BREAKING: Updated Renderings, Signs for Xfinity Mobile Arena
Some refinements to the design are coming for the newly named arena, along with a "monumental" new landmark
From a now-defunct arena for the Sixers in Market East to rumors of a brand-new Eagles stadium somewhere in the region, our sports teams are keeping us on the edge of our seats, and not just because of the barrage of Schwarbombs (Editor’s note: can we PLEASE sign this guy?!!?!). No, we’re referring to all of the drama around the real estate goings on, from an expanded Xfinity Live! set-up in the works to a shift in Market East where Comcast and the Sixers brass have plans for a non-sports reinvention to the long-term $2.5-billion mixed-use update to the entire complex. And let’s add another new wrinkle to this on-going saga: brand new renderings for the old Wells Fargo Center, soon to be known as Xfinity Live Arena.
While the Sixers arena drama was on-going, the South Philly arena that has been home to the Sixers and Flyers since it was built received a brand-new $400-million, state-of-the-art update. The outside is about to have a new look, too, per a recent submission to the Sign Committee of the Art Commission. Xfinity Mobile Arena - named for the wireless service of Flyers/arena owner Comcast Spectacor’s parent company - saw the old sign come down last month, with some conceptual renderings floating around from the original announcement. But this new submission gives us a much clearer idea of how things are going to look in the near future.
Honestly, this change is about as non-invasive as it gets, swapping out a bank logo for a smaller, sans serif mobile service logo. Additionally, a new “Monumental X” will be placed outside of the arena, seemingly urging fans to snap a photo in front of The X (*groan*). The 12-foot-tall structure has been given the OK by the local group which oversees the sports complex (the Spectrum Area Limited Partnership), so we’d imagine the Sign Committee will likely give this the go-ahead to proceed, perhaps with a few changes here or there.
While this wouldn’t classify as the biggest breaking news we’ve ever delivered, it’s still a tangible sign of progress for the complex. This area has all the potential in the world, and it would be great to see it spruced up for all of the visitors coming for the huge events of next summer. Per the submission, there are plans for a “major rebranding event” on September 2nd, but that’s all dependent on this first receiving approval at the upcoming meeting this week to meet that timeline. But until the parking lots are filled in with more active uses (and until SEPTA is fully funded to connect everything), this area will still be more of a prospect with upside rather than a perennial All-Star.
