The Tennessee Titans have named TVS as Architect of Record (AOR) for the NFL American football franchise’s new $2.1bn (£1.69bn/€1.94bn) stadium project.
As AOR, TVS will work in tandem with the Design Architect, MANICA, to lead the design team through the completion of the stadium design and subsequent administration of construction activity.
Atlanta-headquartered TVS will be responsible for delivering the construction documents that will be used to construct the stadium and will hold all contracts with certified subconsultants necessary to complete full stadium design.
During the construction administration phase, TVS will provide critical oversight to ensure all materials and construction are being utilised correctly and per specification and design. “We were immediately impressed by TVS’ portfolio and are excited to welcome them to the project team,” Gil Beverly, Tennessee Titans senior vice-president and chief marketing and strategy officer, said in a statement.
“They bring a significant breadth of experience in large-scale venues and share our dedication to delivering a game-changing, high-character facility to Nashville.”
As outlined in the new stadium development agreement, the Titans are responsible for leading the procurement process for the selection of the firms that will oversee the design and construction of the stadium. The Metropolitan Sports Authority approved the selection of TVS at a board meeting yesterday (Thursday).
The AOR tender received an initial four submissions, according to the Nashville Business Journal, with the Titans narrowing these down to two finalists – TVS and a partnership between Nashville-based Hastings Architecture and Moody Nolan.
Architecture and interior design firm TVS has experience working on major projects in the Nashville area, having served as AOR for the Music City Center, while the company also has NFL venue experience through work on Mercedes-Benz Stadium in its home city.
“As a proud Tennessee native, I am beyond excited to be a part of the team that will bring this transformational new stadium to the residents of Tennessee,” said TVS principal, Rob O’Keefe. “This project will usher in a new era for Titans fans and residents of the broader region as a premier destination for sports, entertainment, and impactful community events year-round.”
Metro Nashville Council last month issued the final approval for the 60,000-capacity enclosed stadium set on the city’s East Bank. The plan was passed by a vote of 26-12, coming three weeks after the Metro Nashville Sports Authority, the owner and landlord of both the Titans’ current Nissan Stadium and new venue, unanimously approved the agreement.
The new stadium agreement, initially agreed last October, includes a new 30-year lease and non-relocation agreement between the team and the Sports Authority. Groundbreaking on the new stadium is expected to begin in early-to-mid 2024, following the 2023-24 NFL season. The facility is anticipated to open in 2027.
Providing an update on the project yesterday, Titans president and CEO, Burke Nihill, said the final look of the stadium is set to be similar to the renderings already released by MANICA. “It is going to be a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, Nashville character building,” Nihill said, according to the team’s official website.
“We want every experience in the building to be a world-class experience, whether it is a premium experience or whether it’s a getting-in-the-door experience, and that means something different today, and looking ahead for the next few decades, than it did back in the 1990s when the original Nissan Stadium was built.
“There’s different fan expectations, different opportunities to deliver things that are unique to Nashville. So, we are knee-deep into it … and we are excited to continue to dig in and ultimately deliver something that is incredible for Nashville.”
