Round1 Bowling & Amusement’s move into a former Sears box at the enclosed Mall of Victor Valley in Victorville, California, marks a clear moment in how experiential real estate is reshaping aging retail spaces with entertainment hubs meant to pull people back into the mall.
The company's 78,000-square-foot lease at 14420 Bear Valley Road has won a 2026 CoStar Impact Award, as voted on by judges with knowledge of the market.
The Round1 U.S.A. concept, long established in Japan, has spent the past decade building a sizable U.S. presence. What began with a single 2010 debut in California has grown into more than 50 operating or planned locations nationwide.
Each venue follows the company’s signature formula of bowling, exclusive arcade games, billiards, karaoke, ping-pong, darts and food and beverage. Many locations now add Kids Play Zone and Spo-Cha, its high‑activity “super entertainment” concept.
This latest lease reflects a broader trend as landlords turn to entertainment operators to fill large-format retail vacancies. With department stores continuing to shrink or exit, Round1 offers the kind of steady traffic many malls have lacked.
The reuse of a big-box space also brings practical benefits, from reduced construction waste to better use of existing infrastructure.
About the project: Each Round1 is built around the company’s signature mix of activities including bowling, arcade gaming with exclusive Japanese machines, billiards, karaoke, ping-pong, darts, food and beverage and increasingly, Kids Play Zone and Spo-Cha.
What the judges said: "The lease represents a forward-thinking approach to experiential real estate that continues to drive traffic, brand awareness, and long-term value," said Lon Mapes, president and CEO of LDM Commercial.
They made it happen: Newmark's David Freidman represented the tenant in the deal, while The Macerich Co.'s Jerry Anderson and Aaron Keswick represented the landlord.