Orlando Events Center Design Unveiled
Orlando-Inspired Design to Re-energize Downtown
Orlando Events Center Information
December 11, 2007
ORLANDO – Orlando civic leaders, the Orlando Magic and architects from HOK Sport today unveiled the design of Orlando’s newest downtown icon – the new Orlando Events Center.
The Events Center, which is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2010, will be home to the Orlando Magic and the Orlando Predators, and it will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows. The City of Orlando will operate the new Events Center, while the community will own the facility.
“Over the past three years, we have focused on revitalizing the Parramore neighborhood and have experienced a resurgence in our downtown,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Today marks another important day in our efforts, as the Events Center takes shape with the design unveiling of this new downtown landmark - a gathering place for all of Orlando and Central Florida.”
“In designing the community’s new Events Center we feel we have created the framework for a facility that will be the catalyst for economic revitalization in downtown’s West side, while establishing a flexible design that will serve as a great home and attract the nation’s premier events,” said Alex Martins, Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer. “The building has a design unique to Orlando, while providing a framework for long-term environmental sustainability.”
The Orlando Events Center will feature a modern mix of metal and glass exterior materials. An iconic, 120-foot-tall glass tower element will serve as a beacon amid Orlando’s vibrant downtown while anchoring the arena to the adjacent I-4 highway. The tower, with a unique Tower Club and observation deck at the top, will be programmed with assorted lighting elements to allow for its character to change via variations in color and intensity.
“We took a hard and long look at the essence of Orlando before coming up with a design that we believe reflects the best and most distinctive aspects of this community,” said Brad Clark, AIA, HOK Sport Senior Designer. “And just as importantly, the building will set a new standard in sustainable design as one of the greenest professional sports facilities in the country.”
To celebrate Central Florida’s moderate climate, the building will be filled with a variety of indoor-outdoor spaces. For instance, once guests enter the voluminous, 80-foot-tall main lobby, they will be able to return to the outdoors via a spacious balcony overlooking Church Street.
With an ultimate capacity of more than 20,000 seats, the arena was designed to respond to its distinct urban setting while revealing the activities occurring within. Bounded by Church Street, Hughey Avenue, South Street and Division Avenue, the arena’s primary entrance faces north to Church Street, creating a natural extension of the nearby downtown entertainment core. The Church Street entry will feature a large public entry plaza connecting the arena’s spacious entry lobby.
Local architecture firms C.T. Hsu + Associates and Baker Barrios Architects, Inc. are assisting HOK Sport with the arena’s design, with C.T. Hsu + Associates serving as exterior architecture consultant and Baker Barrios Architects serving as interior architecture consultant. Both firms were selected as part of the minority- and women-owned business initiative for the project. Minority- and women-owned architecture and engineering firms will comprise 31 percent of the design work.
“Our firm has a 25 year track record for designing facilities that have contributed to Central Florida’s evolution into a world class destination,” said C.T. Hsu, FAIA, LEED AP, managing principal of C.T. Hsu + Associates. “Our objective will be to create a first-class events center for the City of Orlando while advancing Mayor Dyer’s vision to revitalize the historic Parramore neighborhood.”
“This is our chance to create an Events Center celebrated by millions of visitors over the next few decades,” said Carlos Barrios, AIA, Baker Barrios Principal. “Our local knowledge of the environment in Orlando will help create an arena that is exciting, enticing and energetic for years to come.”
While sustainable design specifics will be finalized in the coming months, designers will focus on the opportunities to create an environmentally friendly building in various categories. The design and construction team will focus on creating a sustainable site; providing water efficiency; optimizing energy and atmosphere protection; conserving materials and resources; monitoring indoor environmental quality and health; and selecting environmentally preferred operations and maintenance. These elements will combine to create one of the most environmentally friendly, high performing professional arenas in the country.
Inside the arena, patrons will find modern amenities in a comfortable setting – perfect for hosting family events as well as basketball games. Concourses will be spacious, offering unique concessions and activities for kids and adults alike. The public bar on the main concourse will overlook the event floor, and children will enjoy spending time in the kid-oriented fun zone and retail store on the upper concourse.
With design plans unveiled, groundbreaking is scheduled for the summer of 2008.
About HOK Sport
HOK Sport is one of the world’s leading design firms – and the only firm in the world dedicated exclusively to the design of sporting venues. As designers of some of the world’s most identifiable sports and entertainment buildings, HOK Sport continues to define a building type which has played an increasing role in establishing the architectural fabric of modern cities. Their architects are the world’s finest and most experienced, drawing from the combined expertise of more than 825 projects with construction value exceeding $20 billion. HOK Sport’s client list is diverse and comprehensive; it includes 24 Major League Baseball franchises, 30 NFL franchises, 80 professional and civic arena clients, 40 soccer and rugby teams and 120 colleges and universities. The firm has received more than 200 design awards, including three national design awards from the American Institute of Architects. With offices in Brisbane, Australia; London, England; Nashville, Tennessee; Knoxville, Tennessee; Denver, Colorado; and Kansas City, Missouri, their reach is worldwide.
About the Orlando Magic & New Events Center
Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic is the developer of the new Events Center which will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows. Opening in September 2010, the facility will be operated by the City of Orlando and owned by the Central Florida Community. The Events Center is part of a public building program which also includes a new Performing Arts Center and a renovation to the Citrus Bowl Stadium.
On an annual basis the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programming impacts an estimated 75,000 kids annually. Over the last 18 years, more than $13 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. OMYF, a fund of the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation, focuses on helping every child in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at risk, by supporting programs and partnerships that empower families and change lives. Ticket highlights for 2007-08 include: a franchise-most 8,417 seats priced $25 or under per game; A $25 lower bowl ticket; and for the 10th straight year tickets priced at $10 per game. For ticket information log on to orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC. Through NBA CARES, the league, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years.
