Monaco Unveils Box 98: A Comprehensive Entertainment Venue
The new 4,700 m² leisure complex features indoor karting, arcade games, and bowling, aimed at enhancing entertainment options for residents.
Beginning April 1, Monaco will open Box 98, a substantial entertainment complex that spans 4,700 square meters in Fontvieille, on the site of the former Prince's car collection.
This eagerly anticipated venue will include an indoor karting track for both adults and children, arcade games, and a bowling alley, alongside provisions for karaoke and screenings of sporting events such as football and Formula 1 races.
Box 98 is designed to accommodate up to 500 visitors.
Clivio Piccione, a former racing driver and one of the primary figures behind this project, has collaborated with associates Gérard Sistek and Paolo Gagliardini.
Piccione has been a longstanding advocate for karting in Monaco, previously promoting the sport in temporary settings at the Monaco harbor and Fishermen's parking before seeking a more permanent solution.
His pursuit for space culminated in the relocation of the automobile museum in 2023, allowing Piccione and his team to win the government's bid to create a new leisure facility.
The central feature of Box 98 is a 400-meter karting track inspired by the Grand Prix of Monaco, notable for its technical design involving over 80% of the track constructed off the ground on metal supports.
This innovative approach maximizes space and ensures a thrilling driving experience.
The electric go-karts come in various sizes for adults, children, and can accommodate individuals with reduced mobility.
Prices are set at 25 euros for adults and 18 euros for children for an eight-minute session.
Beyond karting, Box 98 includes extensive arcade gaming areas, driving simulators, two billiards tables, and a bowling alley featuring four lanes.
Karaoke facilities are divided into a smaller room for eight and a larger, transformable space suitable for private events.
The privatization cost for the bigger room is approximately a hundred euros per hour, described as affordable by Piccione.
Additionally, the venue houses a bar and snack area with outdoor seating, managed by the Costa brand, as well as a gift shop specializing in motorsport memorabilia.
Plans for community engagement include setting up numerous screens within Box 98 to host events corresponding with major sports broadcasts, closely mirroring the atmosphere of the now-closed Stars’N’Bars establishment, a famed local venue.
The legacy of Stars’N’Bars is represented with memorabilia showcased in the bar area.
Although Box 98's current operation is limited to one year at this site, there remains uncertainty about its future, tied to development plans for a forthcoming shopping center in Fontvieille.
Piccione expressed hope for the venue's sustainability if attendance meets expectations, indicating that significant investments have been made in this endeavor.
Annual opening hours for Box 98 will be: closed on Mondays; Tuesdays to Thursdays from 11:30 to 23:00; Fridays from 11:30 to Midnight; Saturdays from 10:00 to Midnight; and Sundays from 10:00 to 19:00.
Furthermore, the Monaco government is also preparing to launch a new entertainment center within the ZAC Saint Antoine area of Cap d’Ail, with an invitation for bids issued on January 10 for a space exceeding 1,200 square meters dedicated to recreational activities for various age groups.
This eagerly anticipated venue will include an indoor karting track for both adults and children, arcade games, and a bowling alley, alongside provisions for karaoke and screenings of sporting events such as football and Formula 1 races.
Box 98 is designed to accommodate up to 500 visitors.
Clivio Piccione, a former racing driver and one of the primary figures behind this project, has collaborated with associates Gérard Sistek and Paolo Gagliardini.
Piccione has been a longstanding advocate for karting in Monaco, previously promoting the sport in temporary settings at the Monaco harbor and Fishermen's parking before seeking a more permanent solution.
His pursuit for space culminated in the relocation of the automobile museum in 2023, allowing Piccione and his team to win the government's bid to create a new leisure facility.
The central feature of Box 98 is a 400-meter karting track inspired by the Grand Prix of Monaco, notable for its technical design involving over 80% of the track constructed off the ground on metal supports.
This innovative approach maximizes space and ensures a thrilling driving experience.
The electric go-karts come in various sizes for adults, children, and can accommodate individuals with reduced mobility.
Prices are set at 25 euros for adults and 18 euros for children for an eight-minute session.
Beyond karting, Box 98 includes extensive arcade gaming areas, driving simulators, two billiards tables, and a bowling alley featuring four lanes.
Karaoke facilities are divided into a smaller room for eight and a larger, transformable space suitable for private events.
The privatization cost for the bigger room is approximately a hundred euros per hour, described as affordable by Piccione.
Additionally, the venue houses a bar and snack area with outdoor seating, managed by the Costa brand, as well as a gift shop specializing in motorsport memorabilia.
Plans for community engagement include setting up numerous screens within Box 98 to host events corresponding with major sports broadcasts, closely mirroring the atmosphere of the now-closed Stars’N’Bars establishment, a famed local venue.
The legacy of Stars’N’Bars is represented with memorabilia showcased in the bar area.
Although Box 98's current operation is limited to one year at this site, there remains uncertainty about its future, tied to development plans for a forthcoming shopping center in Fontvieille.
Piccione expressed hope for the venue's sustainability if attendance meets expectations, indicating that significant investments have been made in this endeavor.
Annual opening hours for Box 98 will be: closed on Mondays; Tuesdays to Thursdays from 11:30 to 23:00; Fridays from 11:30 to Midnight; Saturdays from 10:00 to Midnight; and Sundays from 10:00 to 19:00.
Furthermore, the Monaco government is also preparing to launch a new entertainment center within the ZAC Saint Antoine area of Cap d’Ail, with an invitation for bids issued on January 10 for a space exceeding 1,200 square meters dedicated to recreational activities for various age groups.
