A new exterior, grand lobby, team store and beer hall gathering space are among the potential projects for the final phases of Lenovo Center’s $300-million renovation project.
The Centennial Authority board on Thursday received a presentation on potential projects for the rest of the renovation, which is being financed with debt backed by public money from prepared food and beverage taxes and hotel occupancy taxes in Wake County and the City of Raleigh.
Lenovo Center is home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, NC State’s men’s basketball team and hundreds of other events annually, including music and comedy concerts and family events, such as Disney on Ice and monster truck rallies.
The first phase of the renovation at the Raleigh hockey, basketball and concert venue is nearly complete with the opening of a view bar and concourse changes on the third floor as well as bunker suites and a multipurpose room on the arena level. The view bar, which replaced some seats, has been a popular gathering place since it opened in mid-February.
This summer, the seats in the 100-level will be changed and some aisles removed to create more capacity, which was announced in January. Lenovo Center will close for eight weeks in July and August.
The arena opened in 1999. It is located next to Carter-Finley Stadium, NC State’s football stadium.
The Hurricanes and NC State outlined many expected changes for the final phases of the renovation: a new-look to the building’s exterior and grand lobby areas that will be the primary entrances on the east and west sides of the arena; a beer hall and restaurant on the arena’s south side that will be open everyday; an expanded team store on the southwest side of the building; a redone arena club; and renovated bathrooms and concourses on the first and second levels.
“From improved operations to enhancements for our general fans and premium spaces, every aspect of this building has been thoughtfully designed to elevate the experience for Wolfpack fans,” NC State athletics director Boo Corrigan said in a statement.
The Centennial Authority board must sign off on the projects — and stay on budget at a time of increasing construction costs. The Centennial Authority owns the building.
“These enhancements will help us continue to bring top entertainment and events to Raleigh,” said Philip Isley, chairman of the Centennial Authority, in a statement.
In addition to the $300-million renovation project, the Hurricanes have plans to privately develop up to 80 acres around the arena. That land is largely surface-level parking lots currently, and the Hurricanes have unveiled plans to build parking decks, a tailgate zone, a music venue as well as office and retail space in phase one of the development.
The work won’t impact NC State football parking for the 2026 season, the university announced in December.