News
Date: November 5th 2007 Projects: Sprint Center and Prudential Center
HOK Sport has added 'the crystal bowl' and 'The Rock' to its portfolio with the opening of Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. and Prudential Center in Newark, NJ in October. Both arenas are sited in the heart of their downtown and are looked upon to revive excitement in the urban experience.
Sprint Center, the anchor of a new downtown Kansas City entertainment district, officially opened with an Elton John Concert on October 13. The arena features a 360-degree glass façade that creates an ever-changing tapestry of reflective light. Intentionally transparent, Sprint Center gives outsiders peeks into the arena. And, more spectacularly for fans inside the arena, the transparency offers magnificent views of the Kansas City skyline.
"For once, we got to play in our own backyard," said Rick Martin, HOK Sport project executive, whose firm has designed arenas around the globe. "Because we were so close to home, the pressure was on to get it just right. I think we gave Kansas City an iconic piece of architecture."
The arena will enliven Kansas City's downtown, both day and night, with concerts, family entertainment and the Big 12 collegiate basketball tournament. The arena was designed to accommodate an NHL or NBA team, and it also shares a lobby with the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Collegiate Basketball Experience.
HOK Sport designed the project with other local architecture firms Ellerbe Becket, 360 Architecture and Rafael Architects, who comprised the Downtown Arena Design Team. That group received the American Institute of Architects – Kansas City chapter Firm of the Year award in 2005.
Across the country, another rock star opened yet another HOK Sport-designed arena in Newark, New Jersey. Bon Jovi opened the Prudential Center on October 25, followed two nights later by the first NHL New Jersey Devils hockey game, jump-starting events at the first professional sports facility to open in the tri-state area in more than two decades.
HOK Sport's goal for Prudential Center was to create an intimate seating bowl enveloped by the most unique spectator experience in professional sports. The firm did so by creating distinctive Devils-branded spaces throughout the arena.
Floor level bunker suites provide spectators with eight suites with a close connection to the game. Along either side of the ice, the Fire Bar and the Ice Bar provide premium amenities for club-level patrons. The Bud Light Goal Bar, open to all arena patrons, and a brick–town themed restaurant with seats overlooking the event floor and the practice arena complete the circle around the event floor. The arena also features 72 suites nestled on two levels.
"The arena was a long time coming, and we trust that the citizens of Newark and the Devils fan base have an arena in Newark that they can enjoy," said Jim Walters, HOK Sport Senior Principal. "Devils fans, and all of New Jersey, can take pride in this facility in the heart of the city."
Both Sprint Center and Prudential Center are operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group.
HOK Sport also is working on new arenas for the NBA Orlando Magic and NHL Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as a new collegiate arena in Louisville, Ky. The firm’s new arena under construction in Berlin, Germany will open next August.
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