On April 9, the Las Vegas Ballpark, home to the Las Vegas Aviators Triple-A baseball team, opened in Downtown Summerlin, Nev. The club and ballpark are wholly owned by Howard Hughes Corporation, which claims this is the first minor-league ballpark in the U.S. to be built within a master-planned community.
Summerlin, on the western rim of Las Vegas, has ranked among the country’s top-10 best-selling communities for two decades. Developed by Howard Hughes Corporation, it encompasses 22,500 acres where 100,000 residents live within 250 neighborhoods. There are 6,000 acres still available for growth. Downtown Summerlin is the city’s walkable urban center with has over 125 stores. Its newer buildings include the practice facility for the Las Vegas Golden Knights pro hockey franchise.
Summerlin drew more than 18 million visitors last year, and the new $150 million ballpark, with 8,200 fixed seats and a total capacity of 10,000, is expected to be another major attraction. The Aviators, which recently changed its name from the Las Vegas 51s, plays in the Pacific Coast League and is part of the Oakland Athletics system. Prior to opening its 37th season at Las Vegas Ballpark this spring, the team had been drawing at least 300,000 fans annually at its old home, Cashman Field.
“Tonight marks a dynamic new chapter for the community of Summerlin and its thriving downtown, which continues to grow as a vibrant destination for visitors throughout Nevada, and beyond,” said David Weinreb, CEO of Howard Hughes Corporation, during opening-day ceremonies that included Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak.
The $150 million ballpark is expected to attract even more people to Summerlin, which drew 18 million visitors last year. Image: Howard Hughes Corporation
Las Vegas Ballpark, which sits on 7.65 acres, was designed by HOK and built by a joint venture of AECOM Hunt and Penta Building Group. From groundbreaking, the stadium took about 13 months to complete. It includes 22 suites, 400 club-level seats and 350 party-deck seats. Howard Hughes Corporation claims that the Aviators are the first team in any sport with a home field that features 4Topps Premium Seating’s breathable AirFlow Mesh seats.
The ballpark also has the largest LED video screen in Minor League Baseball. The screen, designed by South Dakota-based Daktronics, is 31-ft high by 126-ft wide, with a 13-HD pixel layout. Two ribbon displays measure 3.5-ft high by 90-ft wide and feature a 15-HD pixel layout.
Related Stories
| Jun 20, 2014
Sterling Bay pulled on board for Chicago Old Main Post Office project
Sterling Bay Cos. and Bill Davies' International Property Developers North America partner up for a $500 million restoration of Chicago's Old Main Post Office
| Jun 18, 2014
Six World Cup stadiums have achieved LEED certification
In conjunction with the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that six World Cup stadiums have achieved LEED certification, including South America’s largest stadium, Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.
| Jun 18, 2014
Arup uses 3D printing to fabricate one-of-a-kind structural steel components
The firm's research shows that 3D printing has the potential to reduce costs, cut waste, and slash the carbon footprint of the construction sector.
| Jun 16, 2014
6 U.S. cities at the forefront of innovation districts
A new Brookings Institution study records the emergence of “competitive places that are also cool spaces.”
| Jun 12, 2014
Austrian university develops 'inflatable' concrete dome method
Constructing a concrete dome is a costly process, but this may change soon. A team from the Vienna University of Technology has developed a method that allows concrete domes to form with the use of air and steel cables instead of expensive, timber supporting structures.
| Jun 11, 2014
Esri’s interactive guide to 2014 World Cup Stadiums
California-based Esri, a supplier of GIS software, created a nifty interactive map that gives viewers a satellite perspective of Brazil’s many new stadiums.
| Jun 4, 2014
Construction team named for Atlanta Braves ballpark
A joint venture between Barton Malow, Brasfield & Gorrie, Mortenson Construction, and New South Construction will build the Atlanta Braves ballpark, which is scheduled to open in early 2017. Check out the latest renderings of the plan.
| Jun 2, 2014
Parking structures group launches LEED-type program for parking garages
The Green Parking Council, an affiliate of the International Parking Institute, has launched the Green Garage Certification program, the parking industry equivalent of LEED certification.
| May 29, 2014
7 cost-effective ways to make U.S. infrastructure more resilient
Moving critical elements to higher ground and designing for longer lifespans are just some of the ways cities and governments can make infrastructure more resilient to natural disasters and climate change, writes Richard Cavallaro, President of Skanska USA Civil.
| May 22, 2014
Just two years after opening, $60 million high school stadium will close for repairs
The 18,000-seat Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas, opened in 2012 to much fanfare. But cracks recently began to appear throughout the structure, causing to the school district to close the facility.