VR Bengaluru, [2] is a mixed-use retail development in India, situated in Whitefield, Bangalore. Its gross floor area is 600,000 square feet (56,000 m2).[1][3] In addition to the retail arcade, the compound hosts a hotel, a multiplex with the largest Gold Class[4] in India along with an IMAX,[5] commercial spaces and customisable collaborative working spaces for start-ups and entrepreneurs.[6]
The centre consists of The Hive - a co-working space, The Waverly - Hotel & Residences and the SkyDeck - an activated rooftop with a temperature-controlled pool, a jogging track and an open-air LED screen. South India's first H&M store was launched here in 2016.[7]
This center is owned, developed and operated by Virtuous Retail South Asia Pte Ltd. VR Bengaluru is part of a mixed-use development which includes residential spaces, a retail arcade and customisable collaborative working spaces. The Black Box on Whitefield Road, VR Bengaluru is touted as a "first-of-its-kind community-centric integrated lifestyle destination of the city". The centre is home to an assortment of brands, a nine-screen multiplex including a purpose-built IMAX which is the biggest in Bangalore, apart from India's largest Gold Class, several pubs, cafes and restaurants spread across the centre, an upscale food court and several fitness & wellness options.
The open landscaped events space at VR Bengaluru, known as "Garden City" regularly hosts community events such as music festivals, farmers’ & artisan markets, activities for children, etc.[8]
VR Bengaluru hosts a 9-screen multiplex from PVR and also Bangalore's second IMAX theatre and India's biggest Gold Class theatres. This is Bangalore's only purpose-built IMAX screen and not retrofitted from a pre-existing screen, thus delivering a pure, unadulterated IMAX experience to viewers.[9]
Apart from a cinema, the centre also places kids at the top of its list of patrons to engage. To this end, they have pedestrianised outdoor locales with a landscaped "Garden City" area where kids can run, play and be themselves without worrying about traffic or other hazards present in an urban environment.
The centre also has a vintage carousel that is actually functional and operates regularly. VR Bengaluru has also invested in "Magic Garden",[10] a sculpted, soft foam play area for kids that is safe, secure and germ free. While this is to engage the very young, older children and teenagers have a full arcade, Fun City [11] to choose from, including unique indoor rides.
