Paradigm Escape Rooms provides a “second generation” escape room equipped with electromagnetic locks and keypads, more high-tech than the first-generation progenitors that relied solely on physical props.
What began as a niche industry has grown to a billion-dollar market. In 2014, there were only 26 escape rooms nationwide. Now there are more than 2,600, said owner and Director Deanna Lopes, a Rhode Island native and graduate of Johnson & Wales University who traveled extensively before settling in Newport and signing a lease for the William Street building.
Newport has an appreciation for historical themes and immersive storytelling, such as the tours of Newport mansions or the murder mystery theaters, so Lopes decided to bring the concept back to the city.
“I always felt like Newport needed something like this,” she said.
The planning and design process took almost three years. Lopes designed the 2,200-square-foot space herself and hired New Bedford-based Mass Escape to handle the technical aspects.
Customers have a choice of games such as “Da Vinci’s Test” or traversing the tomb of an Egyptian King. Players have 60 minutes to play in each room.
Paradigm accepts groups of two to six but will rent out the space for private parties and corporate outings.