News
Date: Jan 24th 2007 Projects: Albuquerque & Louisville Arenas
KANSAS CITY, MO – HOK Sport has been selected as designer of two high-profile arena projects in the past week.
Yesterday, the Louisville, Kentucky Arena Authority unanimously approved the selection of HOK Sport to design a new $225 million arena as part of a planned downtown sport/hotel/retail complex.
Friday, HOK Sport was selected to design an arena for downtown Albuquerque which will be part of a mixed-use development.
“Both projects are envisioned as catalysts for urban rejuvenation,” said Rick Martin, AIA, HOK Sport principal and leader of the firm’s arena market. “And while we are pleased to add to our arena work, more importantly, we are excited to be able to play a role in the revitalization of the downtown environment of these two cities.”
The 22,000-seat Louisville Arena, situated on the former Louisville Gas and Electric site (bounded by Second Street, River Road, Third Street and Main Street), will anchor a proposed retail, hotel and underground parking development. The project will open for the fall 2010 season of the University of Louisville men’s and women’s basketball teams.
“The prominent waterfront site provides an opportunity for us to create a truly civic statement for the city of Louisville,” said Steve Hotujac, AIA, principal in charge of the Louisville project.
Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez selected the ABQ Downtown Development Team – of which HOK Sport serves as arena designer – to enter exclusive negotiations with the city to develop a new district within the city’s urban core. A proposed 16,000-seat arena would serve as anchor to the district, which also would include a hotel and residential and retail space. The development team is led by Dallas-based Garfield Traub Development.
“Albuquerque is ripe for development,” said Jim Swords, AIA, principal of the Albuquerque project. “We will collaborate with the city and the ABQ Downtown Development Team to study how best to deliver a successful arena incorporated into the larger mixed-use development.”
HOK Sport has vast experience in arena design, including 56 collegiate arenas, 48 civic arenas and 32 professional arenas. The firm’s experience includes such recent urban arenas as Sprint Center (as part of the Downtown Arena Design Team); Pepsi Center in Denver and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
For further information please contact
Gina Leo at HOK Sport (Kansas City)
Telephone: +1 816 221 1500
Facsimile: +1 816 221 1578
Email media@hoksve.com