Rosemont, Ill. – PHI Studio, the internationally acclaimed Montréal-based innovator in immersive arts, will launch EXP Rosemont with two celebrated large-scale immersive expeditions—Horizon of Khufu and Life Chronicles—produced by Excurio and distributed by PHI Studio. These debut experiences will anchor EXP, a groundbreaking 26,000-square-foot venue set to open on Friday, September 26th in Rosemont’s Pearl District at 9900 Berwyn Avenue.
Developed in partnership with the Village of Rosemont, EXP marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of entertainment. Designed as a next-generation immersive destination, EXP seamlessly integrates art, new technologies and storytelling through a curated rotation of virtual reality and sensory-rich experiences. This future-forward venue reimagines how audiences engage with culture and technology, pushing the boundaries of what an immersive experience can be.
“These two works embody our commitment to bringing bold and rich immersive content to new audiences,” said Eric Albert, PHI Studio’s CEO. “EXP will be a cultural catalyst for the Midwest, and we’re proud to launch it with stories that bridge art, science and imagination.”
Visitors can travel back-in-time through two free-roaming, 45-minute virtual reality expeditions. Headlining the opening slate is Horizon of Khufu, welcoming visitors to journey through a historically accurate depiction of Egypt’s 4,500-year-old architectural prowess, the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Guests will enter restricted chambers, ascend to the pyramid’s summit and sail along the Nile during King Khufu’s funerary rites.
This Great Pyramid of Khufu is a wonder-of-the-world was erected between 2,590 and 2,565 BC as 146-meter-high stone edifice, originally the largest ever built by man. Conceived to house King Khufu in his final resting place, the pyramid is one of seven pyramids that continues to attract and fascinate visitors from all over the world to this day. Horizon of Khufu is produced by Excurio and developed in collaboration with Harvard’s Peter Der Manuelian and the Giza Project. With over 1.5 million tickets sold worldwide, Horizon of Khufu has been hailed by Forbes as “an art form evoking genuine emotion and empathy.”
"These world-class immersive journeys set the tone for what EXP is all about, bringing innovative, globally acclaimed experiences to Rosemont for all to enjoy," said Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens. "This is just the beginning of our vision to establish EXP as a premier cultural destination for both residents and visitors alike."
The second experience, Life Chronicles, invites guests on a family-friendly immersive journey spanning 3.5 billion years of evolution. The adventure begins with the earliest microbes before it moves through the explosion of marine life and towering prehistoric forests and transports visitors into the Jurassic era to encounter giant marine reptiles and a family of dinosaurs from 67 million years ago. The journey continues with the rise of mammals and humanity, culminating in a present-day African savanna where giraffes and zebras roam freely. Produced by Excurio and France’s Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Life Chronicles delivers a scientifically validated exploration of ancient paleo-landscapes brought vividly to life.
EXP visitors can enjoy both Horizon of Khufu and Life Chronicles within the same space and timeframe. Guests have the flexibility to purchase tickets together and embark on different journeys or share the same immersive expedition side-by-side.
The official trailers for each experience can be viewed here: Horizon of Khufu Trailer | Life Chronicles Trailer.
Timed entry tickets for both experiences are now available at www.EXPRosemont.com. Tickets start at $43 for adults and $31 for children ages 8-16. Specially priced ticket packages are also available for families, students and seniors. A VIP ticket package is also available and includes priority access, a personalized badge and branded tote bag.
PHI Studio has developed a reputation as an incubator for talent at the vanguard and as a catalyst for the conception and implementation of immersive multidisciplinary projects. We are continually exploring the ways in which technology can lead to new forms of artistic expression and storytelling. PHI Studio is committed to collaborating with artists, producers, and partners to foster the creation and development of innovative artworks at the vanguard, shaping the future of the immersive experience.
Rosemont, Illinois, Chicagoland’s business and entertainment suburb, is conveniently located five minutes from O’Hare Airport and twenty minutes from Chicago’s downtown. Easily accessible via the area’s major highways, Rosemont is home to the Allstate Arena, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, a wide variety of hotel and dining options, Rosemont Theatre, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Parkway Bank Park entertainment district and Impact Field. Rosemont continues to flourish and evolve, based on 69 years of growth and under the current leadership of Mayor Bradley A. Stephens.