Foundation work has begun on the $250 million, 26,500-seat West End Stadium in Cincinnati, which when it opens in 2021 will be home to FC Cincinnati, the city’s Major League Soccer franchise.
According to the Cincinnati Inquirer, FC Cincinnati is building its stadium close to downtown in a poor, historically black neighborhood that’s going through a gentrification phase.
Turner Construction in partnership with a local firm Jostin Construction is building the horseshoe-shape stadium. MEIS Architects did the original design of the stadium, and Populous was brought in to make refinements and changes that included expanding the stadium’s canopy to cover every seat.
In response to community objections, Populous has toned down the bright orange lighting initially proposed for the stadium’s roof and exterior. Instead, the building’s wave-like façade now has 513 vertical fins, individually lighted with LEDs to create special effects. FC Cincinnati claims that West End will be the only stadium in the world with this specific feature.
LED lights attached to the tip of 513 fins will light up the facade of West End Stadium, and create opportunities for visual effects. Image: Populous
Working with Populous, Buro Happold, the project’s structural engineer, incorporated extensive public plaza space and a grand entry with a staircase rising 30 feet from the Central Parkway. The wrap-around seating bowl will have a dedicated 3,100-seat safe-standing zone and steeply pitched upper mezzanine. Fifty-nine suite boxes will be located above the main seating area, allowing for continuous fan seating and unobstructed sightlines. The closest seat in the stadium will be only 15 ft from the 110-yard-long field.
“The plans for West End Stadium demonstrate how structural design is intrinsically tied to a core goal of any entertainment project—fostering an atmosphere of excitement,” says Phil Skellorn, one of BuroHappold’s sports and entertainment practice leaders.
The West End Stadium project dates back to the team’s bid for an MLS expansion franchise in 2016; Cincinnati was on a short list of three expansion cities, and was chosen in early 2018. As part of a land swap with the Cincinnati Public Schools, West End Stadium is located on the site where Taft High School’s football stadium once stood.
FC Cincinnati will play at Nippert Stadium, a football venue on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, until its new facility opens. The team continues to seek a sponsor for the new stadium’s naming rights.
Related Stories
Building Team Awards | May 23, 2016
'Greenest ballpark' proves a winner for St. Paul Saints
Solar arrays, a public art courtyard, and a picnic-friendly “park within a park" make the 7,210-seat CHS Field the first ballpark to meet Minnesota sustainable building standards.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 20, 2016
Texas Rangers announce plans for $1 billion retractable roof ballpark
The new stadium will replace Globe Life Park, which is only 22 years old.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 19, 2016
Audacy brings wireless lighting controls to Wrigley Field’s new clubhouse
The Audacy system uses a combination of motion sensors, luminaire controllers, light sensors, and switches that are all connected and coordinated by Gateways.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 6, 2016
NBA’s Atlanta Hawks to build new practice center with attached medical facilities
The team will have easy access to an MRI machine, 3D motion capture equipment, and in-ground hydrotherapy.
BIM and Information Technology | May 2, 2016
How HDR used computational design tools to create Omaha's UNO Baxter Arena
Three years after writing a white paper about designing an arena for the University of Nebraska Omaha, HDR's Matt Goldsberry says it's time to cherry-pick the best problem-solving workflows.
Mixed-Use | May 1, 2016
A man-made lagoon with a Bellagio-like fountain will be the highlight of a mixed-use project outside Dallas
Construction will soon begin on housing, retail, and office spaces.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 17, 2016
An expanded and renovated complex brings together U. of Colorado’s sports programs
This two-year project enhances the experiences of athletes and fans alike.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 13, 2016
Cubs take a measured approach when planning HD video boards
Along with the mammoth and super-sharp video boards, Wrigley Field's 1060 Project includes renovated bleachers, upgraded player amenities, and more concourses, decks, and concessions.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 13, 2016
More than a game: 4 ways sports teams are adapting to changing fan preferences
As the cost of tickets, parking, and concessions skyrockets, while home theater technology becomes more affordable, fans wonder: Why even bother going to the game? Here’s how progressive sports owners and Building Teams are packing stadium seats.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 11, 2016
Chicago Cubs continue Wrigley Field renovations with new clubhouse
The team found 30,000 sf of space underneath an old parking lot, nearly tripling the size of the old clubhouse.