BUFFALO, NY — The Gilbane-Turner team, the Buffalo Bills, and elected officials celebrated the official completion of the new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The massive public-private partnership marks the largest construction project in western New York history, delivering an open-air entertainment venue that secures the franchise’s home in Buffalo for the next 30 years. The stadium spans 1.6 million square feet on a 242-acre site.
More than 600 guests gathered outside the stadium to celebrate the milestone, accomplished just 34 months after the initial groundbreaking. Built by a Gilbane-Turner joint venture and designed by the Bills in collaboration with Legends and architecture firm Populous, the project represents a major achievement for regional labor and diverse business utilization:
- Labor force: Approximately 6,000 craft workers clocked roughly 5 million labor hours to build the venue.
- MWBE participation: The project surpassed New York State’s nation-leading 30 percent Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) participation goal, yielding more than $490 million in payments to MWBE participants.
- Local contracts: More than $250 million in contracts were awarded directly to regional western New York MWBE firms.
- Return on investment: The long-term economic impact generated by the venue is projected to exceed the public contribution to the project.
Standing at 116 feet above grade, nearly double the height of the previous stadium, the new Highmark Stadium features views of Lake Erie, downtown Buffalo, and the Boston Hills. Built to withstand western New York winters while maximizing fan comfort, the venue includes a 60,108-seat capacity (plus standing room) and the following amenities:
- Engineered canopy: A 360-degree canopy covers 64 percent of the seating bowl, specifically designed to mitigate exterior wind factors and eliminate swirling winds on the playing field.
- Advanced heating technology: Equipped with heated concourses, radiant heating above some seats, and the world’s largest stadium snow-melt system that utilizes roof sensors to automatically monitor and melt snow accumulations.
- Playing surface: A Kentucky bluegrass field features underground heating coils to prevent freezing, alongside sub-air ventilation, sub-air technology, and grow lights to preserve optimal turf conditions year-round.
- Acoustics and tech: Two video scoreboards paired with a high-fidelity sound system.
- Community culture: Integration of the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program, showcasing site-specific permanent collections created by more than 45 artists in partnership with thousands of local community members. The stadium’s welcome plaza features a signature sculpture of an American Bison family.
- Accessibility and infrastructure: Complete compliance and accessibility for individuals with disabilities, suites, loge seating, club levels, administrative offices, broadcast facilities, and modern food-service kitchens.
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“Delivering a stadium of this scale and significance required extraordinary collaboration, innovation, and commitment from thousands of people over several years," said Carl Stewart, Gilbane-Turner Principal-in-Charge and Turner Construction Company Vice President. "From the earliest planning stages through construction, our team worked alongside the Buffalo Bills, Gilbane, New York State, Erie County, trade partners, and the local community to create a world-class venue that reflects the passion of Bills fans and the strength of western New York. We are honored to have helped build a stadium that will stand as a symbol of what can be achieved through partnership, craftsmanship, and a shared commitment to the region.”
“[This] represents the culmination of millions of hours of work from local and diverse businesses and skilled tradespeople who rolled up their sleeves to build the new home of the Buffalo Bills," said John LaRow, Gilbane-Turner Principal-in-Charge and Gilbane Building Senior Vice President. "Together, they created a testament to the hardworking spirit of western New York and a place that will strengthen the region and create lasting community impact. Highmark Stadium belongs to the entire region, and we are so proud to have worked alongside the Bills, the Hochul administration and New York State, and Erie County to help deliver this remarkable new complex. We cannot wait for fans to enjoy their new home this year and for decades to come.”
