CFG Bank Arena

CFG Bank Arena is a renovated, 15,000-seat entertainment venue, which includes a new façade, expanded seating, upgraded concourses with new concessions, new suites and premium spaces, and improved acoustics. 

Modernizing the Venue to Welcome Top Talent

The significant lift of the project was removing the permanent stage on the arena floor. Most modern touring acts bring their own staging and can load, unload, and reload in less than 24 hours to allow for quick movement between tour stops. The permanent stage was a deterrent to modern touring groups – coming to Baltimore slowed them down. The new setup allows more touring acts to enter the space quicker and more efficiently.

The Charm City District

The 60-year-old arena will now anchor Baltimore’s west side and be a catalyst for the city’s economic growth. With pressure to construct a new arena in an already developed neighborhood, the 12-month process of renovating the existing arena saved decades of planning.

With a live entertainment space in the heart of the city, industries beyond entertainment will benefit from the renovated venue. The upgrades were funded at no cost to the taxpayers of Baltimore “Charm” City, and the tourism, hospitality, and restaurant industries will find this under-filled market reached – a win for taxpayers and businesses.

Homegrown Talent

Throughout the project, fostering meaningful connections and opportunities with local businesses was a priority. In planning and design conversations, small, local, and diverse business participation was a top priority. With more than 40 Baltimore companies participating, the project’s delivery served as a boom to the local economy. The project created more than 500 construction jobs and awarded 27% of construction subcontracts to minority businesses and 10% to women’s business enterprises.

Because of the efforts of minority business enterprise companies, Clark was able to successfully ready the facility for the CIAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. The CFG Bank Arena is a cornerstone of the city’s downtown and was built for the Baltimore community by Baltimore companies.

A Buzzer-Beater Finish

The privately funded renovation project faced a tight timeline and firm completion date, as the venue was slated to host Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball tournaments in February 2022 and February 2023. All deadlines in the 12-month timeline were met to increase seating capacity from roughly 10,000 to more than 13,000 and accommodate modern touring demands for both the artists and audience.