The rise of e-sports, a form of sport competition using video games, is expected to bring in more than $1 billion in global revenue this year. As e-sports continues to grow around the world, Philadelphia will become a hub in North America with the addition of the Fusion Arena, which be the home for the Philadelphia Fusion, a team that competes in the Overwatch League, a franchise in which players from all over the world battle in a futuristic first-person shooter.
The development will be equipped with a production studio, a training center, and private suites lined with bars and fridges. The 60,000-square-foot development with seating for 3,500 will be built on what’s currently a parking lot adjacent to Xfinity Live!, the dining and entertainment space in the same complex as Wells Fargo Center, Lincoln Financial Field, and Citizens Bank Park, the respective homes of the Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Pennoni provided civil/site, survey, landscape architecture, and geotechnical services for the project. We were responsible for coordinating the site layout and design with the architecture team and obtaining the necessary approvals for the required permits. A topographic and underground utility survey was performed to develop the existing conditions plan for the project. Leasing exhibits and ALTA plans were prepared to assist the legal team with the preparation of the leasing agreements. Borings and infiltration testing were performed on site to determine the existing soil conditions and suitability of infiltration of the site stormwater.
Pennoni has been working with The Cordish Companies for nearly a decade to develop the land north of the Wells Fargo Center as part of the Live! entertainment district. Pennoni was involved with the development of Xfinity Live!, the future Pattison Place Office Tower, and is actively working with The Cordish Companies on potential future developments.
The groundbreaking was held in September 2019 and the venue will open in 2021.
John C. Medendorp IV, PE
Jake Medendorp serves as a Staff Engineer in our Civil/Site Division with more than eight years of experience and has been responsible for the coordination and design of land development projects in the Philadelphia region and outlying suburbs.
For more information on this project, contact Jake at JMedendorp@Pennoni.com.