Atari, a legendary name in the gaming industry, is officially moving forward with its much-anticipated Atari Hotel project in Phoenix, Arizona.
First announced nearly six years ago during the tenure of former CEO Fred Chesnais, the project faced prolonged delays and scaled-back ambitions.
Originally, Atari unveiled bold plans for multiple themed hotels across key North American cities including Las Vegas, Austin, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Phoenix.
However, as of 2024, only the Phoenix location has shown tangible progress. According to The Independent, construction on the Atari Hotel is scheduled to commence later this year at the site located at 840 N.
Central Avenue, in the vibrant Roosevelt Row Arts District.
The visionary design, spearheaded by the architecture firm Räkkhaus, showcases a futuristic aesthetic directly inspired by the acclaimed visual language of cult science fiction films Tron and Blade Runner.
Räkkhaus describes the upcoming hotel as a "glowing monolith of light and motion", aiming to emerge as a digital beacon and symbolize a new era for downtown Phoenix. Spanning over 90,000 square feet, the Atari Hotel will offer a wide array of experience-driven environments tailored for contemporary gaming culture.
Its amenities include a massive 20,000-square-foot concert and events center capable of hosting up to 2,000 attendees, complemented by a dedicated esports venue and multiple immersive spaces that seamlessly blend gaming, live music, and nightlife.
The hotel’s striking façade will feature pixel grid motifs, while interior design elements will evoke "arcade circuitry" and futuristic digital landscapes, echoing the vibrant energy and architecture found in Tron and Blade Runner. Accommodation at the Atari Hotel is set to comprise 19 suites and 72 rooms—a nod to Atari’s founding year of 1972.
Guests will also enjoy amenities such as an expansive pool designed for lively gatherings, several restaurants, curated retail outlets, and unique entertainment experiences unavailable elsewhere in the region. Commenting on the project, Zac Cohen, creative director at Räkkhaus, stated: "Our intention was to meld architecture with interactive experiences, not settle for conventional themed design, but instead create pure spatial innovation.
This tower is defined by motion, by responsive surfaces, and by a structure that glows with its own internal logic.
With this hotel, we’re raising placemaking to an entirely new scale—bringing to Phoenix a world-unique building that stands as a testament to bold ideas and the city’s embrace of innovation." While it remains to be seen if further Atari hotels will materialize in other cities, the Phoenix development stands as a landmark fusion of gaming history and modern hospitality.
As gaming culture continues to influence entertainment, architecture, and tourism, the Atari Hotel is set to become an iconic destination for enthusiasts, reflecting both the industry’s heritage and its future ambitions.
First announced nearly six years ago during the tenure of former CEO Fred Chesnais, the project faced prolonged delays and scaled-back ambitions.
Originally, Atari unveiled bold plans for multiple themed hotels across key North American cities including Las Vegas, Austin, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Phoenix.
However, as of 2024, only the Phoenix location has shown tangible progress. According to The Independent, construction on the Atari Hotel is scheduled to commence later this year at the site located at 840 N.
Central Avenue, in the vibrant Roosevelt Row Arts District.
The visionary design, spearheaded by the architecture firm Räkkhaus, showcases a futuristic aesthetic directly inspired by the acclaimed visual language of cult science fiction films Tron and Blade Runner.
Räkkhaus describes the upcoming hotel as a "glowing monolith of light and motion", aiming to emerge as a digital beacon and symbolize a new era for downtown Phoenix. Spanning over 90,000 square feet, the Atari Hotel will offer a wide array of experience-driven environments tailored for contemporary gaming culture.
Its amenities include a massive 20,000-square-foot concert and events center capable of hosting up to 2,000 attendees, complemented by a dedicated esports venue and multiple immersive spaces that seamlessly blend gaming, live music, and nightlife.
The hotel’s striking façade will feature pixel grid motifs, while interior design elements will evoke "arcade circuitry" and futuristic digital landscapes, echoing the vibrant energy and architecture found in Tron and Blade Runner. Accommodation at the Atari Hotel is set to comprise 19 suites and 72 rooms—a nod to Atari’s founding year of 1972.
Guests will also enjoy amenities such as an expansive pool designed for lively gatherings, several restaurants, curated retail outlets, and unique entertainment experiences unavailable elsewhere in the region. Commenting on the project, Zac Cohen, creative director at Räkkhaus, stated: "Our intention was to meld architecture with interactive experiences, not settle for conventional themed design, but instead create pure spatial innovation.
This tower is defined by motion, by responsive surfaces, and by a structure that glows with its own internal logic.
With this hotel, we’re raising placemaking to an entirely new scale—bringing to Phoenix a world-unique building that stands as a testament to bold ideas and the city’s embrace of innovation." While it remains to be seen if further Atari hotels will materialize in other cities, the Phoenix development stands as a landmark fusion of gaming history and modern hospitality.
As gaming culture continues to influence entertainment, architecture, and tourism, the Atari Hotel is set to become an iconic destination for enthusiasts, reflecting both the industry’s heritage and its future ambitions.
