$450M Superdome Renovation Renderings Unveiled
Architectural renderings for the planned renovation of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans were unveiled Thursday and it looks spectacular.
The plans were revealed after the Superdome Commission officially approved the first phase of the $450 million stadium makeover.
The renovations will include replacement of the current ramp system as well as improved concourses to accommodate vendors and field-level end zone boxes.
Work will begin early next year, after either the College Football Playoff Championship Game on Jan. 13 or the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 19. The work will continue through the start of the 2023-24 season.
Trahan Architects is the design firm for the renovation and they released renderings yesterday. The firm has been working on the project for more than a year.
The first phase is estimated to cost as much as $100 million and will be "the enabling phase" consisting of back-of-house work that won't be noticed much by fans.
The more exciting features will get constructed starting in 2021.
One of the major noticeable features will be three new vertical atriums at the northeast, northwest and southeast corners of the stadium.
"These will be beautiful vertical spaces with escalators that move diagonally. People will arrive at these corners as opposed to the enclosed ramps on the sidelines that are in place now," architect Trey Trahan said.
Another major feature will be end zone field boxes "that will allow you a very unique experience of the game, embedded under the general seats, so that you almost feel like you're on the field," Trahan said.
The financing of the project took years of haggling to get final approval.
Under the terms of the financial deal, though, the Saints have agreed to fund a third of the project costs, or up to about $150 million. The Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (aka, the Superdome Commission) will fund $210 million through issuing bonds while the state would cover the remaining $90 million if needed.