Japanese Entertainment Chain Round 1 Eyes Times Square Location

The vibrant entertainment landscape of Times Square may soon welcome another Asian player, with reports suggesting that Round 1, a US subsidiary of a Japanese amusement chain, is considering a lease at 1540 Broadway.

While Round 1's interest in the location is currently unconfirmed, a move to the bustling Midtown Manhattan district would align with a broader trend of increasing presence by Japanese, Chinese, South Korean, and Singaporean entertainment and novelty companies in the area. Vornado Realty Trust, the retail landlord of 1540 Broadway, has declined to comment on the potential lease.

Round 1 operates over 100 locations in Japan and approximately 60 in the United States. Its sole current New York City venue is located at the Shops at Skyview in Flushing, Queens. This expansive 80,000-square-foot facility offers a variety of attractions, including arcade games, bowling alleys, billiards, ping-pong tables, event spaces, and food service.

The building at 1540 Broadway, situated between West 45th and 46th streets, has roughly 190,000 square feet of retail space, with Vornado's website indicating approximately 122,000 square feet currently available.

This potential expansion by Round 1 follows a recent lease agreement at the same address by Pop Mart, a Chinese company known for its collectible toy dolls like Labubu. Pop Mart secured over 7,000 square feet at the south corner of 1540 Broadway. Other tenants in the building include the Disney Store and the US Polo Association. The bankrupt Forever 21 chain recently vacated a substantial 91,000-square-foot space within the property.