MSG names AECOM as contractor for Sphere in Vegas

Article by Coliseum, published June 14, 2019

Image: MSG / Sands

The Madison Square Garden Company has announced AECOM as the general contractor for its ambitious new Las Vegas venue MSG Sphere at The Venetian, according to a press release. Construction has already begun on the venue that is expected to open in 2021.

AECOM has worked on stadiums and entertainment venues including T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena in Atlanta and the United States Tennis Association Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.

“We are making important progress in Las Vegas and are pleased to have added another world-class company to our team. AECOM’s experience creating bold, innovative projects makes them the ideal partner for bringing MSG Sphere at The Venetian to life,” said MSG’s Executive VP development and construction Jayne McGivern in a statement.

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“We look forward to working with them to deliver a truly groundbreaking experience for Las Vegas, one that will ultimately redefine the entertainment industry and serve as a long-term investment in the city’s role as a leading international tourist destination,” he added.

Located on an 18-acre site on Sands Avenue between Manhattan Street and Koval Lane, MSG Sphere at The Venetian will feature an iconic spherical shape with a fully programmable LED exterior. This first-of-its-kind venue will be 360-feet tall and 516-feet wide and will connect to Las Vegas Sands’ Venetian Resort via an approximately 1,000-foot long pedestrian bridge.

“We’re excited to partner with The Madison Square Garden Company to deliver a next-generation venue in the heart of the world’s most celebrated entertainment capital,” added AECOM’s chairman and CEO Michael S. Burke. “We’re thrilled about this opportunity to leverage our unrivaled construction management capabilities and expertise on the world’s most complex projects to help transform an ambitious vision into a destination venue unlike any that exists today.”

The estimated 17,5000-seat venue will see guests surrounded by the world’s largest and highest resolution LED screen. More than 160,000 square feet of display surface will wrap up, over and behind the stage and audience for a completely immersive visual environment.

The Sphere anticipates hosting a variety of content including attractions, concerts, residencies, family shows, corporate events, award shows, product launches and select sporting events.

Design firm Populous and project manager Rider Levett Bucknall are also working on the state-of-the-art venue.

More details about the project will be revealed at the forthcoming Coliseum Summit US, Las Vegas, Nevada, US on August 28-29, 2019.

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