As the year winds down, construction on the MSG Sphere at The Venetian in Las Vegas is making progress, according to an update from The Madison Square Garden Company.
Construction has been underway on the venue, which will be located on an 18-acre site on Sands Avenue between Manhattan Street and Koval Lane (next to the Sands Expo Convention Center, part of the complex that includes the Venetian Resort, The Palazzo and the Grand Canal Shoppes). Billed as an immersive entertainment venue, MSG Sphere at The Venetian will feature a spherical shape, with a fully programmable LED exterior. (We covered some of the venue’s planned technology features in a June story.)
With 2019 coming to a close, some of the venue’s key characteristics are taking shape, including its spherical shape, the stage, and event seating and atrium. That is according to Madison Square Garden Co., which continues to target an opening in calendar year 2021 for the MSG Sphere at The Venetian.
Here is more information on the project’s progress to date, with information provided by Madison Square Garden Co:
MSG Sphere Snapshot
Over the past year, in addition to completing grading and excavation, primary activity has included pouring extensive amounts of cast-in-place concrete and laying millions of pounds of rebar. Once complete, MSG Sphere will be the largest spherical building in the world at 875,000 square feet. 2019 highlights include:
– Poured 33,182 cubic yards of concrete (nearly 4.5 Olympic swimming pools)
– Laid 14,724,380 lbs. of rebar
– Vertical construction has reached Level 4 (out of 8 levels) with work now taking place 65-feet above ground level; once complete MSG Sphere will rise to 366-feet tall
– Below grade mechanical, electrical and plumbing work has begun
Setting the Stage for the Future of Entertainment
As the venue emerges from the ground its iconic spherical shape is materializing, and guest areas are developing. MSG Sphere will feature seven seating levels with approximately 17,500 seats and a maximum capacity of just over 20,000 when there is a mix of seated and standing.
– Concrete has been placed for the 2nd floor main atrium
– Concrete has been poured forming the foundation for the 4,000 square foot stage
– Raker beams to support permanent venue seating have been placed at level 2
Investing in Las Vegas
MSG Sphere will provide long-term investment in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada, delivering enormous economic benefits including thousands of jobs during construction and venue operation.
– There are currently more than 800 tradesmen working on site every day
– This will grow to approximately 1,500 when construction reaches its peak
2020 New Year’s Resolutions
The New Year will bring many new milestones throughout the year:
– Vertical construction will continue, reaching the “equator” – the widest section of MSG Sphere (Level 6) at 108 feet above grade
– Structural steel will begin to be put in place and the steel geodesic sphere wrapping around the building’s exterior, which will support the fully programmable LED display, will start to take shape
– Interior and infrastructure work will also begin
“MSG Sphere is an engineering marvel that will change the face of entertainment right here in Las Vegas,” Nick Tomasino, VP Construction for The Madison Square Garden Company, said in a press statement. “From the venue’s iconic spherical shape, the stage, seating and even the remarkable atrium, it’s easy to see the considerable progress we’ve made this year. I thank all of the dedicated workers who are helping us deliver on this vision and look forward to reaching more milestones in the coming year.”
Images courtesy Madison Square Garden Co.
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