Although LA still does not have an NFL Team, developer AEG today awarded architecture giant Gensler the design of the city’s hypothetical 1.7 million square foot downtown stadium, called Farmers Field. Gensler beat out HKS and HNTB who were also shortlisted for the project back in December. If the $1 billion project moves forward it will seat 65,000 to 75,000 people, contain about 200 luxury suites, and have a retractable roof, enabling it to facilitate convention events as well as football games. Gensler’s  proposal also features a lightweight ETFE roof, bulging outward and taking on an oval-shaped profile.

The project would be located on a 15-acre plot on the site of the LA Convention Center’s West Hall, which would be demolished and moved to a site further south (AEG is conducting a search for the architect of that project, which will be called Pico Hall). Gensler has already designed the majority of AEG’s L.A. Live development in the area, including its Ritz-Carlton/JW Marriott and its Regal Cinemas. Meanwhile the beleaguered NFL may not even have a season next year, so we think it might be occupied with other things for a while. Stay tuned.