New details have emerged about the Sphere entertainment venue that’s in the works for National Harbor.
Based on a preliminary concept site plan, the Sphere will have 6,000 seats and stand about 302 feet from ground level, Washington Business Journal reported. It will be situated on about 14 acres north of MGM National Harbor.
For comparison, MGM’s National Harbor hotel is 265 feet tall, and the Washington Monument stands at 555 feet.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that it will need to evaluate the plans to determine if the Sphere could “pose a hazard to aircraft or interfere with navigation aids” from nearby Reagan National Airport, WBJ reported.
The planned National Harbor venue will be smaller than the original Las Vegas Sphere. That structure stands at 366 feet and has a capacity of 18,600.
Much like the original Sphere, the National Harbor site will feature an exterior LED display and a 16K x 16K interior display plane for live events. It will also have immersive sound, haptic seating, and 4D environmental effects.
The project was first announced in January by Prince George’s County, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Sphere Entertainment Co., and Peterson Cos. Organizers expect this venue to generate $1.6 billion in economic benefits from construction, then $1.3 billion annually once operational.
The billion-dollar project will receive funding from a combination of public and private investments. This includes about $200 million in state, local, and private incentives.
Organizers plan to break ground in 2027 with an anticipated opening date in 2030.
Feature rendering of The Sphere courtesy Peterson Cos.
