Topgolf International to Build a 65,000-SF Entertainment Center and Create 450 Jobs in Virginia Beach

November 18, 2014

Golf entertainment leader Topgolf International, Inc. today officially unveiled Virginia Beach as its third location planned in Virginia. Topgolf® will begin construction on the 65,000-square-foot facility in December, and the site is expected to open to the public in fall 2015.

Topgolf Virginia Beach will be located at I-264 and Newtown Road off of Greenwich Road. The facility will be a couple of miles from Town Center Virginia Beach and a 15- to 20-minute drive from the oceanfront resort as well as downtown Norfolk. The company plans to invest $29.9 million in Virginia Beach during the next three years.

Topgolf is the only entertainment center of its kind, offering competitive golfing games for all ages and skill levels and advanced technology to track players’ shots. Those who just want to relax can enjoy the upscale, laid-back ambiance that boasts more than 230 high-definition flat-screen TVs and an extensive food and beverage menu.

The first Topgolf to open in the United States is located in Alexandria. In April, the company announced plans to build in Loudoun County.

“Virginia Beach is an ideal location for Topgolf,” said Topgolf Real Estate Director Zach Shor. “The tourism industry is booming, and the local business economy is also very strong, with more than 20 international companies headquartered here. It’s just a great place to live and work, and we are thrilled for the opportunity to offer residents another option for entertainment.”

“This is an exciting announcement for the City of Virginia Beach and the entire region,” said Warren D. Harris, director, Virginia Beach Economic Development. “Topgolf is one of the nation’s most dynamic new entertainment concepts integrating technology with sports, recreation and dining. Virginia Beach is joining a select group of markets in the country welcoming Topgolf. This will definitely be an asset as we seek to attract and retain a talented workforce.”

The new three-level location, constructed by ARCO/Murray, will include up to 3,000 square feet of private event space and 102 climate-controlled hitting bays that can host up to six players at one time. Shor estimates that Topgolf Virginia Beach will serve approximately 450,000 visitors in its first year of operation. Nearly half of all Topgolf guests describe themselves as non-golfers.

The Virginia Beach Development Authority approved an Economic Development Investment Program grant in the amount of $300,000 based on the capital investment in the City.

Founded in 2000, Topgolf welcomed its 10 millionth visitor last November. Topgolf’s economic impact in its local communities is also remarkable, creating 450 full- and part-time jobs at each location and serving as an anchor tenant that tends to attract other popular franchises to the area. In fact, its economic output in Virginia Beach alone is expected to exceed $264.5 million over a 10-year period, according to a third-party audit.

Residents can track Topgolf’s site progress in Virginia Beach at facebook.com/topgolfvabeach and @topgolfvabeach on Twitter and Instagram.

Topgolf is the emerging global leader in golf entertainment with 13 locations serving more than 2.7 million guests annually. Players hit golf balls containing computer microchips that track each shot’s accuracy and distance while also awarding points for hitting targets on the outfield. Each facility offers an upscale, laid-back experience that features climate-controlled hitting bays and an impressive food and beverage menu crafted by an executive chef. Mix in dynamic event spaces for groups of all sizes, and Topgolf stands as the premier entertainment complex where the competition of sport meets the neighborhood’s favorite hangout. To learn more about Topgolf, visit www.topgolf.com.

The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia with a population of 440,000, and it is the 37^th largest in the United States. It is recognized as one of the Best Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2012 and is one of only 29 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. It is listed among the Top Five Overall Mid-sized American Cities of the Future, Top 10 for Economic Potential and Top Five for Infrastructure by fDi Magazine. CNNMoney.com ranked Virginia Beach as the Easiest Place to Start a Business and the 2^nd Most Business-Friendly City in the country. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com.

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News Release: VBgov.com/Info