MSG’s New Look

While officials at Cablevision await public approval of a midtown redevelopment project that would include the construction of a new Madison Square Garden just west of the current site, the building has undergone a facelift of sorts.

In efforts to keep its VIPs happy, Cablevision is remodeling MSG so it can compete with the amenities offered by newer buildings.

"We could be sitting here and just waiting to either renovate or move to the Farley building, but we are not," MSG vice-chair Hank Ratner told the New York Times. "The demand for the VIP premium seating at a lower level is there, and we are trying to fill it in steps."

Recent upgrades to the arena include conversions of several sections of seats to VIP areas with leather seating and flat-panel TVs, upgraded boxes in two sections near the floor to allow for more space per spectator and the addition of six new VIP boxes called the Lofts, near the court-level entrance ramps. A new scoreboard also will be installed and a members-only club for season ticket holders is expected to be completed this spring, according to the Times.

Although exact dollar amounts for the renovations weren’t disclosed, the paper estimated the upgraded facilities could bring in millions of dollars in additional revenues for the venue.