Renovations include the addition of two new lounges in opposite corners of the mezzanine levelComcast Spectacor
The Wells Fargo Center this summer will "undergo the latest phase of an ongoing major renovation" by starting a $50M makeover of the building’s mezzanine level, accord to John Lombardo of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The work is part of a roughly $250M multiphase renovation project that "eventually will touch every level of the arena when completed by the target date" of '21. Comcast Spectacor will now "replace all 8,000 seats on the mezzanine level," representing about 40% of the seats in the 20,238-seat arena. The project will "add two new lounges in the southwest and northeast corners of the mezzanine level with views into the lower bowl." A new sound system will be "installed and glass exterior walls will provide views of the Philadelphia skyline." The mezzanine project will "begin in May and is expected to be completed by October" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/5 issue). In Philadelphia, Bob Fernandez notes the bulk of the upgrade will "come over the next three summers, with about 21,500 seats being replaced so as to not disrupt" Flyers and 76ers games. Concerts will "continue through the construction." Gone will be "some of the balcony luxury boxes, which are less popular than they were" in the '90s. Comcast Spectacor Exec VP & General Counsel Phil Weinberg said, “Folks want a more social experience when they go to the game. They want to get up and go back and text and show photos. They want it more open.” Weinberg also said that Comcast Spectacor is "doing a market study to determine how much premium seating will be part of the upgrade and where it will go." There are now 126 luxury suites, but that number is "expected to shrink." One Comcast Spectacor exec "estimated a tear-down and build-new plan could have cost" $750M (PHILLY.com, 3/5).
