The Center for Arts and Innovation in Boca Raton, Florida has selected the Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano to design a new arts and cultural destination in the city.

According to a press release, Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) beat out shortlisted proposals by Ennead, Foster + Partners, and OMA for the commission.

“We are proud and honored to be the selected design architects for The Center for Arts and Innovation in Boca Raton, and we are eager to start working on this exciting project,” Piano said in a statement.

In 2018, The Center for Arts and Innovation, a nonprofit that delivers art and culture to the city, first announced the project. It was then when The Center unveiled its plans for six adaptive performance and events spaces, both indoors and outdoors, with seating capacities ranging from 99 to 3,500 seats for a total of 6,000 attendees. The city of Boca Raton formally approved the new space in October 2022.

“Over the last five years, leaders in Boca Raton and the region have dedicated their time, effort and resources to make today’s historic announcement possible,” said Andrea Virgin, chair and CEO of The Center. “The international interest and ultimate selection of one of the world’s greatest design architects underscores not only the global significance of this project, but the enormity of our supporters’ courage, vision, and generosity.”

The Center officials claim the new destination will distinguish itself from other South Florida cultural venues with its ability to accommodate a range of performance spaces and a lab for entrepreneurs and undertaking STEAM-related projects.

Renzo Piano was selected for the project from his track record of delivering on high quality cultural spaces. The Center officials note that Piano’s office accepts only two new commissions a year, adding to their new Center’s attractiveness. Earlier this year Renzo Piano was selected for another Florida cultural and performing arts project: the design of the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center to replace the existing Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Upon completion, The Center could generate $1.3 billion in overall economic impact in its first five years. Renzo Piano Building Workshop is set to begin designing new arts facility in October 2023.

Construction crews will break ground in 2025, Boca Raton’s centennial year.