US architecture firm Gensler has designed a stadium for Major League Soccer (MLS) hopeful North Carolina Football Club – one of a number of football-specific projects the studio is working on.

The football club has earmarked downtown Raleigh as the location for the stadium. The development will include a conference space, office, hospitality and retail space, housing and public parking.

“This is an important step in our pursuit of a MLS franchise,” said owner Steve Malik.

“Our vision is to make the facility a crown jewel for downtown Raleigh, providing world-class sporting and social experience for fans and the community.”

North Carolina FC is one of 12 markets to submit a bid to join the MLS.

An economic development study, compiled by Economic Leadership LLC, has shown that the stadium and surrounding residential and leisure development could bring as US$2.8bn (£2.2bn, €2.4bn) to North Carolina over the next 17 years.

The project is also another feather the the cap for Gensler, which has a number of projects for MLS and potential expansion teams in the pipeline.

The studio is working on new facilities for Los Angeles Football Club, which will join the MLS is 2018, and San Diego, a market hoping to follow suit.