On Thursday 19 Dec, Monumental Sports & Entertainment released the new Capital One Arena renovations renderings which showed the detailed plans for the massive reconstruction of the facility on the downtown DC’s skyline. Monumental Sports & Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis joined DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Councilmember Brooke Pinto at Gallery Place Atrium for a ceremonial groundbreaking. This milestone comes after the DC Council buying the arena from the Washington teams’ owner for $87. 5 million.
Investment Details and Timeline
The transformation will be expensive, it will cost more than three hundred million dollars, this includes $515 million in public funds from 2025-2027 and $372. 5 million from Monumental. DC will enter into a lease agreement with Monumental for the arena in the next 25 years with an option of extending the contract.
Design Inspiration and Vision
The new design of the building is meant to be reminiscent of the Pierre L’Enfant’s 1791 DC street grid and incorporates features that are found in the National Portrait Gallery. In an interview, Leonsis stated that the Capital One arena will be reconstructed to be an “archetype of the modern arena with state-of-the-art technology” thus creating a landmark that is be be in the present time and in the past.
Construction Phases and Improvements
The renovation will unfold across six phases through 2027:
Initial structural work includes escalator pit installations
Summer improvements focus on athlete facilities and luxury areas
2025-26 season brings a new F Street entrance and improved amenities
Summer 2026 introduces the new facade
2026-27 season features corridor enhancements and seating updates
Premium Experiences
The United Globe Club and Lounge, partnering with United Airlines, will accommodate 800 and 150 guests respectively per event.
Capital One Arena Renovations: Community Impact
Mayor Bowser highlights this project as “a catalytic investment” benefiting downtown DC, the teams, and the entire region. The redesign includes a new “People’s Plaza” along Seventh Street NW, creating vibrant public space between the arena and Portrait Gallery.
Project Leadership
Sports consultant CAA ICON leads project management, with Gensler as architect and Clark Construction as general contractor. The team promises minimal disruptions during construction, with most initial work happening behind the scenes.
Read also: Cleveland Browns Unveil Brook Park Stadium Proposal, Share Renderings with Season Ticket Holders
Capital One Arena Renovation Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Project: Capital One Arena Renovation
Location: Washington, DC
Total Investment: $800+ million
Public Funding: $515 million
Private Funding: $372.5 million (Monumental Sports)
Key Stakeholders
Owner: DC
Operator: Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Project Manager: CAA ICON
Architect: Gensler
General Contractor: Clark Construction
Timeline
Start Date: December 19, 2024
Completion Date: Summer 2027
Lease Term: Through 2050 (with extension options)
Capital One Arena Renovations Major Features
New exterior facade
Enhanced F Street entrance
United Globe Club (800-person capacity)
United Lounge (150-person capacity)
Upgraded athlete facilities
Modernized concessions
New People’s Plaza
Construction Approach
Six-phase implementation
Continuous operation during renovation
Minimal event disruption
Focus on behind-the-scenes work initially
Read also: The FC Dallas Toyota Stadium: History and upcoming renovation
