Live Performance Venues
We create live performance venues that foster unique connections between artists and audiences. From large, music-focused arenas, to outdoor amphitheaters and intimate performing arts centers, our venues reflect a broad range of live experiences that are real, shared, and unforgettable.
“
We design live performance venues that connect audiences, artists, and place through real, unforgettable experiences. From arrival to performance, every moment is shaped to strengthen that connection.
—John Houser, Live Performance Venues leader
18 Items
University of Texas at Austin, Moody Center
Austin, Texas
Gensler helped the University of Texas consolidate its campus sports venues and create a LEED Gold Certified basketball arena and live music venue.
Music Box
San Diego, California
“A space that is alive; one that is unique and can define us.” This is what the client had in mind when they acquired a foreclosed music venue in downtown...
Toyota Music Factory
Irving, Texas
Toyota Music Factory in Irving brings together a diverse mix of music venues, restaurants, and bars, each with its own distinct musical identity, creating a vibrant destination for fans across genres.
Milwaukee Bucks
Entertainment District
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Milwaukee Bucks Entertainment District, also known as ‘Deer District,’ is an indoor-outdoor sports, retail, and entertainment destination.
Centennial Yards Entertainment District
Atlanta, Georgia
The new Centennial Yards Entertainment District aims to transform a forlorn 7.5-acre site into a vibrant mixed-use destination in Downtown Atlanta.
The AXIS, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada
Formerly known as PH LIVE, the newly renovated AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is the largest theater of its kind in the United States. Gensler’s...
Hyundai Card Music Library + Understage
Seoul, Korea
In an ongoing effort to offer credit card holders new experiences and elevate its brand standing, Hyundai Card developed this unique entertainment complex...
Crypto.com Arena
Los Angeles, California
Crypto.com Arena (formerly STAPLES Center) is the largest indoor sports and entertainment venue in Los Angeles, and the only arena in the United States that’s home to three major professional sports franchises.
The Egyptian Theatre
Hollywood, California
Gensler collaborated with Netflix to redesign the architectural interiors, signage and wayfinding, and narrative storytelling exhibit of The Egyptian Theatre.
Fifth + Broadway
Nashville, Tennessee
Fifth + Broadway reenergizes downtown Nashville with a dynamic, live-work mixed-use district that features retail, restaurants, Class A office space, and more.
Lenovo Center
Raleigh, North Carolina
Gensler is leading a dramatic transformation of the Lenovo Center (formerly PNC Arena), elevating it to a premier destination for sports and entertainment.
M&T Bank Stadium
Baltimore, Maryland
Gensler is partnering with the Baltimore Ravens to design a series of projects that will enhance the gameday and year-round fan experience at M&T Stadium.
Irvine Amphitheater
Irvine, California
Gensler is designing a new, 14,000 capacity amphitheater and extending the legacy of live outdoor music in Irvine, starting with Irvine Meadows.
Chase Center
San Francisco, California
Gensler led the guest experience and interior design for Chase Center, an 8,000-seat arena that is home of the 2022 NBA Champions, Golden State Warriors.
House of Blues Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Located in the Victory Park development — a 90-acre master planned urban town center in the heart of Dallas — the House of Blues draws music aficionados...
The Novo by Microsoft
Los Angeles, California
The Novo by Microsoft, formerly Club Nokia at L.A. Live, is a 2,000-seat music hall with a contemporary, dynamic design created to become “part of the...
Jon Batiste Jazz Bar at Baha Mar
Nassau, The Bahamas
Gensler transforms a casino floor of slot machines into an immersive jazz club, blending live performance, Bahamian culture, and dynamic hospitality design.
Carnegie Music Hall Seat Replacement
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Carnegie Music Hall renovation provided necessary updates throughout the hall and allows for more accessible, functional space for decades to come.
INSIGHTS
Blog
Why Latin America Is Becoming the World’s Next Entertainment Epicenter
In Latin America, a new generation of destinations is emerging, designed to bring together entertainment, hospitality, retail, and community in ways that reflect the region's distinct energy and identity.
Blog
Atlanta: Defining the Future of Global Sports and Entertainment Districts
A new playbook for sports and entertainment districts is emerging — and Atlanta is building it in real time.
Blog
Live Event Amenities: The Next Frontier for Creative Workplaces
Companies are investing in live event-ready amenity spaces to attract talent, fuel creative work, and create buzz in the workplace.
Research
Evolving Immersive: The 2025 Immersive Entertainment & Culture Industry Report
Explore the most comprehensive evaluation of the state of Immersive Experience available today, published in partnership by Gensler and the Immersive Experience Institute.
Blog
How Repositioning Houston’s Astrodome Can Serve as a Model for Aging Sports and Entertainment Venues
A proposal to redevelop and repurpose the iconic stadium into a multi-use venue would preserve the building’s historic integrity while giving it new life.
Blog
Designing for the Future of Theater and Immersive Entertainment
Our Media and Entertainment leaders discuss what’s next for immersive theater and performing arts venues.
Blog
How Technology Is Redefining the Fan Experience at Sports and Music Venues
In this Q&A, our Digital Experience Design and Sports leaders discuss how technology is currently being used to streamline venue operations and enhance the fan experience.
Blog
The Future of Live Music Venues
After analyzing pre-COVID trends, the industry’s pandemic response, and projections of post-vaccine preferences, we’ve identified six design and programmatic modifications that guide the development of the ideal music venue.
LIVE PERFORMANCE VENUES LEADERSHIP
John Houser
Live Performance Venues Leader, Design Director, Principal
John Houser is a global leader of Gensler’s Live Performance Venues practice and a Design Director in the firm’s Austin office.
Kai Westermark
Live Performance Venues Leader, Design Manager
Kai Westermark is a global leader of Gensler’s Live Performance Venues practice and a Design Manager in the firm’s Los Angeles office.
NEWS
In The Media
![]()
Condé Nast Traveller
Gensler’s Design of the Jon Batiste Jazz Club at Baha Mar Embodies the Richness of Bahamian Culture
The interiors embody the richness of Bahamian culture with luxurious finishes, interesting artwork, and immersive installations, while paying homage to historic Bahamian clubs.
January 21, 2025
In The Media
![]()
Sports Business Journal
Gensler Is Transforming Lenovo Center To Create More Flexibility and Prioritize the Fan Experience
Gensler Sports Studio Director Greg Brown explained “this project is a perfect storm” for needing to design in flexibility to support multiple sports teams, concerts, and local events.
August 26, 2024
In The Media
![]()
Los Angeles Conservancy
The Los Angeles Conservancy Recognized Gensler’s Work With Netflix To Reimagine the Egyptian Theatre
Earning the Conservancy’s Chair’s Award, the Egyptian Theatre “remains a focal point on Hollywood Boulevard and an important place to experience cinema history.”
May 02, 2024
In The Media
![]()
The Architect’s Newspaper
Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Music Hall Reopens with Renovations by Gensler and Partners
Gensler and partners renovated Carnegie Music Hall to improve the venue’s accessibility, upgrade its electrical and sound systems, and restore decorative elements.
March 25, 2024
In The Media
![]()
Los Angeles Times
New Crypto.com Arena Luxury Suites Will Grant Fans Access to Players’ Tunnel
Designed by Gensler with sports facility architect Dan Meis, the four new “tunnel suites” grant fans special access through the same entrance used by pro athletes and performers.
July 19, 2023
In The Media
![]()
Architizer
University of Texas at Austin Moody Center Named an Architizer A+Awards Finalist
Architizer announced the University of Texas at Austin Moody Center Basketball and Events Arena as a 2023 A+Awards Finalist in the Stadium & Arena category.
May 30, 2023
In The Media
![]()
Axios
Gensler Unveils a Rendering of a New Music Venue Coming to Raleigh’s Downtown South
The proposed new music venue will feature apartments and a 70,000-square-foot music venue — complete with a rooftop lounge.
January 03, 2023
In The Media
![]()
Billboard
Austin’s Moody Center Leads Billboard’s 2022 Top Venues Chart
Grossing more than $62.7 million in its opening year, the Gensler-designed sports and live music venue “has reshaped touring in central Texas.”
December 06, 2022
In The Media
![]()
Sports Business Journal
How Gensler Designed the Moody Center to Host Both Basketball Games and Live Concerts
Sports Business Journal detailed how Gensler’s design of the new Moody Center in Austin meets the different needs of both its owner and developer.
May 23, 2022