Washington, DC – Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) announced that Clark Construction Group (Clark), Gensler, and CAA ICON will serve as partners in the delivery of the upcoming transformation of Capital One Arena.
The planned enhancements will deliver best-in-class experience for fans, a world-class destination facility for athletes and will ensure the Capital One Arena remains the anchor for economic vitality in Downtown DC. The transformation will include state-of-the-art upgrades, expanded facilities, and innovative design elements that reflect MSE’s commitment to providing world-class entertainment experiences.
“Clark, Gensler, and CAA ICON are industry leaders with a wealth of local and national experience and proven track records in planning and executing complex projects,” said Jordan Silberman, President, Venues at Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “We are excited to collaborate with them to reimagine Capital One Arena, creating the spaces for unforgettable experiences for fans, athletes, and the community. Together, we’re laying the foundation for an entertainment district that will serve as a vibrant destination for generations to come.”
Global design and architecture firm Gensler has unparalleled experience designing some of the most iconic sports and entertainment venues across the country, including the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, upcoming renovations to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, and the Crypto.com Arena, home of the Los Angeles Kings, Lakers, Sparks, and the Clippers. In addition to their sports portfolio, Gensler has extensive master planning and urban design experience on projects that span the globe.
“We’re passionate about improving the athlete and the fan experience in an impactful way,” said Jordan Goldstein, Co-CEO of Gensler. “The upcoming transformation of Capital One Arena will improve the connection between player and fan – through immersive engagement, significant architectural intervention, and enhanced arena operations. By working alongside Clark Construction to revitalize the existing arena, we’re further demonstrating how Downtown D.C. is an economic anchor committed to a sustainable future. We’re fortunate to have the ongoing partnership and support of Monumental Sports & Entertainment to make this transformative renovation happen and create positive impact in our community.”
Having constructed the original arena, Clark brings unparalleled expertise and familiarity with the building’s structure, ensuring a smoother renovation process with minimized risks and increased efficiency. Clark’s early involvement has also enabled competitive sourcing of subcontractors, ensuring optimal pricing and quality while maximizing participation from small businesses and the local workforce.
“We’re honored to deepen our partnership with MSE and participate in the revitalization of this cultural cornerstone of Washington, D.C.,” said Lee Delong, Capital Group CEO for Clark. “This work will transform Capital One Arena into a world-class facility that embodies the spirit and connectivity of this city and its teams, underscoring Clark’s commitment to the communities we serve by reinvigorating the vitality of the Gallery Place neighborhood and expanding local economic opportunities for decades to come.”
CAA ICON will serve as the owner’s representative for MSE in the upcoming transformation of Capital One Arena. As the owner’s rep, CAA ICON will act as a liaison between MSE and all stakeholders involved in the renovation, ensuring the project aligns with MSE’s vision and goals. Their role includes overseeing the design and construction process, managing budgets and schedules, facilitating communication between architects, contractors, and MSE leadership, and utilizing lessons learned from its 20 years in the sports venue development business to enhance the value of each dollar spent. This partnership ensures that the arena’s transformation is executed efficiently and strategically, maintaining a focus on enhancing the fan experience while supporting the economic growth of downtown D.C.
“We are driven by MSE’s vision for Capital One Arena and its integral role in Downtown D.C.’s past, present, and future,” said Marc Farha, Co-CEO of CAA ICON. “We are grateful to be part of a team that shares the same values and are committed to the meaningful impact that sports and entertainment venues have on their communities through unforgettable events, economic growth, and job creation.”
A cornerstone of this partnership is its significant legacy impact on the local economy during construction—providing meaningful contracting opportunities for Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) and other local businesses, as well as creating new jobs and training programs for D.C. residents. The project will have a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) and First Source employment program and will promote local business participation and prioritize District residents for job opportunities. A Project Labor Agreement will be in place to ensure fair labor practices.
The D.C. Council will review and vote on legislation this fall codifying the public-private partnership and representing the final milestone before moving forward with the transformation of Capital One Arena. For more information, visit: https://www.capitalonearena.com/arena-info/arena-transformation
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About CAA ICON
A division of leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), CAA ICON is the industry’s-leading owner’s representative and strategic management consulting firm for public and private sports and entertainment facility owners/operators, professional franchises, and leagues. With more than 65 sports, entertainment, and public assembly projects and over 2,500 consulting engagements, CAA ICON has managed the development of many of the most successful venues around the world. Our experience spans 11 professional sports leagues and has totaled nearly $45 billion over the last 20 years in business. CAA ICON offers world-class service in the areas of feasibility and planning, project management, consulting, and beyond. For more information about CAA ICON, visit www.caaicon.com
About Clark Construction Group
Clark Construction Group is a locally based building and infrastructure company with national reach. Clark’s portfolio spans every major building market, from public to private, corporate to cultural, education to entertainment, and the infrastructure connecting it all – power, transit, water, and roadways. Since 1906, Clark has been delighting and delivering value to clients and project partners in the Washington Metropolitan market, providing diverse opportunities for its team, and strengthening the local community. Clark takes pride in being a local builder, delivering some of DC’s most exciting sports and entertainment venues including Northwest Stadium, Capital One Arena, and Nationals Park. To learn more, visit www.clarkconstruction.com.
About Gensler
At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren’t just designing buildings — we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design.
About Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is one of America’s leading sports and entertainment families. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people.
