Metreon

The Metreon, an entertainment shopping center, launched on June 16, 1999 as the first in a proposed succession of Sony urban centers aggregating dining, gaming, music, exhibitions, shopping, and movies. Located in downtown San Francisco, all attractions are enclosed in a four story 350,000 square foot (33,000 m²) building. Sony intended the ambitious USD $85 million dollar project not only to be a theme park and gallery for Sony products but an anchor for strengthening a hip image to the Sony brand. Although enthusiastic, Sony would open two additional centers in Tokyo and Berlin in 1999, profitability would be elusive for the maiden venture. Despite promising foot traffic of six million in the first year, one million ahead of pre-launch projections, by the summer of 2001, a major exhibit, "The Way Things Work", was closed and a major tenant, the Microsoft store exited in late 2001. The 15 screen Loews theater was a manifest success, operating as one of the most profitable theaters in the country and claiming a good portion of the Metreon foot traffic. The lease agreement, however, did not apportion ticket or concession sales to Metreon{{ref|Loews}}. By 2002, rumors persisted that Sony wished to pull out of management of the property.

Related Topics:
June 16 - 1999 - Sony - San Francisco - USD - Tokyo - Berlin - Microsoft - Loews

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As a hub for Sony products, consumers clamoring for high-demand items such as the PlayStation 2 or PSP have flocked to the Metreon on release day.

Related Topics:
PlayStation 2 - PSP

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Metreon is also home to the Walk of Game, which is loosely based on the Walk of Fame - honorees include Shigeru Miyamoto and Nolan Bushnell.

Related Topics:
Walk of Game - Walk of Fame - Shigeru Miyamoto - Nolan Bushnell

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~