Manica Architecture and TVS are set to be awarded a contract to oversee the design and development of a new arena that will serve as the home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
Tomorrow (Tuesday), Oklahoma City Council will consider approving a contract with Manica Architecture as the design architect, and TVS as the architect of record. The contract will be worth more than $61m (£46.8m/€56.2m), according to local newspaper The Oklahoman.
Manica has previously designed Chase Center, home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, and Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. The company is also designing proposed new stadiums for the NFL’s Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans.
TVS’s projects have included the Jio World Center in Mumbai, the Longgang International Arts Center in Shenzhen, Duke Energy Plaza in Charlotte, and Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C.
The City of Oklahoma is planning on building a new arena for the Thunder on a site where Prairie Surf Media, formerly known as the Cox Convention Center, is located. The existing building is expected to be demolished in 2025.
Following the approval of the contract tomorrow, design work on the arena is set to begin immediately. Construction is slated to begin in 2026 and it is hoped the arena will be completed by 2028.
Oklahoma City Council director David Todd said: “Both TVS and Manica Architecture have designed iconic arena and stadium projects worldwide. They have a proven track record of creating functional, memorable buildings that communities are proud of.”
Last month, CAA Icon was appointed to provide professional consulting services for the design and construction of the Thunder’s new arena. CAA Icon’s contract is reportedly worth up to $18m.
In May, the council approved a development agreement for a new $900m arena. The agreement between the city and PBC Sports and Entertainment (PBCS&E), owners of the Thunder, came after voters approved funding for the arena last December.
The city will own the arena and oversee maintenance and operation of the facility. The Thunder will continue playing at Paycom Center (pictured) until the new arena is ready.
The Thunder has played in Oklahoma City since relocating from Seattle in 2008 and the team’s current lease agreement at Paycom Center runs until 2026.
Paycom Center is the smallest arena in the NBA by square footage and has the second-smallest capital investment of all NBA venues. The new arena will be at least 750,000 square feet.
