SPORTS PORTFOLIO
A sampling of sports projects on which Kansas City-based firm 360 Architecture has done design work:
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., the $1.7 billion home of New York's two NFL teams, the Giants and Jets
Basrah Sports City, a multi-use complex in Iraq that includes soccer stadiums
Proposed arena in Seattle, which is attempting to lure the NBA's Sacramento Kings
Rebuilding of Husky Stadium, the University of Washington's football stadium
Auburn Arena, Auburn University's basketball facility
(Sources: 360 Architecture website, published reports)
CONTINUING COVERAGE
Since talk of a new Falcons stadium surfaced several years ago, the AJC has been committed to covering the story for our readers. Today, we report on the latest development in the process of hiring an architect to design the stadium.
A Kansas City-based architecture firm that designed a new home for New York’s two NFL teams is the top choice to design Atlanta’s new retractable-roof stadium.
The Falcons and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority have chosen 360 Architecture as the “apparent awardee” of the lead architect job, according to a notice entered on the state’s procurement registry. That means negotiations on a fee and other terms will begin immediately. If a deal cannot be reached, the Falcons and the GWCCA would turn to their next choice, which was not named.
360 Architecture, one of five finalist firms interviewed by Falcons and GWCCA officials early this week, has been involved in designing a number of sports facilities around the world. Its highest profile project is 82,000-seat MetLife Stadium, which opened in 2010 in East Rutherford, N.J., as the shared home of the Giants and Jets.
The firm also has done design work on sports facilities ranging from a basketball arena at Auburn University to soccer stadiums in Iraq. It recently has worked on designs for a proposed NBA arena in Seattle.
The GWCCA, which is a state agency, and the Falcons hope to complete an agreement with an architect this month. A contract will require approval of the GWCCA board, next scheduled to meet April 30.
Citing requirements of the state procurement process, the GWCCA declined to comment Thursday beyond confirming the selection of 360 Architecture as the apparent awardee and the plan to begin negotiations with the firm.
360 Architecture did not respond to a request for comment. The application process stipulates that finalists not make public statements until a contract is completed.
Falcons and GWCCA officials turned their attention to hiring an architect after partial public funding of the stadium was approved last month by the Atlanta City Council and the board of Invest Atlanta, the city’s development authority.
The other four firms interviewed this week were Philadelphia-based EwingCole, Dallas-based HKS, Kansas City-based Populous and Atlanta-based tvsdesign (in partnership with Heery International and Gensler).
The Falcons have said designing the $1 billion stadium will take a year after an architect is hired. The stadium is slated to open in 2017.
The stadium will be built on the Georgia World Congress Center campus near the Georgia Dome, which will be demolished after the new facility opens. The preferred site is immediately south of the Dome but requires acquisition of property, including two churches. An alternative site is 1/2 mile north of the Dome.
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