We’ve all seen the announcements, the commercials, the behind-the-scenes spots that Universal has been posting to social media – we know what’s coming to Vegas, with Universal’s newest venture into a year-round haunt experience with Horror Unleashed. We also know that this groundbreaking venue doesn’t open until August 14th. And with just under a month to go until the grand opening of this stellar new experience just off the Vegas Strip, Universal has already announced a second location for Horror Unleashed, securing its place in the Northeast market as one of the biggest names in themed entertainment to tackle the area. Horror Unleashed is coming to Chicago.
“Universal Horror Unleashed delivers on our promise to create highly immersive and terrifying horror experiences that connect with fans year-round,” says Page Thompson, President of New Ventures at Universal Destinations & Experiences. “We’re excited to bring this bold concept to life in Chicago, a city known for its vibrant culture. We’re grateful for the city’s support as we convert this dormant site into a unique attraction that showcases our storytelling expertise and ability to deliver mind blowing experiences that shatter guest expectations.”
The dormant site in question is the former Freedom Center North building at the old Tribune Distribution Center. While the entirety of the Tribune Distribution Center closed in May of 2024, this particular building is just a small portion of the land previously allocated for the printing and distribution site; located at 700 W Chicago Avenue, the proposed building occupies 115,000 square feet of usable space, this location is around the same size as the location slated for Vegas, which is currently 110,000 square feet.
While much is currently unknown about the Chicago venture, it’s the latest in a string of high-visibility announcements that expand Universal’s market significantly, including the Vegas property, a park announced for England, and a kid’s resort in Texas that have all been announced within the last few months. Universal has noted that – much like the original location slated for Vegas, the Chicago location will feature “horror-centric entertainment”, as well as themed dining and retail opportunities.
Tickets for the Vegas property are on sale now, so book your horror experience soon, and Theme Park Shark will see you in the fog on August 14th, 2025. Check back soon, as Theme Park Shark will continue to bring you information about all things Horror Unleashed! In the meantime, check out Theme Park Shark on your favorite social media platform, like Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and expect to see plenty of footage from Theme Park Shark as we explore all the horrors that Universal has in store, as well as theme park news from Disney, Universal, and theme parks from all across the world!
