• by Tanya Gazdik , 2 hours ago

Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.

“The operator of Las Vegas’s Sphere is planning to build a new venue in the Washington metropolitan area, adding a second U.S. location following a successful start for its original orb-like arena,” according to Bloomberg. “The new 6,000-seat venue will be located in National Harbor, Maryland, about 15 minutes from the U.S. capital.”

Sphere Entertainment Co. struck a deal with the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County and Peterson Companies to develop the arena. National Harbor is home to The Capital Wheel, a giant ferris wheel with views of D.C., as well as an MGM Grand casino and other tourist attractions.

“Notably, Sphere says the plan is to create what it is calling its first ‘smaller-scale’ design, with plans for a 6,000 seat venue, compared to the 18,600 seats at the Las Vegas Sphere,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. “The project will be financed with public and private funding, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives.”

The company says it will still have the distinct “Exosphere” that defines the exterior of the original, while the interior theater will have what it says will be “the world’s highest-resolution LED screen.”

The venue will be used for corporate and branding events and sports such as UFC and boxing. The exterior will display commercial advertisements half the time and artwork during the other half. 

“With its 4D experience, the venue is expected to generate $1 billion in economic activity annually by hosting large-scale, immersive concerts with in-residence artists, sporting events, other shows and corporate functions,” according to The Washington Post. “The mini-Sphere would have sight lines to the Washington Monument, making it visible on flight paths to Reagan National Airport — its domed, LED-paneled exterior sparkling with ads and art installations on its ‘Exosphere.’”

There are some elements of the plan which need to be solidified — such as incentives which require a public vote, including $10 million in financing from the state at a time when Maryland faces a $1.4 billion budget deficit.

“The project is supposed to create 2,500 construction jobs and 4,750 long-term jobs once operational, according to the company and officials announcing the project,” according to WaPo.

The National Harbor Sphere is the third planned version of the venue, after the Las Vegas original and another under construction in Abu Dhabi.