Pro tennis tournament in Mason plans new $25M building

The Western & Southern Open announced today plans to build a new $25 million five-story building, dubbed the “South Building,” with groundbreaking planned immediately following the conclusion of this year’s event.

The structure will replace the current building and will more than double the interior space for fans and amenities, according to tournament officials.

Overall, Center Court seating will increase to 11,750 from 11,467, according to those in charge of the tournament held annually in Mason.

The new 40,000 square foot, 104-foot-tall structure will be constructed between Center and Grandstand Courts, with different levels offering views of one or both marquee match courts.

The main feature is the split-level second floor hosting a restaurant and bar, which opens up to cascading indoor, air-conditioned box seats, presumed to be the first in professional tennis. The extra-wide, 252 stadium seats sit behind glass and have access to the adjoining restaurant and bar.

The third floor, above the restaurant, holds 396 new outdoor box seats and an interior space with concessions, a bar, gathering areas and restrooms.

The fourth floor includes six all-inclusive suites with 126 total seats and a shared space for food and refreshments.

The fifth floor offers a state-of-the-art broadcast and production center.

“The building is chock-full of amenities. Every square foot was designed with the intention of bringing the things that fans need — restrooms, bars, concessions and air conditioning — to these new areas. We’re especially excited about the climate-controlled box seats, truly an innovation in the sport of professional tennis,” said Greg Jacoby of architecture firm Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf, which designed the building.

Cincinnati-based Schumacher Dugan will manage construction of the project, which will be complete in time for the next year’s event.