The Charlotte Hornets have tapped Providence, Rhode Island-based Gilbane Building Co. as part of a joint venture for the NBA team’s new state-of-the-art practice facility, according to an Oct. 14 news release. The team will build the structure at a site adjacent to Spectrum Center, where the NBA franchise plays its home games.
Gilbane was selected alongside Denver-based strategic management consulting firm CAA Icon, Kansas City, Missouri-based design firm Populous and hometown builder R.J. Leeper, according to the release. The city of Charlotte provided $30 million for the project, and the team’s ownership group is looking to spend anywhere from $70 to $100 million, Axios reported in September.
The facility will include over 100,000 square feet of training, practice and recovery space as well as 35,000 square feet of administrative offices for the team’s business operations, per the release. It will also feature up to 2,500 square feet of ground-level retail space and a public plaza.
“This endeavor is an incredible opportunity to elevate player performance by leveraging our extensive local building experience and national sports expertise for the benefit of Buzz City,” said Evan Synstad, Gilbane’s North Carolina business leader, in the release. “Our joint venture team is committed to promoting local and diverse business opportunities, using this transformative project to make a significant impact in Uptown Charlotte and the broader community.”
The performance center is part of a broader, $275 million plan to revitalize the area, which includes renovations on Spectrum Center, according to Axios. In January, the franchise selected New York City-based Turner Construction to lead renovations on the arena, with a price tag of $215 million.
The project team will break ground on the practice facility in 2025, according to the release, and the Hornets expect the facility to be open for the 2026-27 season.
