create that hole in the center of the roof to house
the scoreboard but also have significant structural
elements running alongside it. That actually created
a really efficient structural depth for the roof as well,”
says Magnusson Klemencic’s Henderson. When the
scoreboard is fully enveloped into the roof, gantry
grids slide across the opening and concert rigging
can easily be hung from them.
“The idea that a videoboard can retract into the roof
is not entirely new. But no other board can fully retract
like this with rigging available underneath,” says project
manager William Hon of David Manica Architecture.
Premium options
The Chase Center follows two growing trends in
stadium premium seating, where there is an increasing
variety of spaces and added emphasis on combining
private suites with adjacent clubs. Here, there are
traditional suites, but also a mix of offerings that
combine court proximity with private and shared
spaces. Premium spaces were given extra attention
to compensate for the higher than average land and
arena cost. “We have been able to secure more than
US$1bn in income from suite leases,” says Welts.
“Those numbers are unprecedented in the industry
for a new stadium or arena.”
At the same time, the seating design is set up
to offer more than just a single seat, with club
and other viewing options beyond on offer at a wide
range of price points.
“We have 15 different products in the building for
an 18,000-seat seat venue. The diversity of experience
is probably above and beyond anything that’s ever been
done,” says Jonathan Emmett, a principal with Gensler,
which partnered with Manica Architecture to work
on the stadium’s interior. “No matter what the seating
type, whether general admission or premium, it was
important to craft a unique experience so it really
does offer something for everybody.”
Within premium seating particularly, Emmett
adds that “courtside lounges and suites, and the theater
boxes create social spaces. You also have box seats that
come with a dining table in a shared lounge space.
Communal experience is the trend these days.”
While the site also houses the team’s practice
facilities, as well as its administrative offices, to
help pay for the site and add density sought by San
Francisco planning officials, there are two office
buildings on-site and adjacent to the arena. Both
buildings are now to be occupied by Uber, the ridehailing
app. This, in turn, helps support the added
retail that is woven into the whole site.
“Having food and beverage really opens up to
the street, and these esplanade spaces that invite the
neighborhood in is a big part of the success of knitting
into the fabric of the city,” Emmett says. “Obviously,
these shops are a big part of the gameday experience,
but many of these arenas and stadia create a very dark,
closed-off condition when there’s not an event going
on. Wrapping the entire building in retail allows that
street condition to be activated.” n
Photos: Jason O’Rear and Chase Center
CHASE CENTER
(Above) Chase Center’s array of
dining areas include (clockwise
from top left) the JP Morgan
Club, Modelo Cantina, Chase
Club and United Airlines Club
24 www.stadia-magazine.com Showcase 2020
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