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Madison Square Garden Transformed in $1-billion Makeover

A “new,” advanced, state-of-the-art Madison Square Garden has reopened after the completion of a three-year, $1-billion “top-to-bottom” transformation, which significantly enhances every aspect of the historic arena. Visitors will see the “new” everywhere from the re-imagined Seventh Avenue entrance, now christened Chase Square, to comfortable and plush seating (the famed blue seats are back!), more dining venues (ranging from  fairly affordable to elegant), and improved sight lines. Sports figures and entertainers will also notice numerous improvements in the “back of the house” locker rooms and star dressing rooms.

The All-Access Tour will restart on November 7th.

The basketball court at Madison Square Garden

In addition, two spectacular new Chase Bridges overhang the arena vastness with unparalleled views of sports action and concerts. There’s also the Eighteen/76 Balcony on the Bridge level, offering new food and beverage options and lounge seating.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, MSqG’s executive chairman Jim Dolan, and Garden president and CEO Hank Ratner participated in the relaunch ceremony. Celebrities, including Knicks legend Willis Reed and Rangers great Mark Messier, were also in attendance. 

“Madison Square Garden is uniquely beloved by both the fans in the seats and the athletes and performers they’ve come to see - and we are pleased to transform it for the next generation,” said Dolan. “We knew that the world’s greatest fans deserved a truly remarkable experience; and we feel we’ve succeeded in making this a truly unforgettable place and ensuring a future is as bright as its celebrated past.”

To complete the transformation, MSqG shut down for three consecutive off-seasons; however, there was a full slate of NBA and NHL games while construction was underway. The project created 3,700 union construction jobs over some 2.6- million man hours of labor.

The hockey rink at Madison Square Garden

New elements also include an area for the Garden’s children’s charity, the Garden of Dreams, 18 renovated suites with “center stage” views, 600-square-foot ceiling video screens, several exclusive membership clubs, and a broadcast center.

There’s diverse dining fare from celebrity chefs and restaurateurs, such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Drew Nieporent, Carnegie Deli, Hill Country BBQ, La Esquina, and Casa Nonna.

The glorious past hasn’t been forgotten. MSqG has mounted photo and memorabilia tributes to the arena’s defining moments throughout, including Garden 366, a visual retrospective on the concourse that wraps the circumference and features one moment in Garden history for every day of the year.           

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