Washington $40M arena renovation

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Capital One Arena will get a $40 million facelift with modernized concourses and new concessions


Monumental Sports and Entertainment on Thursday announced the details of a privately funded, $40 million renovation investment in Capital One Arena, which will include new padded seats throughout the venue, a state-of-the-art sound system, modernized concourses, redesigned concession stands and more. The renovations will begin after the Capitals’ and Wizards’ current seasons and are expected to be completed by the fall.

“Capital One Arena is part of the heartbeat of Washington,” Monumental Sports and Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis said in a release. “We are incredibly proud to be making this investment in a building that has played a key role in shaping our city, and that has been home to so many great memories for people across the DMV. These upgrades will ensure that the fan experience at Capital One Arena remains second to none.”

The concourses on the 100 and 400 levels of the Chinatown venue, which opened as MCI Center in 1997 at a cost of $260 million, are slated for complete makeovers according to the company, with new flooring, lighting and decor. The team store inside the arena’s F Street entrance will be updated and, upon completion of the renovations, be open year-round. Two lounges will be added for premium ticket-holders, and revamped concession stands will feature a variety of new items, including concepts from celebrity chefs Cat Cora and Alex McCoy and local restaurant partners. The arena’s purple seats will be replaced by black seats with cupholders. New digital displays will be added throughout the concourses to make the arena easier to navigate. Part of the investment will also go toward further developing the Monumental360 program, a data-based effort to analyze fan preferences and deliver a more personalized fan experience.


Leonsis’s planned $40 million investment in the privately owned arena was first mentioned in August, when Monumental announced a new naming-rights deal with McLean-based Capital One, worth a reported $100 million over 10 years. The arena had been known as Verizon Center since 2006.

Capital One Arena is home to the Capitals, Wizards, Mystics, Georgetown basketball and Valor, one of the two Arena Football League franchises Leonsis owns. The venue will continue to host concerts and shows, as well as Mystics and Valor games, this summer during the renovations. The Mystics’ new home on the campus of the former St. Elizabeths hospital in Southeast, which will also serve as the Wizards’ new practice center and the home of Monumental Sports and Entertainment’s developmental league team, is scheduled to open in the fall. Additional details about the renovations are available at CapitalOneArenaRenovation.com.

www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2018/02/08/capital-one-arena-will-get-a-40-million-facelift-with-modernized-concourses-and-new-concessions/?utm_term=.530ab06b21f1

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Latest Capital One Arena Renovations Unveiled



Monumental Sports & Entertainment is unveiling the results of a $30 million Capital One Arena renovation, with concessions and technology upgrades made at the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards home.

The entirely privately-funded project complemented the $40 million renovation at the arena the summer of 2018.

Capital One Arena has utilized the latest in LED video technology to completely transform the in-arena experience and bring fans closer than ever to all the action. The commitment to best-in-class LED displays began with Phase I Renovations which updated more than 350 arena network television screens, 85 98-inch screens, 50 55-inch screens and 23 large format LED boards around the concourse, allowing fans to experience the best of sports technology as they enjoy one of the premier arenas in the country.

One of the Largest 360-Degree Continuous Video Screens in Sports: A revolutionary new centerhung scoreboard that will feature:
One of the largest 360-degree continuous video screen of any arena in the United States with over 7,000 total square feet of SMART LED display
Eight distinct display areas, delivering not just video of the action but real-time stats, scores, and updates
First ever 4mm pixel pitch with eight sizes and a retractable display
Ability to retract for customized and enhanced fan entertainment
Sightlines for VIP seatholders to underbelly screens for live game and replay action
Revolutionary Two-Sided DualTV Boards: Four state-of-the-art two-sided, curved DualTV boards in the corners of the arena will ensure every fan has a premium view of all the action and feature live action, statistics, betting lines and other news items. The boards boast more than 2,200 square feet of HD LED video display arena-side and the first back-side LED video display in the industry. Over 1,000 square feet of HD LED video display on the back-side will deliver stats and scores alongside live action.
A Gravity-Defying SkyRing Display: For the first time in an indoor arena, Capital One Arena features an incredible SkyRing that will feature over 9,000 square feet of LED video, wrapping the roofline of the arena bowl.
Measures 390 feet in diameter – the largest display in any U.S. arena to date
Over 9,250 square feet of LED display area
1,230 square foot circumference wraps the arena
Best-in-class HD with true-to-color quality
Wrapped to Perfection Ribbon Boards: All ribbon boards received an update with new, unrivaled 10mm LED boards delivering an exceptional picture for fans.
Updated Upper and Lower Fascia ribbons with 1,600 square feet of brand-new LED
Addition of two new end zone ribbons adding more than 1,040 additional square feet of LED display to Capital One Arena
True-to-color quality
New LED Sports and Bowl Lighting: All sports and seating lighting were replaced with new LED lighting.
Tunable white fixtures for customizable sports lighting
Color-changing LED lights for customized arena bowl lighting
Stronger lumen output per fixture
Environmentally conscientious 60 to 75 percent energy-use reduction
Modernized 200 Level Concourse and Updated Suites: The Kettler Loft 200 level concourse joined the previously-renovated 100 and 400 levels in receiving a complete makeover, including new flooring, new lighting, and sleek new décor. Suites also received new seats and carpeting.
“With this latest round of renovations and upgrades at Capital One Arena, we have raised the game once again in terms of best-in-class arena experience for sports and entertainment,” said David Touhey, President – Venues, Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Features such as one of the largest 360-degree continuous screen in sports and access to live action, stats and betting lines via dual-vision corner boards and the 9,000 square foot SkyRing make Capital One Arena one of the top digitally-integrated venues in the world.”

“Investing in the best technology available to provide fans with a superior in-venue experience is incredibly important to us at Monumental,” said Jim Van Stone, President/Chief Commercial Officer, Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “From a business perspective, the massive LED capabilities at Capital One Arena will provide our partners with unprecedented ability to reach fans through innovative content.”

“An essential piece of the puzzle towards an ultimate fan experience at Capital One Arena was to create a web of digital media, where fan engagement and interactivity grab the eye of every visitor,” said Joseph Bocko, President – Colosseo USA, Inc. “Colosseo’s unique innovations in centerhung video board design and LED SkyRing are setting a bar in applied technologies for sports and entertainment venues of the future. Colosseo is proud to assist Capital One Arena in becoming the most advanced venue in regards to the capabilities of applied technologies.

Monumental and Aramark also announced enhancements to the food and beverage experience at Capital One Arena, which include the addition of Founding Spirits, Logan’s Sausage Company, and Ben’s Chili Bowl.

Founding Spirits – farmer-owned, DC-born spirits company – creates award-winning spirits that are mindfully sourced from American farmers and distilled in the heart of Washington, DC. Located around the corner at Farmers & Distillers and led by Jon Arroyo and Bob Vanlancker, Founding Spirits invites thoughtful drinkers in DC and beyond to know their distiller and enjoy handcrafted vodka, gin, whiskey, and amaro.

Logan’s Sausage Company is a specialty maker of fine sausage in the DC metropolitan area and has been doing so for over 28 years. Fans will enjoy a wide variety of Chorizo, along with truly authentic recipes for Italian, Kielbasa, Andouille, Bratwurst and more.

Ben’s Chili Bowl will have a stand located near section 120 next to the team store and a portable stand near section 408. The stand near section 120 will feature the Chili Cheese Burger, Chili Cheese Fries, Bowl of Chili Con Carne and Chili Half Smoke. The 408 location will have Chili Half Smokes and Bowls of Chili Con Carne.

“We’re excited to unveil Capital One Arena’s latest food and beverage offerings, including new concepts and more local partnerships, to complement last year’s upgrades and renovations,” said Liz Noe, District Manager – Aramark’s Sports & Entertainment Division. “As part of Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s transformation of the overall arena experience, we look forward to welcoming visitors and having them enjoy this newly elevated dining experience.”

“In collaboration with our partners at Aramark, we worked hard to elevate our world-class fan experience at Capital One Arena by upgrading concession stands and providing even more exciting dining options at the venue,” said David Touhey, President – Venues, Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Fans will enjoy the wide array of food and drink options as well as innovative improvements to help limit time spent in the concourses and increase time in their seats watching games and shows.”

“A top-notch dining experience is essential to delivering a first-class fan experience,” said Jim Van Stone, President/Chief Commercial Officer, Monumental Sports & Entertainment.”Through the use of innovation in stands such as The Exchange, enhancements to destination lounges, and the addition of D.C. staples such as Ben’s Chili Bowl, Logan’s Sausage Company and Founding Spirits, we continue to set the bar for in-arena culinary excellence.”

Updates during Phase II also included additional mouth-watering new concession options, expansion of luxury seating, and a refurbished destination lounge.

Newly-Designed Concessions: As part of Phase II of renovations at Capital One Arena, all 200-level concession stands received an update, including District Grill (sections 201, 216). The venue also added The Exchange (section 214) – a new marketplace concept which will have a pizza action station, two-screen self-serve beer wall, packaged wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and assorted grab n go products, salads, wraps and sandwiches as well as Tenders Love & Chicken (section 229) – a new concept offering home style-breaded chicken tenders a variety of sauces, and ranch-seasoned, hand-tossed fries. Additional partnerships with some of the top chefs in the District will continue to bring exceptional food to the fan experience.
Get Even Closer in the Ultra Club: The Ultra Club – a private, members-only space on the 200 level – received a major refresh with newly-designed décor and furniture including 120 additional premium seats, state-of-the-art entry video walls and enhanced Ultra experiences for members. Ultra Club benefits include an all-inclusive dining experience featuring world-renowned chef-inspired menus, along with complimentary beer and soft drinks.
Rebranded Devil’s Backbone Lounge: The 400 level was also updated with the introduction of Devils Backbone Lounge, open to all fans. Brewed in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Devils Backbone Brewing Company is committed to crafting award-winning beers like Vienna Lager and Eight Point IPA. This year, Devils Backbone has new releases brewed in partnership with the teams that play in Capital One Arena – Capit-Ale for the Capitals and Full Court Press Hard Cherry Lemonade for the Wizards.
Other new menu item highlights include:

Chef Boyd Velasquez 6th St. Taco Bowl at Tacos 202 (section 107)
Chicken and Mac n Cheese Waffle Cone and a foot-long hot dog loaded with bacon jam, stout caramelized onions, and German mustard at DC Selects (section 110)
El Jefe’ burger, which comes with green chili relish, gouda, queso fresco, red onion, mustard, and lettuce at Lucky Buns (now section 413)
Beef noodle bowl, peanut noodle salad, CHIKO tots, and Kimchi dog at CHIKO (section 105)
Capital One Arena is proud to partner with celebrity chefs including Danny Lee and Scott Drewno (CHIKO), Alex McCoy (Lucky Buns) and David Chang (Fuku).

In addition, Monumental has announced a partnership with KultureCity to make Capital One Arena and all of its programs and events sensory inclusive.

arenadigest.com/2019/11/11/latest-capital-one-arena-renovations-unveiled/