Inner-city conversion: from retail to VR experience

With a nationwide enquiry, the leisure provider TimeRide is looking for an area in a tourist location. For Frankfurt, a journey back in time to the year 1891 is to come true there: After the colonial goods shop and study room, the virtual carriage ride with virtual reality glasses will take you on a 360° panoramic view through medieval half-timbered ensembles and Wilhelminian-style buildings.

Time travel is possible

"The area on Berliner Straße directly next to Paulskirche is made for this innovative project. We were happy to support this inner-city conversion," says Olga Felde, Consultant Retail Leasing Frankfurt. Where usually city guides show their groups the German democracy monument Paulskirche, TimeRide meets an interested audience. The entertainment and education provider creates time travels throughout Germany in the field of virtual reality with VR glasses and historical replicas to touch. 175 square metres plus 110 square metres in the basement are available for this in Frankfurt.

Hygiene concept makes it work

The request and the space were quickly found. The landlord was happy to take care of the retrofitting in terms of power supply. After the architectural planning and the approval of the city were completed, the Munich-based company opened the inner-city leisure facility in June 2020. The hygiene concept, including mandatory masks, distance rules, VR goggle and surface disinfection, has proven its worth, and TimeRide Frankfurt has been pleased with the continued strong visitor interest since the opening.

"We are very proud that TimeRide has been offering time travel to old Frankfurt since summer 2020," explains Jonas Rothe, the managing director and founder of TimeRide GmbH. "Frankfurt am Main inspires me personally as an incomparably diverse city that can look back on a fascinating history."