After Pandemic Pause, Wells Fargo Center Resumes $300M Transformation Project

After pausing construction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Comcast Spectacor announced today that it has resumed the Wells Fargo Center’s $300 million, multi-year Transformation project.

The project supports hundreds of jobs in South Philadelphia and throughout the region and will ensure that Wells Fargo Center remains a world-class, top-of-the-line venue for hockey, basketball, concerts, and more for decades into the future. The Transformation project, which began in 2016, is approximately two-thirds complete, with nearly $100 million of work still ahead.

“The Wells Fargo Center is a pillar of our city, both culturally and economically, and this Transformation project will ensure that it remains Philadelphia’s home for hockey, basketball, lacrosse, concerts, and events for decades to come,” said Valerie Camillo, President of Business Operations for the Wells Fargo Center. “Since we started this project, we’ve viewed it as an investment in the city, the neighborhood, and the Stadium District, which is why we’re funding it ourselves without any public, taxpayer dollars.  As the city emerges from the pandemic, whether we’re hosting 20,000 fans for Flyers and 76ers games or putting hundreds of people back to work, the Wells Fargo Center is going to be a major part of Philadelphia’s comeback story.”

“The restart of this major transformation project is yet another example that Philadelphia is rebounding from the pandemic in a big way,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. “This multi-million dollar project will not only bring new life to this incredible facility, but also have a positive economic impact on our local labor market. I look forward to its completion and to cheering on our sports teams from this state-of-the-art venue.”

The next phase of the building enhancements, which started this month, will overhaul the Club Level, beginning with the installation of upgraded, brand-new guest seating, to be completed by Fall 2021. Because the pandemic dramatically shortened the NHL and NBA off-seasons, more enhancements, including upgrades to the building’s exterior façade, exciting new food and beverage options, remodeled and modernized entrances, and more will begin next summer.

The Wells Fargo Center Transformation project has already been a significant economic driver for South Philadelphia and the entire region, supporting local businesses and hundreds of jobs.  The project also serves as a critical, long-term investment in the one-of-a-kind South Philadelphia Stadium District, home to the city’s three major sports and entertainment venues.  The Stadium District is the product of decades of continued investment, and boasts significant supporting infrastructure, including highway and mass transit access, strong neighborhood engagement, and future development opportunities that are impossible to replicate.

Over the last year, Wells Fargo Center has also undergone a comprehensive health and safety transformation. Earlier this year, the venue was awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management, a widely-respected, evidence-based, third-party-verified rating of the venue’s health and safety protocols. The arena also recently completed an $11 million replacement of its HVAC systems, installing a new, state-of-the-art air filtration system that replaces all the air in the arena’s seating bowl every 30 minutes.

The start of the Transformation project dates back to 2016 when Wells Fargo Center was selected to host the Democratic National Convention and the arena began remodeling its entire Suite Level. Since then, the Transformation has re-conceptualized nearly every level of the building and has brought innovation and specialization to every guests’ experience. Other major phases and upgrades so far include:

• First-of-its-Kind Scoreboard: The world’s first Kinetic 4K center-hung scoreboard was installed in the fall of 2019 and features 65% more 4K LED screen real estate when compared to the arena’s former center-hung model, and is larger than any arena scoreboard that hosts both NHL and NBA games. The agile Kinetic 4K system also features two massive crown trusses with independent movement and an unprecedented ability to expand and contract its main screens in order to best highlight the action below. 
• Reimagined Concourse: In addition to 8,000 brand-new seats within the lower bowl and a new concierge-style Box Office, the Main Concourse was redesigned with a re-conceptualized approach to dining and social interaction. An LED video and lighting system were also installed which reacts in real time to carry the energy of the game to every corner of the Wells Fargo Center, including the concourse. 
• New City Terrace: The upper level of the arena became one of the most coveted tickets in the building with an unprecedented mix of amenities and options that redefine traditional in-arena rituals for fans old and new. This level now includes: the Assembly Room, BetRivers.com Sports Lounge, Revolutionary Row, Liberty Lofts and the Disassembly (Rage) Room.
• An Exclusive Event Level Club: The Center City Club, located on the southeast quadrant of the Event Level, offers an unmatched entertainment atmosphere to the Wells Fargo Center. Just steps away from the action on the ice, court or stage, this exclusive club combines the city’s vibrant culture with a flair of luxury and curated modern ambiance. The space doubled from its previous size and offers a culinary experience found nowhere else in the arena.
• Major makeover for the Mezzanine Level: In the fall of 2018, Wells Fargo Center completed a total makeover of the Mezzanine Level, which accommodates approximately 40 percent of the arena’s total capacity. Not a single aspect of the Mezzanine Level’s original layout was left untouched, as new and expanded food and beverage options, concourse layouts with skyline views, over 150 new LED game-action screens, and upgraded points of sale were introduced.

This initial phase of the Club Level revitalization, which is expected to be complete by fall 2021, is the first step toward a completely reimaged Club Level experience. After the seating revamp debuts next season, the project will turn to the floor plan upgrades and amenity advancements in summer 2022.

For more information about the Wells Fargo Center Transformation, visit www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com/transformation.