11/9/23 | Las Vegas Sphere *SEARCH*
A 2nd search by MSG Entertainment who owns and operates the new Vegas Sphere
Sphere
is a music and entertainment arena in Paradise, Nevada, United States, east of the Las Vegas Strip. Designed by Populous, the spherical project was announced by the Madison Square Garden Company in 2018, known then as the MSG Sphere. The 18,600-seat auditorium[2][3] is being marketed for its immersive video and audio capabilities, which include a 16K resolution wraparound interior LED screen, speakers with beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies, and 4D physical effects. The venue's exterior also features 580,000 sq ft (54,000 m2) of LED displays. Sphere measures 366 feet (112 m) high and 516 feet (157 m) wide.
Construction was underway in 2019, with the opening initially scheduled for 2021.[2][3] Construction was suspended for several months in 2020, due to supply disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sphere opened on September 29, 2023, with Irish rock band U2 beginning a 36-show residency called U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere.[4][5] Director Darren Aronofsky's docu-film Postcard from Earth opened on October 6, 2023.
Address:
255 Sands Ave
Location:
Paradise, Nevada, United States
Public transit:
Las Vegas Monorail (planned)
Owner:
Sphere Entertainment Co.
Vici Properties
Operator:
Sphere Entertainment Co.
Executive suites:
23
Capacity:
18,600
Acreage:
18
Broke ground:
September 27, 2018
Built:
2019–2023
Opened:
September 29, 2023
Construction cost:
$2.3 billion
Architect:
Structural engineer:
General contractor:
Madison Square Garden
Website:
Background
The project, known then as the MSG Sphere, was announced in February 2018.[6][7] The project was initially a partnership between the Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) and Las Vegas Sands Corporation.[8] Sphere is just off the Las Vegas Strip and east of the Venetian resort, which was opened by Las Vegas Sands in 1999.[7] Las Vegas Sands contributed the 18-acre (7.3 ha) site for the project.[9] Apollo Global Management purchased the Venetian in 2022 and became MSG's new partner on the Sphere project, replacing Las Vegas Sands.[10] As part of the sale, the land beneath the Venetian Resort and Sphere was purchased by Vici Properties.[11]
The sphere-shaped project was designed by Populous,[12] with an interior that includes the world's largest LED screen.[9] MSG initially estimated the project cost at $1.2 billion.[9] In February 2020, the company said the cost had increased to $1.66 billion as a result of design changes consisting of guest enhancements.[13] The cost continued to increase,[14][15][16] eventually surpassing $2 billion due to the 2021–2023 global supply chain crisis and the 2021–2022 inflation surge.[17][18] With a final expected cost of $2.3 billion,[19] it is the most expensive entertainment venue in Las Vegas history, beating out the $1.9 billion Allegiant Stadium.[11]
Construction
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 27, 2018, and was attended by approximately 300 people, including Las Vegas Sands' Sheldon Adelson and Nevada governor Brian Sandoval.[2] In November 2018, it was reported that the MSG Sphere would be built along with new bars, private suites, a museum and retail space.[20] AECOM began working on the site in February 2019, through a preliminary agreement. AECOM had worked on several other stadiums, including the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.[21] Excavation was underway in March 2019.[22] Approximately 110,000 cubic yards (84,000 m3) of dirt and caliche were excavated to prepare the site for construction.[21] AECOM was named as the general contractor in June 2019.[21][23] The project had 400 construction workers. This number was expected to eventually reach a peak of 1,500.[24] Construction of the basement was underway in July 2019.[25]
Opening
The venue's owner, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, split into two companies in April 2023, with Sphere Entertainment Company taking over ownership.[57][58] The venue itself was renamed Sphere.[56] It opened on September 29, 2023,[59] with U2 as its first performer in a residency titled U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere.[60][61][62] It marked the group's first live show since 2019.[63] MSG plans on hosting four to six residencies each year at Sphere.[64] The company also debuted its first feature film, Postcard from Earth by director Darren Aronofsky, at Sphere on October 6, 2023.[65][66][67] The venue will employ up to 3,000 people.[68]
Features
Sphere is 366 feet (112 m) high and 516 feet (157 m) wide at its broadest point.[24] It is the largest spherical building in the world at 875,000 sq ft (81,300 m2).[26] It includes seating for 18,600 people,[69][64] and all seats have high speed internet access.[70] Haptic technology is incorporated into 10,000 of the venue's seats.[69] Seating does not wrap around the entire sphere, instead covering approximately two-thirds of the interior while the stage takes up the remainder.[71] The venue can accommodate 20,000 people in standing capacity.[37] Sphere has nine levels, including the basement, where a VIP club is located. A total of 23 suites are included, across the third and fifth floors.[52]
Sphere's interior is equipped with a 16K resolution wraparound LED screen, measuring 160,000 sq ft (15,000 m2).[72][69] It is the largest and highest-resolution LED screen in the world.[45] The exterior of the venue features 580,000 sq ft (54,000 m2) of LED display space,[10][73] which can feature holiday themes, with Sphere depicting a Halloween jack-o'-lantern or a Christmas snow globe, for instance.[4] The exterior is also used for advertising.[74] Both the interior and exterior screens were manufactured by SACO Technologies, a Canadian company specializing in LED video displays and lighting.[75]
Sphere features a spatial audio system based on Holoplot's X1 speaker module, which uses beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies and is equipped with 96 drivers each.[76][77][78] The sound system comprises 1,600 X1 speakers that are installed behind the LED panels, along with 300 mobile modules, for a total of 167,000 speaker drivers.[79][80][81] The sound system also can deliver sound through the floorboards.[73] 4D features, including scent and wind, can be used.[4]
The arena will primarily host award shows and concerts, in addition to other entertainment events.[82] Though not designed to fit a traditional arena layout for sports such as basketball and ice hockey, it can host ring sports events such as boxing and mixed martial arts,[83][71] as well as esports tournaments.[52]
The property includes 304 parking spaces, while additional spaces will be available at the parking garages for the nearby Venetian, Palazzo, and Venetian Expo.[83] A 1,000-foot (300 m) pedestrian bridge will connect Sphere to the expo,[9] and there are plans to build a new Las Vegas Monorail station to serve Sphere and the Venetian.[20][84][85] However, these plans were put on hold in April 2020, due to the financial impact of the pandemic.[86]
Sphere Studios
Sphere Studios,[98] originally MSG Sphere Studios, opened in Burbank, California, in May 2022.[99] The facility handles production and post-production work for the Las Vegas sphere and future spheres. MSG Sphere Studios sought to collaborate with filmmakers and musicians to create some of the content for the Las Vegas sphere.[92] Ted King, who previously worked on Star Trek: The Experience, is among those who will create visual content for Sphere in Las Vegas.[100] The studio will also produce content in association with the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix,[101] which will travel past Sphere.[81]
The spherical studio facility, nearly 100 feet (30 m) tall, is a miniature version of the Las Vegas sphere.[99] The facility uses Big Sky, a specialized camera system created specifically to produce material for Sphere.[102]