3D artists,” said Payne.
Brotman has previously founded several companies including Operation Groundswell, SokoText, and StashBelt, which scored a deal on Dragons’ Den in February 2015. With House of VR being his fourth business, Brotman has plans to return Dragon’s Den to demonstrate sales of House of VR in the first few months.
To register for the House of VR’s grand opening on May 6, click here.