New Atlanta Stadium: The design for the New Atlanta Stadium features a retractable roof that provides a radical departure from the kinetic roofs of other sports facilities. Image: HOK
HOK has completed the acquisition of Kansas City-based 360 Architecture, in turn confirming HOK’s new global Sports + Recreation + Entertainment practice and expanded capabilities in Kansas City, Columbus and San Francisco, USA.
With the finalization of the merger, HOK’s global Sports + Recreation + Entertainment practice is participating on design teams for a retractable-roof, multipurpose stadium in Atlanta, which will be home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and a MLS expansion team; the proposed St. Louis NFL Stadium on the North Riverfront area of downtown St. Louis; the renovation of Sun Life Stadium for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins; the AT&T Center renovation for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio; the design of Cisco Field, a proposed new ballpark for MLB’s Oakland Athletics in San Jose, California; and a new stadium for MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes.
Avaya Stadium: Avaya Stadium for Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes in San Jose, California, will include the longest outdoor bar in North America among many other fan amenities. Image: HOK
“We acquired 360 because we consider them the world’s most innovative designers of stadia, ballparks, arenas, recreation and wellness centers, and mixed-use entertainment districts,” said Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA, HOK’s chairman and CEO.”
HOK says its new Sports + Recreation + Entertainment practice will draw on the firm’s expertise in other markets including aviation and transportation, civic and cultural, commercial, corporate, education, government, healthcare, hospitality, justice, residential, retail, science and technology and tall buildings in order to facilitate the design of mixed-use entertainment districts anchored by sporting venues that promote urban revitalization.
Notable projects include the Nationwide Arena District, which helped transform downtown Columbus by catalyzing approximately US$1bn in development around Nationwide Arena, the Sprint Center and its neighboring eight-block, mixed-use Kansas City Power and Light District, and Edmonton’s new Rogers Place arena, which will open in 2016 and anchor the Edmonton Arena District.
MetLife Stadium: MetLife Stadium for the New York Jets and Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, aims to create an innovative and immersive experience for fans, sponsors, and players. Image: HOK
“With stadia and arenas hosting more entertainment events, they can act as catalysts to invigorate urban districts or to attract people to a region,” said HOK President Bill Hellmuth, AIA. “These venues need to be integrated with neighborhood facilities including hospitality, retail, residential and office space.”
HOK’s re-entry into the sports, recreation and entertainment market in 2015 coincides with the celebration of its 60th anniversary. After starting HOK Sport in 1983, the firm spun off its sports practice in 2008. 360 Architecture was founded in Kansas City in 2004 through a merger of CDFM2 Architecture and Heinlein Schrock Stearns.
Cisco Field: A proposed new ballpark for Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics in San Jose, California. Image: HOK
