Sphere at The Venetian Resort

Cumming Group served as commercial manager for MSG Las Vegas, LLC and provided cost management and estimating services for the Sphere at The Venetian Resort, a music and entertainment arena near the Las Vegas Strip. Upon completion in 2023, the sphere will reach 366 feet high and span 516 feet wide at its broadest point for a total of 875,000 sq. ft., setting the world record for the World’s Largest Spherical Structure, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY. The sphere has nine levels, including the basement, where a VIP club will be located. Seating for more than 17,000 people will cover two-thirds of the interior, leaving the remaining space for the stage.

Overall Scope of Work

As the commercial manager for the Sphere at the Venetian Resort, Cumming Group worked on behalf of MSG to minimize risks and maximize the value of their project. Our team supported various aspects of the development including:
• Continuous cost estimating
• Value engineering
• Bid analysis
• Change order management and negotiations
• Domestic and international materials escalation studies

Project Challenges

Unique, One-of-a-kind Spherical Design
Building a massive, spherical shape was an unprecedented and incredibly ambitious project, requiring use of the world’s fourth-largest crane. “This was not a traditional ground-up cost management assignment,” said Raj Adusumalli, Cumming Group’s project director who oversaw the team for the entire 24-month duration. “This was an endeavor to create the world’s first and largest spherical entertainment venue, and our team was ready for the challenge.” There were numerous electrical and mechanical elements requiring Cumming Group’s cost management team to fully and accurately estimate every package with the highest level of detail. The project was originally scheduled to open in 2021. However, construction was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2020, MSG announced that construction had resumed on the project, with the opening rescheduled for 2023. In October 2021, MSG hired Cumming Group to serve as commercial manager with responsibility for providing estimates on all packages and reviewing escalations. Our team of experienced cost specialists provided hundreds of estimates and cost studies along with subsequent cost guidance to the client.

Supporting a Remote, Out-of-state Client
Communication is key on any construction project. Our team understands the importance of this and provided vital information to the owner, who was located both in New York and London, on a frequest basis. By providing continuous estimates and analyses of project costs in a timely manner, MSG was able to make well-informed design and business decisions. Our approach led to the early identification of potential cost issues