Gensler Named Lead Architect For Baskeball Arena In France

Gensler has been retained as the lead architect for a new 13,000-seat arena proposed for Villeurbanne, France, according to project officials. The development covers the Tony Parker Academy next to the arena, a facility to train young French basketball players. The Spurs G grew up in France and is the second-largest shareholder of Gones & Sports, whose firm SPSM is representing the city to build the arena. He is also an investor in the arena itself. Parker also owns a piece of Asvel, France’s most successful basketball team and the arena’s primary tenant.

G2 Strategic principal and former Trail Blazers President Marshall Glickman is the project manager. The arena and academy are both targeted to open in April '15. Global Spectrum Europe is in talks to operate the $185M arena.