Onsite: An inside look at the $430 million renovation of Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium

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When the Baltimore Ravens took a 7-3 halftime lead over the Atlanta Falcons in their preseason home opener on Aug. 17, fans began rallying toward the latest addition to the M&T Bank Stadium: The Gatehouse.

The Gatehouse, a rooftop deck within a newly opened two-level social space, is part of a $430 million global renovation of the Ravens’ home stadium in Baltimore, where the team has played since 1998 .With more than 5,000 square feet on each level, The Gatehouse offers a sports bar atmosphere with bathrooms on both floors, a capacity of about 400 people per floor and views of Charm City.

But before bartenders poured drinks and fans took in the views from the new deck, Gilbane Building Co. senior project executive Corey Sarver and his team worked tirelessly to get The Gatehouse ready for the game preseason Even so, the space was not completely finished.

Days after the preseason game, Sarver returned to The Gatehouse, now adorned with custom artwork, television screens and crow figurines still hanging from the ceiling. This time, instead of cheering on the fans pouring into the bar, construction workers moved in to put the finishing touches on it.

For example, to ensure the bar was ready for the preseason game, Gilbane had quickly installed a temporary laminated plastic bar surface. Now, project crews replaced that temporary finish with permanent concrete tops, Sarver said, with just a few weeks to spare before the Ravens’ regular-season home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 15.

All renovation activity at The Gatehouse will be completed in time for this game, Sarver said.

Processing of change orders

Preparing the bar for customers and installing TV screens were the finishing touches to The Gatehouse’s renovation. Before getting to that point, however, Gilbane had to find solutions to several challenges, including a critical change order to reinforce The Gatehouse’s concrete ground floor with fiberglass. The adjustment was necessary to ensure the structure could accommodate the expected crowd and activities, Sarver said.

Gilbane chose fiberglass to reinforce the ground floor because of its strength, durability and lightness. This makes it an ideal choice for structures that need to support heavy loads without adding excessive weight.

“To apply this form of reinforcement and achieve proper cure, the surface and air temperature had to be maintained at 70 degrees or higher,” Sarver said. “Since this material was to be installed in February and March, we had to temporarily tent and heat the outside loading dock where this product was being applied in order to meet this requirement.”

Gilbane quickly mobilized resources and worked closely with its business partners to implement the change without delaying the project schedule, Sarver said.

Fan experience

The upgrades to M&T Bank Stadium focus on one key goal: improving the fan experience, Sarver said. As well as putting the finishing touches to The Gatehouse, Gilbane is also finishing work on The Blackwing, the stadium’s most luxurious accommodation.

The Blackwing, located in the former press area below the club level next to the Ravens, features 10 suites that connect to a private clubhouse. The club offers concierge services, high-end food, beverage options and a fully enclosed balcony with retractable glass.

To support the structural load of this new hall space, Gilbane reinforced the existing foundations and columns located at the lobby level. That required removing the slab from the hall, excavating down to the foundation and widening the existing pile layers to provide additional support, Sarver said.

Gilbane then moved the former press area to the suite level. To ensure accuracy, project teams used BIM technology throughout the project. The combination of existing structures with new additions made BIM an ideal choice for coordinating design and construction, allowing the team to integrate the two elements, Sarver said.

“Scanning the existing structure allowed the team to see the variations in the existing ground elevations,” he said. “The team was then able to adjust the new structure to meet these different elevations prior to the steel construction, saving time and money.”

The Blackwing space, as well as the new press box, will be ready before the Ravens’ regular-season home opener, Sarver said.

This trend of prioritizing the fan experience is evident in other major stadium renovations across the country.

For example, in Charlotte, a joint venture between New York City-based Turner Construction and local contractor DA Everett Construction Group is set to update the Spectrum Centerhome of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. The planned works include a fourth throw in the lower level of the arena, the relocation of two clubs, the addition of a new courtside club and the renovation of the entire suite level.

Meanwhile, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sweden-based Skanska plans to install a new modular steel composite seating system at MetLife Stadium ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Country clubs

Looking ahead, the Maryland Stadium Authority also aims to revitalize the field clubs at M&T Bank Stadium, with significant improvements planned for the South Club, North Club and West End Zone Club and Suites.

All of those projects are on track for completion in 2026, Sarver said, adding that Gilbane will continue renovations during the football season but will stop work on game days to avoid disruption to fans.

That means Ravens fans sitting behind the end zone celebrating touchdowns this season will likely have no idea there’s a construction site under their feet.

In the South Club, Gilbane will create an ultra-premium field-level lounge with direct views of the Ravens’ 50-yard line tunnel and postgame press conference room. The renovation will include seating for 400 fans, a boutique area and shared bathrooms.

The North Club will offer a field-level experience with a social sports bar atmosphere. Conveniently accessible from the main concourse, the club will offer limited field seating and air-conditioned spaces for up to 350 spectators.

The West End Zone Club and Suites will have capacity for 500 guests and will feature two high-end bars. The space will offer an all-inclusive game day experience with access to premium food and beverages before, during and after the game.

“We’ve shot some amazing spaces, but we’re not done yet,” Sarver said. “As the Ravens begin their season, I am excited to begin the next phase of renovations that will further elevate the year-round fan experience for visitors to M&T Bank Stadium.”