PHOTO CREDIT HERE TK Rossetti is working on a way to convert the Lions’ Ford Field into a venue. soccer

COURTESY DETROIT PISTONS FEBRUARY 2019 FEBRUARY

!   huge success of ’s United FC Mercedes-Benz at culminated in record attendance the for 2018 MLS Cup. than More 73,000 fans the packed stadium Dec. see 8 to #ATLUTD beat the Portland Timbers and win the cup. was It the largest crowd in 22-yearthe league’s history. THE

It’s not an anomaly. AtlantaIt’s United recorded crowds of 70,000 for BY DON MURET DON BY CONTINUED ON PAGE 57 PAGE ON CONTINUED 54 54 AS IN OTHER LEAGUES ARE SHRINKING, ARE SHRINKING, LEAGUES IN OTHER STADIUMS AS ADDING SEATS AT ARE LOOKING FRANCHISES MLS

some of its bigger matches its ”rst over two years in MLS, and has it caught the attention of U.S. pro soccer teams developing new stadiums in Austin, , Nashville and Sacramento, among other markets. allThey’re taking a closer look whether at the typical soccer-speci”c

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BIG GAME PHOTO CREDIT HERE TK FEBRUARY 2019 55 55 REDEFINING ‘PREMIUM SEAT’ AND THE EXPERIENCE THAT GOES WITH IT

HAS THE PHRASE “premium seat” become a dated term in “Ultimate Fan today’s sports economy? Experience” As the customization of fan experience continues to ex- package. The pand across sports and entertainment and the lines blur for team has control what’s considered a seat upgrade, it’s a good question to ask over when fans architects. can peer into “Teams are spending a lot more time wanting their venue the locker room, to reŠlect the diversity of clientele that comes to them,” said Stingley said. Byron Chambers, design director and principal with Popu- Along the lous. “I’m not even sure if premium is the right word. Instead same lines, big of using it to describe a suite or a loge box, you’re seeing league teams social spaces a big part of it as well. It’s not actually a seat. could learn from It’s an environment.” NASCAR and “Social gathering space” has been the buzz phrase for some of the about Šive years now and even it sounds a bit dated, but things it does, standing-room-only hangouts tied to food and drink are still such as allowing working for teams. For stadiums, whether it’s an extension fans to pay more of a club lounge or a platform in the upper deck, architects to rub elbows say it’s that feeling of exclusivity that teams are increasingly with drivers in looking for as they split the ticketing market across all demo- the garages graphics. before big races, “Authenticity comes to mind, giving people authentic ex- Rossetti principal Jim Renne said. Over the past Šive years, periences,” Chambers said. “People want something of and his Širm has worked for International Speedway Corp. to part of the local community. The Heineken rooftop bar at design major renovations to tracks in Daytona Beach and is one example. It might actually be the best view Phoenix. of the entire stadium. It’s not associated with a particular “We can do more with that,” he said. “We have the tunnel seat, and thinking that way is very important.” clubs at stadiums, but is there a way to (create) other activi- Some are taking the next step. In their talks with MLB ties around players? The drivers go into a sponsor’s hospital- teams, o’icials came up with an intriguing concept ity space and talk. It’s hard because coaches want to keep they call “one ticket, three ways.” Under that scenario, the (players) isolated and focused on the game. The unique thing fan’s game-day experience is split into three-inning incre- about going to an event is the athletes and how can you ments, say, a prime seat for three innings, followed by a visit bring that culture to the fans? We should make that piece to the park’s microbrewery for the middle three innings and more of a spectacle that you can’t get anywhere else.” culminating with a standing-room perch over the team’s At stadiums, social spaces are popular at for the Šinal three frames. schools such as Kentucky, where the Keeneland Paddock, a It’s something the have considered for patio deck, sits behind a section of new club seats at Kroger their potential new stadium as they work with Populous on Field. Elsewhere, Šield-level suites and clubs in the end zones the project. In the leisurely sport of , the concept are trending at Washington, Mississippi State, Louisville and is basically driven by people who prefer to roam the park Texas. One sports architect doesn’t understand why athletic while introducing a variety of premium seat options over the departments aren’t focusing on the primary real estate along course of time, “so they can kind of see their path to a better the sidelines to develop new premium spaces. experience,” said Gina Stingley, the architect’s marketing “They’re electing for the easy solution in the end zones,” director for the Americas. said Gerardo Prado, HNTB’s sports group director and vice “We’ve tested it with a few teams,” she said. “It’s kind of president. “The most exclusive and best experience should like a tasting.” be the seats closest to the action with the best vantage The taste for getting as close to the players as possible point. Some schools are deviating from that concept be- without invading their space, typically a premium perk, is cause of the fear of exploring surgical renovations and the trending to the point where one Australian Football League complexity of doing it along the west sideline, where the sun stadium has a glass ceiling over the home team’s locker is behind you and you’re in the shade for the most part. With room. At GMHBA Stadium, home of the Cats in the end zones, you’re always going to have that glare during a city 75 miles southwest of , it’s part of the portions of the game.” — Don Muret

56 FEBRUARY 2019 COURTESY POPULOUS be a shift back to bigger buildings? back to bigger ashift be there could venues, to soccer-speci”c moving before mid-1990s the in stadiums NFL in debuted teams MLS most where asport in and stadiums, new more building is league other No exception. the is MLS renovations. and builds new in both facilities, NFL and for MLB Stadium. Rock at Hard tournament tennis Open the as events such sports scale large- other to ”t stadiums to convert šexibility the and technology ofvideoboard evolution the to players at event access level, closer providing market, seat premium ofthe segmentation ther fur addressed also They architects. to sports ing development 2019, accord in stadium in watch Stadium. ofCalifornia club at Banc a”rst-year FC, Angeles Los including fans, 20,000 than more averaged teams 23 10 ofthe Still, years. ”ve in drop league’s the ”rst 2018, stadium. at the matches for most a tarp deck with upper the despite covering 2009, in play MLS started team the since 40,000 about of crowds drawn have consistently Sounders The United’s 53,002. Atlanta behind league the in second placing 2018, Field in turyLink at Cen- 40,641 averaged stadium, NFL an in playing team MLS another Sounders, Seattle markets. their ”ts best seats model of20,000 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 54 In general, downsizing has been the trend trend the been has downsizing general, In to trends ofseveral one is MLS in uptick The in 1percent down was attendance MLS The alone. not are Atlanta in upstarts The - - to bring it up to this new expectation?’” new to it this up to bring things some modify or lessons some to learn Ido can what stadium, my existing in so ‘OK, as, over. such We’re alot ofquestions getting it taken almost they’ve United; Atlanta was there surprise “The said. Johnson NFL,” the in everybody have almost looked at it, of people open. deck stays upper the SC, City Orlando as such For rivals to 40,000. 35,000 draw which games, United Atlanta for most seamlessly bowl the It blends roof. into the from hanging curtain black abig just that’s than more for soccer setup half-house acustom with MLS and NFL the for both abuilding HOK designed Atlanta, In ”rm’s Stadium. development ofMercedes-Benz leader HOK ofthe and with principal design a Johnson, Bill said discouraging, was empty looked that retro”t stadium 80,000-seat an in venues. ofsports builders and designers among for MLS teams. food and drink are pitch still a successful tiedto Standing-room-only hangouts sation,” he said. “You’re going to see existing “You’resation,” he said. existing to see going “I feel bullish on the whole soccer conver whole soccer the on “I feel bullish alot Stadium, Mercedes-Benz o¥ “Coming matches playing ofMLS, days early the In you ask whom on depending Perhaps, locker room. locker team’s home the into down look can fans tralia, Aus- in Stadium GMHBA at perk apremium As - whose ”rm, Meis Architects, is designing a new anew designing is Architects, Meis ”rm, whose July. in opened which United’s facility, new D.C. Field, for Audi million of$400 to ahigh $100 million from jumped has stadiums MLS for tag price the few years, past the Over venues. bigger, sophisticated more to construct cost increased the against capacity in aboost ancing bal is part tricky the stadiums, soccer-speci”c seats.” it 50,000 make and stadium tion combina- NFL/MLS an build youwhere might aday see “I can league,” new he said. atively said. Koger decade ofoperation, third its in growing still ofaleague future the are models Atlanta and Seattle The renovations. and builds new both spanning facilities NFL adozen plus Stadium, ofCalifornia Banc including projects, stadium worked MLS ”ve on has career, Koger 40-plus-year his Over group. tion’s sports Construc ofPCL manager ident general and maybe it really makes sense.” makes it really maybe you’ve venues if where market, these got the do you accommodate point what At thing? same do the could market this somehow if what roof), retractable (and its at Atlanta you look If indoors. that’s fully not stadium asoccer it feel like to making down “It comes said. Renne Jim principal roof,”the Rossetti idea ofopening the we but propose stadium, grass. natural with facility open-air prefer an o®cials League turf. arti”cial on indoors soccer for playing Detroit’s plan criticized has Garber sioner Don venue. To Commis- asoccer into MLS date, NFL’s ofthe home Lions, Detroit 65,000-seat Ford the Field, for converting asolution ”nd to team MLS ofaproposed owners the with he said. for buildings,” new ofdevelopment strategy terms alot in about we talk something is stadium the into and streets the into and bars ofthe out happens that grid organic you where have this Seattle said. Johnson tions, tradi- sport’s the into buying community and city to the aspect cultural strong the is apart it’s is, a¥ordable.” more thing other The crowds. the to draw going is soccer competitive, you’re If venues. NFL to play in able for soccer it’s accept more to middle, be going the in where some to cross start lines those As feels good. it deck, upper the o¥ block you can and seats to 40,000 to to 30,000 get up you start When cases. some in to add seats venues start soccer “I’m a big believer in scarcity,” said Dan Meis, Meis, “I’m Dan scarcity,” said in believer abig developing cities smaller in teams For those arel- it’s still MLS, about you think “When It makes sense, says Dale Koger, vice pres Koger, Dale says vice sense, It makes indoor an on keen not is at all league “The working is Rossetti ”rm design Detroit, In in concept match’ to the whole ‘march “The Seattle and Atlanta sets that thing one The FEBRUARY 2019 57 - - - - 57 - BLUEPRINTS: U.S. STADIUM CONSTRUCTION

CITY VENUE EST. COMPLETION EST. COST OWNER ARCHITECT BUILDER NOTES

ARIZONA

TEMPE Sun Devil August $307 million Arizona State University Gould Evans, HNTB Hunt/Sundt JV The current work is the third phase of a long-term renovation plan for the facility Stadium with a total price tag of $307 million.

CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES Los Angeles August $300 million University of Southern DLR Group AECOM Hunt / The project's focal point is a new suite and press deck on the south side of the Memorial California Hathaway Dinwiddie stadium, which will add multiple founder's suites, premium suites, loge boxes, Coliseum club seats, press box and a new concourse.

FLORIDA

NORTH PORT CoolToday Park March $125 million Sarasota County Fawley Bryant Tandem The ’ new spring training home will have 7,000 seats and capacity Architecture Construction for 8,500. The ballpark will open for one game in March and become the team’s full-time spring home in 2020.

KANSAS

Above: Atlanta United FC WICHITA Minor league March 2020 $75 million City DLR Group, SJCF JE Dunn, Eby New downtown Triple-A ballpark will have a capacity of 10,000 and include a recorded crowds of 70,000 ballpark Construction variety of seating options. An out˜ield entry will feature an entertainment district for some of its bigger matches and hall of fame highlighting the history of baseball in the city. over its irst two years in MLS, drawing the attention of others in the league. April $760 million Tom Ricketts Populous Pepper The ballpark will undergo facade and concourse improvements while satisfying Left: , the new total; $140 Construction requirements of the Chicago Landmarks Commission and National Park Service home of Minnesota United FC, million for as part of long-term renovations. opens in April with a 3,000-seat current phase supporter section. CHAMPAIGN Memorial TBD $130 million University of Illinois HNTB Turner A new 10,000-seat south end zone addition and renovations to the east sideline Stadium Construction / of Memorial Stadium will be done after the addition of a new football Clayco performance center.

IOWA

IOWA CITY Kinnick Stadium August $89 million University of Iowa Neumann Monson JE Dunn The project consists of a complete tear-down and rebuild of the north end zone Architects, HNTB Construction with a new four-level structure. Indoor club space and concourse amenities will be completed for the 2019 season.

MINNESOTA

ST. PAUL Allianz Field April $250 million Minnesota United FC Populous Mortenson The new stadium exterior will consist of a translucent tensile mesh fabric that will Construction glow while functioning as a crowd noise ampli˜ier and weather-shielding structure. stadium for FC Cincinnati, a United Soccer groups. Banc of California Stadium features League club that starts play in MLS in 2019. As 114 loge boxes and about 2,000 club seats, it stands now, Meis said, the new venue will seat plus MLS’s „rst bunker suites. NEVADA 25,000 to 30,000 for a team that consistently In Los Angeles, the „nishes in the club draws those numbers at , the lounges at the $350 million facility are on par Las Vegas July 2020 $1.8 billion Las Vegas Stadium HNTB, Manica Mortenson / The new 62,500-seat stadium will host NFL games for the Raiders, World Cup and University of Cincinnati’s football facility. with NFL stadiums, said Bill Rhoda, presi- Raiders stadium Authority Architecture McCarthy JV FIFA-sanctioned soccer matches, UNLV football games, concerts, music festivals, “Given that these buildings have become dent of Legends Global Planning, the owner’s shows and other community events. much more expensive than they were „ve to 10 representative for LAFC. years ago, we’re a bit careful about that,” Meis HNTB is studying the capacity issue and the SUMMERLIN Las Vegas Spring $150 million Howard Hughes Corp. HOK Hunt The 10,000-seat stadium will provide a wide range of seating options, including 22 said. “Cincinnati is one of those clubs that was right premium seat mix for a few MLS stadium Aviators ballpark Construction, suites, club seats, berm seating and party zones, and will be designed to able to drive a huge fan base as a USL team. projects. It’s involved with the Sacramento Penta Building complement a master planned community. For them, it’s hard not to want to build as big Republic and the Columbus Crew. Group as they can, and we’re pretty con„dent that it HNTB is also a „nalist for the Inter Miami will follow them into the new building.” FC project headed by British soccer royal- TENNESSEE In Washington, Audi Field has 20,000 ty David Beckham. In South Florida, Inter NASHVILLE Nashville 2021 $275 million Metro Sports Authority Populous Mortenson / The new MLS stadium will feature 20,500 seats. seats, but building on an urban site and Miami FC already plans to build a 25,000-seat Fairgrounds Messer Construction upgraded premium spaces resulted in higher stadium, matching the size of Orlando Co. costs. Overall, as the MLS stadium model Stadium, which opened in 2017. matures, there’s been a shift to developing “For select markets, higher capacity may a greater variety of club seat and loge box make sense, but in discussions we’ve had with products across the league, starting with Chil- several potential MLS teams, they’re still look- clubs and loges to carve out additional revenue dren’s Mercy Park, home of Sporting KC. ing at the low to mid-20,000 range for overall without a signi„cant construction cost. Fans get HOK; POPULOUS Premium seats carry a higher price seating,” said Gerardo Prado, HNTB’s sports engaged with the action in club seats with a bet- point, and when tied to long-term contracts, group director and vice president. “What we’re ter product to market [over suites]. Sacramento those packages give teams the ability to pay seeing is a higher percentage of premium seat- is asking us to review things in terms of the construction debt over time. Sporting KC’s ing, 14 percent to 16 percent of total seating.” overall premium strategy and Miami as well.” stadium opened in 2011 with „ve clubs and a He said, “If you look at some of the sec- For sports architects, the focus is on the „eld-level lounge tied to the team’s supporter ond-generation stadiums, they’re adding more MLS general admission customer as well,

58 FEBRUARY 2019 A LOOK AT SOME PROJECTS IN THE WORKS BLUEPRINTS: U.S. STADIUM CONSTRUCTION Source: Architecture irms, published reports

CITY VENUE EST. COMPLETION EST. COST OWNER ARCHITECT BUILDER NOTES

ARIZONA

TEMPE Sun Devil August $307 million Arizona State University Gould Evans, HNTB Hunt/Sundt JV The current work is the third phase of a long-term renovation plan for the facility Stadium with a total price tag of $307 million.

CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES Los Angeles August $300 million University of Southern DLR Group AECOM Hunt / The project's focal point is a new suite and press deck on the south side of the Memorial California Hathaway Dinwiddie stadium, which will add multiple founder's suites, premium suites, loge boxes, Coliseum club seats, press box and a new concourse.

FLORIDA

NORTH PORT CoolToday Park March $125 million Sarasota County Fawley Bryant Tandem The Atlanta Braves’ new spring training home will have 7,000 seats and capacity Architecture Construction for 8,500. The ballpark will open for one game in March and become the team’s full-time spring home in 2020.

KANSAS

WICHITA Minor league March 2020 $75 million City DLR Group, SJCF JE Dunn, Eby New downtown Triple-A ballpark will have a capacity of 10,000 and include a ballpark Construction variety of seating options. An outŠield entry will feature an entertainment district and hall of fame highlighting the history of baseball in the city.

ILLINOIS

CHICAGO Wrigley Field April $760 million Tom Ricketts Populous Pepper The ballpark will undergo facade and concourse improvements while satisfying total; $140 Construction requirements of the Chicago Landmarks Commission and National Park Service million for as part of long-term renovations. current phase CHAMPAIGN Memorial TBD $130 million University of Illinois HNTB Turner A new 10,000-seat south end zone addition and renovations to the east sideline Stadium Construction / of Memorial Stadium will be done after the addition of a new football Clayco performance center.

IOWA

IOWA CITY Kinnick Stadium August $89 million University of Iowa Neumann Monson JE Dunn The project consists of a complete tear-down and rebuild of the north end zone Architects, HNTB Construction with a new four-level structure. Indoor club space and concourse amenities will be completed for the 2019 season.

MINNESOTA

ST. PAUL Allianz Field April $250 million Minnesota United FC Populous Mortenson The new stadium exterior will consist of a translucent tensile mesh fabric that will Construction glow while functioning as a crowd noise ampliŠier and weather-shielding structure.

NEVADA

LAS VEGAS Las Vegas July 2020 $1.8 billion Las Vegas Stadium HNTB, Manica Mortenson / The new 62,500-seat stadium will host NFL games for the Raiders, World Cup and Raiders stadium Authority Architecture McCarthy JV FIFA-sanctioned soccer matches, UNLV football games, concerts, music festivals, shows and other community events.

SUMMERLIN Las Vegas Spring $150 million Howard Hughes Corp. HOK Hunt The 10,000-seat stadium will provide a wide range of seating options, including 22 Aviators ballpark Construction, suites, club seats, berm seating and party zones, and will be designed to Penta Building complement a master planned community. Group

TENNESSEE

NASHVILLE Nashville 2021 $275 million Metro Sports Authority Populous Mortenson / The new MLS stadium will feature 20,500 seats. Fairgrounds Messer Construction Stadium Co.

speci”cally the supporter sections behind said. “Those are the people who elevate the In today’s digital age, where fans can the goals where the team’s most fervent fans energy level, are always going to be chanting stream more live sports on their mobile devic- congregate. Those spaces are expanding to and if they’re not excited and into the game, es than ever before, apart from the stadium more than 3,250, which is the case of Banc of nobody else really will be. We pay close experience, it’s critical to get those numbers California Stadium. Allianz Field, Minnesota attention to how we can keep improving the right, Johnson said. United FC’s new stadium, will open in March experience for the supporters with their own “The buildings can only do so much, and with 3,000 supporter spaces. concourse and club that they can transform then it comes down to the teams and owners “That’s the heartbeat of the pitch,” Prado into their own space.” to adapt to the changing market,” he said.

FEBRUARY 2019 59