The Cincinnati Open, one of the longest-running tennis tournaments in the U.S., is undergoing a campus-wide renovation of the sports complex. The Cincinnati Open Campus Transformation aims to improve both fan and player experiences ahead of the event’s expanded 2025 tournament.
The work represents the next stage of tournament owner Beemok Capital’s $260 million investment in upgrades to help keep Cincinnati Open in its hometown for the next 25 years. This year marks the Cincinnati Open’s 125th anniversary.
The reimagined campus will feature modern stadium façades and extensive landscaping to create a park-like atmosphere. At the heart of the campus, both Center Court and Grandstand Court will get a sleek, continuous façade. A canopy-shaded fan plaza will provide more greenspace.
“When complete, the grounds will feature an increase in green space and trees. This will be paired with an updated campus aesthetic showcasing clean lines, simple, elegant forms and a fresh, neutral color palette that will beautifully complement the park-like setting,” Kristin Byrd, design director and architect, Gensler, said in a statement.
Byrd added that the design team aimed to create “an authentic sense of place by incorporating regional building materials, engaging with local artisans, and honoring the tournament’s history through layering of art and historical iconography—all with a modern twist.”
To increase capacity for the expanded tournament, the project will add fan amenities, courts, and player facilities. The campus will get a new 2,000-seat sunken stadium, which will be the fourth largest of the venue’s five permanent stadiums. The stadium is one of 10 new courts, bringing the campus court total to 31.
Another addition is a 56,000-sf, two-story player center. The facility will include lounge and restaurant space for the tournament’s players and their support teams, wellness and recovery rooms for the players, and locker rooms for coaches.
Existing player facilities in the Paul Flory Player Center will be renovated to provide more locker room space and an expanded fitness center. Other planned additions include a six-court indoor facility, six pickleball courts, and two padel courts.
The 2025 Cincinnati Open Campus Transformation projects are in addition to previously announced work currently underway to upgrade the seating experience in Center Court and Grandstand Court, add four practice courts, renovate the Crosscourt Suites and Top Deck lounge areas, and create a new hospitality suite overlooking Grandstand Court.
On the Building Team:
Owner: Beemok Capital
Design architect: Gensler
MEP engineer: Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
Structural engineer: Walter P Moore
General contractor: Barton Malow
Related Stories
| Jan 2, 2015
Construction put in place enjoyed healthy gains in 2014
Construction consultant FMI foresees—with some caveats—continuing growth in the office, lodging, and manufacturing sectors. But funding uncertainties raise red flags in education and healthcare.
| Dec 30, 2014
A simplified arena concept for NBA’s Warriors creates interest
The Golden State Warriors, currently the team with the best record in the National Basketball Association, looks like it could finally get a new arena.
| Dec 28, 2014
AIA course: Enhancing interior comfort while improving overall building efficacy
Providing more comfortable conditions to building occupants has become a top priority in today’s interior designs. This course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Dec 18, 2014
Top 10 sports facilities of 2014: Designboom ranks the year's best projects
The list includes some of the year's epic stadiums, such as World Cup Stadium Arena de Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, and smaller projects, like the Spordtgebouw Sports Centerin the Netherlands.
| Nov 19, 2014
Must see: Arup, Damian Rogers propose urban surf park in Melbourne
The surfing pool would offer 98-foot-wide waves that would run the length of the 500-foot-long enclave.
| Nov 18, 2014
New tool helps developers, contractors identify geographic risk for construction
The new interactive tool from Aon Risk Solutions provides real-time updates pertaining to the risk climate of municipalities across the U.S.
| Nov 18, 2014
Fan of the High Line? Check out NYC's next public park plan (hint: it floats)
Backed by billionaire Barry Diller, the $170 million "floating park" is planned for the Hudson River, and will contain wooded areas and three performance venues.
| Nov 6, 2014
Studio Gang Architects will convert power plant into college recreation center
The century-old power plant will be converted into a recreation facility with a coffee shop, lounges, club rooms, a conference center, lecture hall, and theater, according to designboom.
Sponsored | | Nov 5, 2014
Welcome to sports central
The Fieldhouse Sportscenter in Springfield, Mo., serves as a community center for basketball and volleyball leagues and tournaments.