Industry
Hospitality
Location
Baltimore, MD
Square footage
400,000
The customer
Opened in 1962, the CFG Bank Arena is a multipurpose venue home to Baltimore’s premier sporting and entertainment events. The building stands at the original site of Old Congress Hall, where the Continental Congress met in 1776. Since then, it’s hosted monster truck rallies, NBA games, arena football games, and iconic musicians like The Beatles. The CFG Bank Arena can accommodate up to 14,000 guests and spans approximately 400,000 square feet in downtown Baltimore.
In 2023, the Oak View Group began managing the facility and renamed it CFG Bank Arena. During that transition, the Oak View Group and CAAIcon, a strategic management firm representing the arena owner, completed a $250 million renovation, which included the addition of modern acoustics, premium seating, and updated heating and cooling systems to the building. When it reopened in 2023, CFG Bank Arena was named the 10th highest-grossing venue in the world (10,000 -15,000 capacity) by Billboard magazine.
The challenge
Looking to expand the scope of services within the arena, the Oak View Group and CAAIcon partnered with Vicinity Energy to provide steam and chilled water to the building. To replace the facility’s onsite chillers and update its heating and cooling systems, CFG Arena needed to either install its own equipment or use a district energy system to source steam and chilled water. If the venue installed onsite boilers and chillers, they would occupy significant space and require large upfront investment. Not only does that mean less functional space for guest experiences, but it also requires a team to operate, maintain, and monitor this equipment.
The other challenge was compliance with Maryland’s Building Emissions Performance Standards (BEPS), which requires large buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net- by 2040. This local policy applies to any building over 35,000 square feet and mandates annual reporting and performance improvements. To meet these standards, the CFG Arena would need a heating and cooling solution that’s both affordable and sustainable.
The solution
Vicinity was an ideal match for CFG Bank Arena because not only does our Baltimore district energy system provide steam and chilled water solutions, but there was existing pipe infrastructure in place to connect to the building. This enabled an easier installation, leading to more usable space within the building, reduced costs related to installation and maintenance, and compliance with Maryland’s Building Emissions Performance Standards.
Maximizing building space through district energy solutions
By choosing district energy, CFG Bank Arena connected to Vicinity’s system without installing boilers or chillers in the building. That opened up more square footage and opportunities for new infrastructure such as additional club levels, premium seating, food and beverage stations, and other attractions that drew more guests to the arena. Rather than occupying valuable space with industrial equipment, CFG Bank Arena leveraged district energy to improve guest experience overall.
Reducing installation and ongoing maintenance costs
Vicinity’s solution saved the venue significant building space, but it also reduced installation and maintenance costs. By partnering with Vicinity, CFG Bank Arena did not have to install onsite equipment, saving upfront costs during the renovation. It also meant they didn’t have to monitor or maintain the equipment over time. Vicinity’s team would handle these operations for the arena, reducing staffing needs and payroll expenses.
Complying with local building emission standards
One of the most important solutions that Vicinity provides is clean energy that aligns with local policies like BEPS. In fact, Vicinity’s chilled water service allows buildings to comply immediately with BEPS. That’s because Vicinity’s district energy system is affordable and sustainable, helping large buildings like the CFG Bank Arena adhere to local policy without compromising heating and cooling needs. Buildings that are subject to emissions standards need to comply fully or risk being charged fees and other penalties by local government.
CFG Arena also has the option to transition to Vicinity’s eSteam™ services which is 100% carbon-free thermal energy. While the building is not required to connect to these services, the future flexibility makes Vicinity an affordable solution both now and in the future.
With the completion of these renovations in 2023, CFG Bank Arena continues to stand as a landmark venue in the city of Baltimore. By choosing district energy, it continues to create memorable guest experiences while meeting all of its unique heating and cooling needs.
Benefits
Maximized building space
Upfront capital savings
Reduced operational and maintenance costs
Recycled condensate
99.99% reliability
