New renderings revealed for Washington Wizards practice facility in Congress Heights

Last Friday, Washington, D.C.’s convention and sports authority, Events DC, released flashy new renderings of the planned Washington Wizards practice facility in Congress Heights. The facility is designed by international design firm ROSSETTI and D.C.-based Marshall Moya Design. It will be constructed on the St. Elizabeth’s East campus.

With a delivery slated for 2018, the $65 million venue is expected to house a minimum of 4,200 seats, two practice courts, swimming pools, training rooms, and a kitchen. The 118,000-square-foot structure will host concerts and home games for the Washington Mystics.

According to a press release, the design of the venue will also support a concourse and lobby areas, which will be used for special events and community programming. There will also be exterior facing retail tenant bays.

In July 2016, the plans for the facility changed. Originally, the stadium was expected to house 5,000 seats and cost only $55 million. President and Chief Executive of Events DC Gregory A. O’Dell sent D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson a revised budget with additional money for two levels of seating and contingencies.

This venue will be the first Women's National Basketball Association-dedicated facility in the league, according to a press release.