Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month.
Mini Sphere in Maryland
Despite the old saying, what happens in Vegas might not always stay in Vegas after all. The East Coast could be getting its own version of Sin City’s now-iconic Sphere, an immersive entertainment venue that has hosted rock legends like U2 and Dead & Company and whose state-of-the-art exterior displays everything from cute images to massive advertisements. Sphere Entertainment Co., the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Cos. have announced their intent to develop a new, smaller-scale Sphere venue at National Harbor, an entertainment and tourism destination in the Washington, D.C., metro area. As with any major project, though, the plan is subject to myriad approvals.
Organizations: Sphere Entertainment Co., Peterson Cos., et al.
Location: National Harbor, Md.
Type of project: New build
Size: 6,000 seats
Estimated cost: N/A
Status: Announced Jan. 18
Expected completion: N/A
Interesting tidbit: Sphere in Las Vegas was recently ranked No. 1 on both Billboard’s and Pollstar’s 2025 lists of top-grossing venues worldwide. As part of Sphere Entertainment’s vision for a global network of various-sized venues—including another Sphere planned in Abu Dhabi—the proposed National Harbor venue would feature similar visual and sound technologies but have 6,000 seats as compared to Las Vegas’ 18,000-seat capacity.
Quote: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said, “Maryland has a long history of providing world-class entertainment, and we could not be more excited to work with Sphere Entertainment to bring this cutting-edge project to life.”
More details are available here.
Ballpark at Historic Site
After scoring final approvals, Georgia State University has started constructing a baseball stadium to serve as the new home of its Panthers team in downtown Atlanta. The $15.4 million project will include 1,000 seats and be built on the historic site of the former Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the longtime home of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Chiefs, the Peach Bowl, and many other landmark events, including Olympic baseball in 1996.
Organization: Georgia State University
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Type of project: New build
Size: 1,000 seats
Estimated cost: $15.4 million
Status: Ground broken in December 2025
Expected completion: Fall 2026
Interesting tidbit: The location marks one of the most significant moments in sports history: Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715th home run on April 8, 1974. To honor the baseball legend, Georgia State is relocating an Aaron statue from Center Parc Credit Union Stadium to the new ballpark’s main entrance, as well as including a commemorative marker in left field denoting the location of Aaron’s famous home run.
Quote: “This stadium represents more than just a place to play baseball,” said Georgia State President Dr. M. Brian Blake. “It connects Georgia State to Atlanta’s sports legacy and creates a vibrant future for our program and community.”
More details are available here.
Green LEGO Distribution Center
The LEGO Group has broken ground on its new 2-million-square-foot regional distribution center (RDC) in Prince George County near Richmond, Va. With a price tag of over $360 million, the RDC will complement LEGO’s billion-dollar U.S. factory currently under construction in nearby Chesterfield County. Both facilities will be highly sustainable, are set to open in 2027, and will enable the Denmark-based manufacturer to respond faster to shifts in demand, reduce lead times, shorten the supply chain, and reduce its environmental impact.
Organization: LEGO Group
Location: Disputanta, Va.
Type of project: New build
Size: 2 million square feet
Estimated cost: Over $360 million
Status: Ground broken November 2025
Expected completion: 2027
Interesting tidbit: The RDC will be equipped with advanced automation and is being built with a range of energy-efficient features. The LEGO Group aims to use 100% renewable energy to power the site and to meet LEED Gold standards through energy efficiency, materials, water conservation, and more. It will use electric vehicles to transport goods between the facility and the new LEGO factory, which will be located about 20 miles away. The company also aims to earn a WELL healthy building certification.
Quote: Cindy Sikora, LEGO’s VP of supply chain operations for the Americas, said, “Our regional distribution center will strengthen our supply chain network across the Americas, helping us bring LEGO play to more fans and retail partners efficiently and reliably.”
More details are available here.
New Chapter for Library
New York City’s Queens Public Library (QPL), one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, has launched a major renovation and accessibility upgrade of its Astoria Library. Managed by the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the $14.4 million project will modernize the building’s interior and add a new elevator, bringing the 121-year-old facility into full Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
Organizations: QPL and DDC
Location: Astroria, N.Y.
Type of project: Renovation
Size: 9,500 square feet
Estimated cost: $14.4 million
Status: Ground broken December 2025
Expected completion: Spring 2029
Interesting tidbit: Astoria Library, completed in 1904, is one of 1,681 libraries nationwide funded by Andrew Carnegie in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As part of the project, the existing 8,400-square-foot facility will undergo a complete renovation, and a new 1,100-square-foot addition will be constructed to house the elevator and stairway connecting all levels. Other improvements include upgraded restrooms, a new entry ramp, a 24/7 automated book return, Wi-Fi availability, large windows for natural lighting, and building system overhauls. The revamped library is expected to meet the LEED Silver rating for sustainability.
Quote: QPL President & CEO Dennis M. Walcott noted, “This historic library has been a cornerstone of the Astoria community for more than a century, offering generations of individuals from all backgrounds access to knowledge, opportunity, and growth.”
More details are available here.
Honorable Mentions
- Amazon Superstore
- Smart Buildings for Charlotte Hornets
- $100 Billion Semiconductor Plant
- Restored Science Center with AI Focus
- Chilled Water Line for Campus Sustainability
Do you have a major project announcement you’d like considered for the “Under Construction” series? Please contact Editor Joe Bebon at JBebon@BLR.com.