Washington Kastles Find New Home On Union Market's Rooftop

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --The Washington Kastles today announced they will play the 2019 World TeamTennis season in a new stadium specially constructed by EDENS on the existing roof of Union Market. Kastles Stadium at Union Market aims to reimagine tennis with the sky-breaking rooftop stadium offering sweeping views of the District and a new and unparalleled game-day experience for Kastles fans including extraordinary culinary options.

Rendering: https://www.dropbox.com
Video Clip: Announcing Kastles Stadium

Union Market District has been one of DC's most iconic destinations for generations. Since the Market's re-opening in 2012, over 5 million people annually visit the District.

"As a Washingtonian who loves this city, I am dedicated to bringing our community together and showcasing DC as a world-class destination through the power of sports," said team owner Mark Ein. "From its roots as Centre Market, a fresh food venue established more than 100 years ago, Union Market has become a great unifier for our community. Kastles Stadium at Union Market will be the perfect home court for our franchise and will connect people from all walks of life throughout the region. We look forward to making memories here for many seasons to come, and are grateful to partner with a visionary like Jodie McLean and the EDENS team to provide fans with an unmatched sports and entertainment experience."

The distinctive rooftop court will be home to some of the top players in the world this summer, including Kastles' stars Venus Williams, Nick Kyrgios, and Maryland native Frances Tiafoe. Washington opens the season on their new home court on July 15 when the Kastles, led by Tiafoe, host the Las Vegas Rollers.

EDENS, the owner and developer of Union Market, has proposed plans in front of Zoning Commission to activate the existing rooftop of the Union Market building – with the iconic Union Market sign as a backdrop – to create an 8,000 square foot park and entertainment venue with food and beverage offerings and a wide-array of community programming.

"EDENS is committed to creative thinking and bold actions that we hope contribute to the evolution of DC as a world-class city. Bringing elite athletes to an innovative pop-up stadium and working with city thought leaders like Mark Ein, Councilmember McDuffie and Mayor Bowser is a privilege," said EDENS CEO Jodie McLean. "We are honored to play our part in creating a community that reaches not only our immediate neighbors, but much further providing connections and experiences that enrich those who spend time here. Our financial and emotional investments in the Union Market District are aimed at building a community of creativity, innovation and inclusion for all."

For the past 11 years, the Kastles have played across Washington, D.C., in locations that became some of the Capital's most iconic neighborhood destinations. The team began a historic winning reign in 2008 on the site that would later become CityCenterDC. In 2011 the franchise moved to The Wharf, which overlooks the Southwest Waterfront, and the Kastles have called George Washington University home for the past four seasons. While at George Washington University, the team created an incredible indoor tennis environment where the best players from all over the world came to compete. With the new move, Ein is bringing his team back outside, establishing Kastles Stadium at Union Market as the most unique setting for professional tennis competition in the country and making it the most exciting venue for the Kastles to date.

The arrival of Kastles Stadium will be a marquee moment for the Union Market District and will be the first event to happen on this truly unique rooftop location.

"As Councilmember for Ward 5, I am excited to welcome the Washington Kastles to their new stadium atop Union Market," said Councilmember of Ward 5 Kenyan McDuffie. "The fans who attend games in this stunning new venue will experience the extensive and growing assortment of offerings in the Union Market District, and those residents who live nearby will enjoy the addition of this unique outdoor recreation and entertainment space."

The Kastles have continued to keep community at the center of their mission and vision throughout their 11-year history and are dedicated to investing in the people and places where they practice and play. The franchise has donated over $1.4 million in cash and in-kind contributions to over 150 community, charitable and military support organizations serving the greater DC region. Additionally, the franchise continues to host 4-5 youth clinics every year with Kastles players, area teaching pros and some of the biggest stars in the sport including Serena Williams, Venus Williams, the Bryan Brothers, Frances Tiafoe, Martina Hingis, Sam Querrey, Nick Kyrgios and others.

Kastles fans can anticipate an "elevated" atmosphere in every sense of the word; the very intimate 700-seat rooftop stadium will reimagine the spectator experience. The new Kastles Stadium will continue to feature a combination of unique premium-seating options including VIP Dinner Tables with food offerings by Union Market District restaurants, Premier Courtside Boxes, Baseline Experience and Sideline Experience seats, along with more affordable options so that everyone can enjoy the Kastles experience. A sponsor reception area will be available just off of the court for private events and meet-and-greets with players. VIP ticket holders will also enjoy direct access to Dock 5 for exclusive pre-match hospitality offerings.

"The new Kastles Stadium will place fans in the center of the action making them a part of the Union Market community while showcasing the beauty of the D.C. skyline, making it one of the most spectacular and iconic sporting venues the city has ever seen," said Ein. "Coming off our previous stadiums that often hosted sold-out crowds with capacities ranging from 2,200 to 3,500 seats, Kastles matches in our new 700-seat venue will undoubtedly be the hottest ticket of the 2019 summer."

While their new Union Market home highlights the Kastles' embrace of off-court innovations and best-in-class fan experiences, the commitment to on-court excellence is unwavering. Washington's 2019 team lineup is a star-studded one, featuring 23-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, Australian phenom and former world No. 13 Nick Kyrgios, and College Park prodigy and 2019 Australian Open quarterfinalist Frances Tiafoe. The team roster is completed by an extraordinary lineup of rising stars and established champions from around the world, including top 10 doubles standout Bruno Soares of Brazil, rising Japanese star Yoshihito Nishioka, and two Ukrainians, 2017 US Open Junior Champion Marta Kostyuk and doubles standout Lyudmyla Kichenok.

The Kastles are recognized as the most dominant franchise in World TeamTennis' 44-season history, capturing a league record six championships, including five consecutive titles from 2011-15. Washington also set the mark in 2013 for the longest winning streak in major professional sports history at 34 matches (2011-13).

With the redesigned and smaller Kastles Stadium at Union Market, team officials expect every match to sell out quickly. Season tickets are currently available for the Kastles home matches, which will include Venus Williams on July 25, Kyrgios on July 27 and Tiafoe on July 15, 16 and 17. For more information or to purchase season tickets, visit www.washingtonkastles.com or call 202-4TENNIS (483-6647). For exclusive Kastles news, ticket information and player updates, follow the Kastles on Facebook and on Twitter.

About the Washington Kastles:
Founded in 2008 by local entrepreneur Mark Ein, the Washington Kastles have a record six World TeamTennis titles (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), including five consecutive championships. In 2011 and 2012, they completed the only perfect seasons in the league's 41-year history. In 2013, Washington extended its winning streak to 34 matches, setting a new major U.S. pro sports record. The team's mission is to bring the D.C. community together, make tennis accessible to everyone in the Greater Washington area and actively support local charitable partners. To that end, the Kastles provide cash, ticket, racquet or other donations to more than 200 charitable, military and civic organizations each year and have donated more than $1.4 million to these organizations. Learn more about the team by visiting WashingtonKastles.com and following the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @washkastles.

About Mark D. Ein:
Mark D. Ein is an investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who has created, acquired, invested in and built a series of growth companies across a diverse set of industries over the course of his 30-year career. During this time, Ein has been involved in the founding or early stages of six companies that have been worth over one billion dollars and has led over $1.8 billion of private equity, venture capital and public company investments. Ein is the Founder and CEO of Capitol Investment Corporation 4 and Venturehouse Group, LLC and Leland Investment Co.

A native of the Washington, D.C., area, Ein is also the Founder and Owner of the Washington Kastles, the most successful team in World TeamTennis history. The Kastles have won the league championship six of its 11 years since its founding, and holds the record for the longest winning streak in U.S. pro team sports history winning 34 straight matches from 2011 through 2013. In September 2018, Ein founded the Washington Justice esports franchise in the Overwatch League, bringing the premier global esports league to the greater Washington, D.C. region. Also, in 2018, Ein acquired the Washington City Paper, the renowned weekly paper serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area since 1981. In 2019, Ein took over management and operation of the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., one of only five U.S. professional tennis tournaments that include both men's and women's fields.

He has won numerous awards including the Washington Business Hall of Fame, Washington DC Business Leader of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce, the Jefferson Award (the nation's highest honor for public service), Washington Business Journal Top Corporation for Philanthropy (Small Companies), Washington Business Journal Power 100, Entrepreneur of the Year Awards from Ernst and Young and the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). In September 2009, Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty presented Ein with the Key to the City, highlighting his Washington Kastles success on the court and, "for their commitment to the District's communities and our youth."

About EDENS:
EDENS is a retail real estate owner, operator and developer of a nationally leading portfolio of 125 places. Our purpose is to enrich community through human engagement. We know that when people come together, they feel a part of something bigger than themselves and prosperity follows— economically, socially, culturally and soulfully. EDENS has 250 employees across offices in key markets including Washington, D.C., Boston, Dallas, Columbia, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Houston and Denver. For additional information about the company and its retail real estate portfolio, visit www.edens.com or follow @WeAreEDENS.

About the Union Market District: 
The Union Market District is a place where businesses of all sizes launch, scale and innovate; a place for creative minds and businesses to connect, thrive, discover and make D.C. their own. Located a short walk from the United States Capitol and NoMa/Gallaudet Metro station, the Union Market District is a 45-acre historic urban development where, at its core, sits the acclaimed food market, Union Market. Since opening in September 2012, Union Market has created its own thriving international community now averaging nearly 3 million visitors annually. With Michelin-recognized restaurants and retail concepts from both coasts, the District has hosted more than 500 pop-ups and events, attracting new concepts from YouTube Space to online retail powerhouse Everlane. A contemporary Latin American market, La Cosecha, will open in the District in Summer 2019 on 4^th Street.  For more information about the Union Market District, please visit www.unionmarketdc.com or follow @UnionMarketDC on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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SOURCE Washington Kastles; EDENS