State-funded renovations of M&T Bank Stadium could begin as early as next year and the Maryland Stadium Authority has identified Gensler as the architecture firm that will design the project.
The stadium authority issued a request for proposal on Jan. 27 and, of the five firms who conducted oral presentations, Gensler was selected to design the renovations for nearly $18 million.
Yai Waite, an assistant vice president of procurement for the stadium authority, said during Tuesday’s stadium authority board meeting that Gensler was tied for the highest score among the firms who presented and offered the lowest fee. The board unanimously approved the contract.
Gensler, a self-described “global architecture, design and planning firm,” has 53 offices internationally. The firm has designed a wide range of projects, including some sports venues; it is currently working on renovations to Crypto.com Arena — the home of the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers — in Los Angeles and designed stadiums for San Diego State football and Major League Soccer teams Austin FC and Los Angeles FC.
In 2021, the Ravens retained to design the Baltimore stadium’s renovations, but the firm is no longer involved with the project, a stadium authority spokesperson said Tuesday.
the team’s landlord, in January. Under the agreement, which lasts until at least 2037 and prevents the team from relocating, the team pays for operation and maintenance of the stadium but no rent.
Crucially, the lease unlocked hundreds of millions in public funding. The Maryland General Assembly last year authorized the stadium authority to borrow up to $1.2 billion (split evenly between the Ravens’ and Orioles’ venues) for upgrades to both stadiums. Former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan then signed the bill into law.
Ravens team president Sashi Brown said in January that . Some of the likely improvements — which would ultimately be paid for by public lottery funds — will focus on premium seating, like constructing field-level suites.
“Certainly, proximity to the game action is going to be a big focus for us,” Brown said.
Other possibilities include creating more social spaces in the stadium as well developing plazas that connect the venue to the neighboring Horseshoe casino and Topgolf driving range.
Jonathan Emmett, who designs sports venues for , is quoted on the firm’s website as saying: “We will soon see sports and entertainment venues designed to be seamlessly integrated into mixed-use urban districts.”
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