Support Us Button Widget
Events

Spectrum Center closes for “Reimagine” renovations

The Uptown arena will close for two NBA off-seasons to create elevated visitor experiences.

May 20, 2024 • 
Jack VanderToll
The Spectrum Center is photographed against the Uptown Charlotte skyline on a sunny day.

The Spectrum Center has hosted 20 million visitors in Uptown since opening in October 2005.

Photo by CLTtoday

Uptown Charlotte was buzzing with excitement Monday morning. City leaders marked the tip-off for “Re!magine Spectrum Center” — a high-scale renovation project for the entertainment arena and home of the Charlotte Hornets.

The project — costing roughly $215 million — aims to elevate the overall fan experience from the quality of seats to the efficiency of the concession stands.

“The newly re-imagined Spectrum Center is going to blow you all away!” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. “State-of-the-art amenities, incredible new fan experiences, better connectivity to our already vibrant Uptown area — it’s really going to be something special.”

An artist's rendering of the Spectrum Center arena during a Charlotte Hornets' basketball game.

2,500 additional seats will bring more fans to be closer to game-time action. All seats throughout the bowl will be replaced.

Rendering via Charlotte Hornets.

Fans can expect to see:

  • 2,500 additional lower-level seats
  • A fully-renovated concourse
  • Enhanced premium spaces — including clubs and suites
  • Improved technology to increase speed in food + drink service
  • Back-of-house upgrades
Charlotte_Reimagine Spectrum Center

Members of the HSE Ownership Group, the City of Charlotte, and the CRVA took sledgehammers and broke down a Re!magine wall to commemorate the day.

Photo by CLTtoday

“It’s a big building, but we’re hoping the renovation can create some excitement and buzz and get a lot of fans into the building and create that kind of hometown atmosphere,” said Joe Dyer, Associate Principle with Perkins and Will — the architecture firm leading the project.

Re!magine Spectrum Center is a collaborative effort between Hornets Sports & Entertainment, the City of Charlotte, and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

An art rendering of a super suite at the Charlotte Hornets game.

The reimagined Suite Level will offer five different suite options — to accommodate anywhere from eight to 75 guests.

Rendering via Charlotte Hornets

“I love the collaboration with all of our partners working together to make sure we get this right for our guests and our fans,” said Donna Julian, Hornets Sports & Entertainment Executive Vice President & Spectrum Center General Manager. “They’re going to feel the difference and they’re going to have an elevated experience, so that makes me really happy.”

Editor’s note: We asked Julian on any plans to include a recent Honeywell CMS project into the renovations. “They had some great ideas which helped that guest experience, so they might see a little something as we open these doors.”

The Spectrum Center will be closed for renovations through September. The building will reopen for the 2024-25 NBA season, then close again in May 2025 for additional upgrades.