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City permits Activate live-action game center at St. Johns Town Center
jaxdailyrecord.com Jul 16, 2026

City permits Activate live-action game center at St. Johns Town Center

Curated by · TechCapsules ·

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The City of Jacksonville issued a permit on July 15 for Activate, a Canadian immersive live-action game center, to open at St. Johns Town Center. Located at 10275 Buckhead Branch Drive, Suite 101, the facility occupies the former Ballard Designs space. The $1.6 million project involves an 8,700-square-foot build-out by ARCO/Murray National Construction Co. Inc., featuring 12 interactive game rooms. Activate, which operates over 75 locations globally, will run this Jacksonville site as a company-owned location rather than a franchise. The center, situated between Nordstrom and Dillard’s, offers physical challenges like laser mazes and interactive rock walls. A spokesperson confirmed the venue will open this year. Enovative Technologies Inc. served as the agent, with GMA Architecture designing the space. Activate currently has two Florida locations in Altamonte Springs and Orlando, with another planned for Miami. The facility aims to provide adrenaline-filled adventures through real-time reactive technology, requiring participants to jump, climb, and solve problems across various themed rooms.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · This expansion signals a strategic shift toward high-engagement physical entertainment in traditional retail spaces.
  • · By replacing a standard clothing retailer with an immersive activity center, St.
  • · Johns Town Center adapts to evolving consumer demands for experiential leisure over passive shopping.
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