On Jan. 21, Sphere Entertainment Company announced its intent to build a “mini-Sphere” modeled after the iconic Las Vegas entertainment Sphere in Maryland. The Nevada concert venue has attracted thousands of tourists since its opening, due to its size and design.
The Maryland version would keep the same spherical design, but would be notably smaller, only seating 6,000 people. The city of Las Vegas may be known for its flashy restaurants, hotels and casinos, making the conspicuous nature of the Sphere blend in with its surroundings. But Maryland does not need a mini-Sphere — and building one would fundamentally alter the character of the region for little benefit.
Despite its proximity to the nation’s capital, the Maryland area does not have the same atmosphere to accommodate a flashy entertainment establishment. The metropolitan area has a much more understated landscape compared to Las Vegas, and the mini-Sphere would completely disrupt the area’s appearance. No matter the diminished size, the venue is designed to attract attention. By only seeing it from afar, one can feel overwhelmed and become distracted by the Sphere’s intentional strobe designs. It would jeopardize the safety of Maryland drivers and pedestrians by hindering their commutes with unnecessary screen displays.
The mini-Sphere would be entirely impractical and redundant when compared to the wide variety of convenient and endearing venues the DMV offers. Countless musical artists, spanning a wide range of fame, have no difficulty finding venues that suit their audiences and acts. Because of its limited capacity, the mini-Sphere would not evidently contribute to Maryland’s concert scene and would likely not attract new artists who could not already find a suitable place to perform in the region. The Sphere is designed for a city like Las Vegas, and it is important that the Maryland legislature recognize that the National Harbor bears no resemblance to Southern Nevada.
A mini-Sphere in the Washington area would ruin the area’s charm and authenticity, and pose potential hazards and distractions to passersby. The venue would have little effect on the music scene of Maryland, and would be a poor solution to a nonexistent problem. Any potential benefits of constructing an unnecessary venue do not outweigh the damage of having a distasteful building in Maryland.
