Precourt Sports Ventures, the investor-operator of Major League Soccer expansion franchise Austin FC, has selected Austin Commercial as the construction manager for the team’s 20,500-seat soccer park and stadium.
Gensler has also been named as the lead architect, with CAA Icon to serve as the project manager and representative for PSV. The stadium is slated to break ground in mid-September at McKalla Place.
Austin was announced as the 27th MLS franchise in January and the team is set to commence play in 2021. MLS will become the first major sports league to have a team in Austin.
The team’s natural grass, open-air stadium has been pitched as an entertainment and multi-purpose cultural and civic event venue that will offer “first-class” performance and entertainment areas and related facilities.
Austin Commercial was the general contractor of American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team and the Dallas Stars NHL franchise. The company is also known for projects such as Austin-Bergstrom Airport, Baylor McLane Stadium, Long Center for the Performing Arts and Austin City Limits. Austin Commercial will provide overall construction management and contracting services for the new stadium.
Gensler, which has led the McKalla Place project from the site-planning stage, will oversee the project through construction, while CAA Icon will provide project management services throughout the development, design and construction of the venue. CAA Icon has served in a similar capacity for the majority of MLS stadia in North America.
Anthony Precourt, chairman and chief executive of PSV and Austin FC, said: “This exceptionally talented team will construct a stadium that our club and city will be proud of, and it will open in time for the 2021 Major League Soccer season. I am excited that this will create local jobs and facilities, for all of Austin to enjoy together.”
PSV will privately fund the $240m (£181.3m/€212.6m) cost of the stadium and also has plans to build a training facility, build and refurbish local pitches and increase access to football programmes.
Image: Austin FC
