CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The clanging and buzzing of construction rang out inside the first floor or Water Tower Place, as creators of the new "Harry Potter: Magic at Play" exhibit put the finishing touches on the first-of-its-kind space.
"It's big and exciting. It's 30,000 square feet across 3 floors so it's a very expansive, Harry Potter experience," said Stacy Moscatelli, Co-President and Chief Strategy Officer at Superfly X.
"We didn't want this to be props and costumes,” she said. “We wanted this to be something you could touch, you could feel, that you could interact with in a really big way. For us, it's the most immersive experience we've ever created."
The exhibit will transport visitors to Hogwarts Castle, inside the Potions Dungeon, over to Hagrid's pumpkin patch, the Forbidden Forest and through the Quidditch training area.
"I like to describe this as Harry's journey,” she smiled. “You start at Privet Drive, just like Harry did. You take your first-year boat ride to Hogwarts, the Great Hall, you get sorted, all of that. One of the most exciting is the Quidditch training area, which is really interactive, very playful and fun. We have the Forbidden Forest area, it's really magical. It taps all the senses."
Moscatelli said the exhibit is for all ages as the Harry Potter books and movies are timeless.
"It's magical, and that doesn't go out of style,” she said. “The wonder of magic and finding your place never gets old. We have parents who have kids who they are introducing to the franchise. Our goal is to create an experience for parents and kids alike."
Hundreds of artists, creators and construction workers have been working on the exhibit for more than a year.
"We thought Chicago would be a great market to debut,” Moscatelli said. “Water Tower Place is a great space to bring this to life, and we haven't had anything in the Midwest yet for Harry Potter."
The space will feature several interactive games, sensory activations and immersive experiences, as well as a large area for Harry Potter merchandise.
"I think it's an amazing time to give the gift of experience, and this is perfect for people coming to visit the Mag Mile for the holidays,” she said. “We hope it brings out the young wizard and witch in all of us."
Harry Potter: Magic at Play will make its world premiere in Chicago on Friday, and it will be inside Water Tower Place through May 2023, when it will go on tour.
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