City News

Today, Saban Center celebrated its topping out, a major construction milestone for the first-of-its-kind learning campus for STEM and the arts currently taking shape in Tuscaloosa’s River District. The striking marble-clad complex was designed by globally renowned architecture firm Steinberg Hart with Birmingham-based Davis Architects in close creative collaboration with Nick and Terry Saban. Set to open in 2027, the project will bring education, creativity, and community together under one roof, advancing the Sabans' vision for a destination that expands educational and economic opportunity for young people and families across Alabama. The Saban family gathered with city, state, and trade partners at the construction site to mark the occasion, which reflects steady progress by general contractor Stone Building Company toward a 2027 opening.

"Saban Center is deeply personal to us—we've been involved every step of the way, working closely with the design team to shape a place where children of all ages can explore their curiosity and imagine what's possible for their futures," said Nick and Terry Saban. "We're thrilled to see this vision materializing in the heart of Tuscaloosa, and can’t wait to see the next generation of Alabama's leaders, makers, and dreamers make it their own."

Newly released renderings reveal the 118,000-square-foot Saban Center as a constellation of flowing, curved pavilions anchored by a transparent central tower—an architectural composition designed to feel monumental yet distinctly of its place. Set within a 7.71-acre landscape along the Black Warrior River, the building is nestled into the site's natural slope, reducing its apparent height at street level while creating a recognizable landmark from the north. A graceful sequence of outdoor approaches reinforces the campus as a highly public, inclusive destination, designed to welcome families, school groups, and learners of all ages while respecting the scale and character of the surrounding district. This site-sensitive approach reflects Steinberg Hart’s 70-year commitment to creating memorable architecture for education and the arts that is deeply rooted in place, including the Crested Butte Center for the Arts  in Colorado, and the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire in Wisconsin.

The building’s striking facade is composed of locally sourced recycled marble from the Alabama Marble Mineral & Mining Company, celebrating the state's landscape, craft, and natural resources. Daily cycles of natural light will enliven the marble block’s intricate woven pattern, casting varying shade and shadow sequences across the building's exterior. Inside, regionally sourced woods and metals were chosen for durability and long-term performance—part of a holistic sustainability approach grounded in local sourcing, material reuse, and resilient construction.

The 70-foot glass tower at the heart of the complex houses an 18-foot illuminated globe powered by cutting-edge display technology, creating a new beacon for the evolving River District and reinforcing Saban Center’s role as a hub for discovery and innovation.

Led by Nick and Terry Saban and their Nick’s Kids Foundation in partnership with the City of Tuscaloosa, Saban Center is being delivered through a broad public-private collaboration, including with the State of Alabama, which is establishing the State of Alabama STEM Hub on-site. Envisioned as a resource for students and educators alike, the campus will offer hands-on learning experiences, STEM labs and exhibits aligned with Alabama's educational priorities, and professional development opportunities designed to support teachers and strengthen workforce pathways statewide. CambridgeSeven is leading the conceptualization and design of the interactive educational exhibits, with Theatre Projects providing venue planning and room design, performance equipment design, acoustics, and audiovisual and integrated technologies for the new facility.

In addition to the Alabama State STEM Hub, Saban Center will unite several of Tuscaloosa’s most storied community institutions, including the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre and IGNITE (formerly the Children’s Hands-On Museum). Additional partners and programming that extend learning beyond the classroom include the Poarch Creek Indians, Alabama Power Foundation, Mercedes-Benz, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Parker Towing, The University of Alabama, The Westervelt Company, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Shelton State Community College, and Stillman College, among others.

“The design of the Saban Center reflects a shared belief that architecture can actively support learning and discovery. Every element, including an intentional intertwining of locally-sourced, recognizable materials, was conceived to create an environment for inquisition and connection rooted in the community of Tuscaloosa,” said Malcolm Holzman, Partner at Steinberg Hart. “The design of an ambitious project that will truly advance education in Alabama was only made possible through genuine collaboration with Davis Architects, the State of Alabama, the City of Tuscaloosa, and the Saban family.”

"Saban Center will be a catalyst for building Alabama’s future-ready workforce," said Walt Maddox, Mayor of Tuscaloosa. "Through this extraordinary partnership with the State of Alabama, Nick and Terry Saban, and many dedicated organizations, we are creating pathways that equip students and educators with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in tomorrow’s economy."

“Saban Center reflects Alabama’s commitment to expanding access to innovative educational experiences for students and educators across our state,” said Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama. “By bringing STEM education and the arts together on one dynamic campus, this project will help prepare the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers. We are deeply proud to lead this project alongside the Sabans, and we cannot wait to watch this space come to life.”

"The architectural vision for Saban Center reflects our mission to foster curiosity, confidence, and leadership in young Alabamians. Flowing, integrated spaces invite exploration across disciplines, while the Alabama marble facade and regionally sourced materials root the campus in the place and people it serves,” said Audrey Buck, Executive Director of Saban Center. “Through our partnerships with the city, state, and numerous leading institutions, we’re excited to open a new hub for learning and collaboration that will create lasting opportunities across the region.”

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About Saban Center

Saban Center will be a launchpad for those looking to enhance their lives through innovative, interactive learning. By offering hands-on learning experiences for students and educators, the campus will foster curiosity, confidence and leadership skills for all who visit. Saban Center’s innovative campus will house the State of Alabama STEM Hub, the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre and IGNITE, formerly the Children’s Hands-On Museum. At the Saban Center, arts, education, discovery and innovation come together to prepare the workforce of the future.

About Steinberg Hart

For more than 70 years, Steinberg Hart has shaped the built environment with purpose and imagination, designing memorable places that enrich lives and strengthen communities. With offices across California and in New York City, Texas, and Shanghai, the interdisciplinary firm's commitment to design excellence is informed by a national depth of expertise, with an approach grounded in local context and human needs.

Media Contact

info@sabancenter.org