Project Description
Austin, Texas
Construction partnering was used to kick off the Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium South End Zone renovation, aligning stakeholders early and setting the team up for a touchdown from the start.
The renovation added 295,000 square feet of new seating, suites and club areas to the historic 150,000-seat stadium, creating a modern bowl configuration and elevating the fan and student-athlete experience. The project also introduced a 55.85′ x 134.38′ video board and improvements to the Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletic Center, strengthening the stadium’s position as one of the nation’s premier collegiate facilities.
As the project’s Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Hensel Phelps led construction delivery, coordinating closely with the University of Texas Athletic Department and campus stakeholders to ensure the stadium and adjacent athletic facilities remained fully operational. Because work occurred on an active campus across two football seasons — and during the COVID-19 pandemic — careful planning was essential. The team scheduled no-work and low-noise periods around practices and events and completed major components before each season to support game-day needs.
In advance of home games, project members partnered with stadium operations to prepare for crowd flow, logistics, and safety. Weekly “good neighbor” meetings with campus departments supported proactive coordination, while pre-game inspections with fire marshals and security ensured life-safety systems remained uncompromised.
During the 2020 season, construction continued safely through five home games, supported by temporary walkways, guardrails, fencing, signage, and traffic controls. Despite challenges posed by COVID-19 and a severe winter storm, the project finished on time for the 2021 season with zero safety incidents or disruptions, earning UT System Gold and Silver STEP Awards.
Partnering Approach
Because of the project’s high visibility, demanding schedule, and the need to maintain uninterrupted football operations, the team launched a formal facilitated partnering session at the outset. This kickoff session brought together representatives from the University of Texas, Hensel Phelps, Populous, and key athletic department leaders — including the football program’s Chief of Staff — to establish shared expectations and build trust early.
During the session, the team identified Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs) focused on budget, schedule predictability, operational continuity, safety, quality and maintaining a positive fan experience during construction. They also defined what long-term success would look like, such as identifying cost savings early, ensuring the football program remained fully functional, minimizing impacts to fans and campus users, delivering a state-of-the-art facility and strengthening relationships among all stakeholders.
Participants made personal commitments to support these goals, which were revisited in follow-up meetings throughout the project. The team also established communication protocols, issue-resolution pathways, and expectations for high-performing behavior, creating a strong “one-team” foundation.
This solid partnering framework fostered a unified project culture, enabling aligned decision-making, open communication, and effective problem-solving. By building on this strong foundation, the team was able to achieve the project’s shared stretch goals, strengthen long-term relationships, and deliver a top-rate athletic facility that serves as a model for future stadium construction.
Partnering Results
- Completed on schedule
- Delivered within budget
- Zero safety and lost-time incidents
- Strengthened communication and teamwork
- Encouraged innovation and effective problem-solving
- Delivered high quality and long-term value
- Garnered positive media coverage
- Maintained strong public sentiment
Project Notes
- Project Cost: $157.3 million
- Size/Square Footage: 295,000 sq. ft.
- Delivery Method: CM-at-Risk
- Construction Duration: 848 Days
- Completion Date: July 2021
