Arena court concept
Chris Hansen's investment team has released the first images of what the new sports arena in the SoDo neighborhood could look like. (Seattle Dept. of Planning and Development)

First concepts of Seattle's new arena released

BY Stephanie Klein  on November 16, 2012 @ 11:23 am (Updated: 2:18 pm - 11/16/12 )

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Chris Hansen's investment team has released the first images of what the new sports arena in the SoDo neighborhood could look like.

The images don't depict a specific design for Seattle, but are the design plans for a typical sports arena.

"This graphic depicts a prototypical design of a multi-purpose sports arena. It is intended to display functions, spaces and circulation within a prototypical arena building. It does not represent a design for plan for the proposed Seattle Arena."

While that's not as exciting as looking at images with Sonics banners and 'Squatch's Seat' on them, there are a few big ideas obviously being discussed.

For instance, we get to see what the neighborhood would look like with the addition of the arena. It'll sit on the corner of 1st Ave. S. and S. Holgate St. and covers about two city blocks. It appears it'll take out at least six existing buildings.

Three of the four example arenas, American Airlines Arena in Miami, AT&T Center in San Antonio, FedEx Forum in Memphis, and the Rose Garden in Portland, include practice facilities. The footprint in the SoDo images also appears to make room for a practice facility.

The images also depict options for switching an NBA court over to an NHL rink, and then into a concert floor.

While the images aren't earth-shattering, it sure is fun to dream.

Stephanie Klein, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Stephanie joined the MyNorthwest.com team in February 2008. She has built the site into a two-time National Edward R. Murrow Award winner (Best Radio Website 2010, 2012).
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Comments (11)


  • Add A Comment

  • Country_Dog wrote...
    It doesn't have a roof on it
    November 16, 2012 11:46 am
    Don't engineers know it rains alot out here?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dizzle wrote...
    Wow...
    November 16, 2012 12:39 pm
    A court surrounded by a bunch of seats.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rayvensdad wrote...
    Dizzie...
    November 16, 2012 10:48 pm
    Was thinking the same thing. "First concepts of Seattle's new areana"... well I'm glad they've got the right sport.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • lockman wrote...
    re: country dog
    November 16, 2012 1:29 pm
    “ Country_Dog”. You can’t be this dumb. Can you? It is called a rendering. How impressive would it be if they showed you a picture of a roof? Engineers lead the way!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • snikkers wrote...
    Lockman....
    November 16, 2012 1:36 pm
    I think you may have missed the sarcasm, which is easy to do in print. I've got a bit of smart aleck (sp) in me and the first thing I thought of was "oh great another venue with a retractable roof." Sure you can't think we're serious with these comments/thoughts?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nickatnyt wrote...
    sar·casm/ˈsärˌkazəm/
    November 16, 2012 1:53 pm
    Noun: "witty language used to convey insults or scorn"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    HA!
    November 16, 2012 2:35 pm
    The text in the graphic actually SAYS that it "does NOT represent a design or plan for the new Seattle arena." Another misleading headline, I guess,huh, MYNW?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • grow up/get real wrote...
    By the time it is finally built . . .
    November 16, 2012 3:25 pm
    it will be deemed "inadequate" by the NBA. You gotta love this game!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    When do "we" investment group
    November 16, 2012 3:40 pm
    get to put up "our" plan for an area? It's my tax money.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • yummy sardine wrote...
    Slow down!
    November 16, 2012 4:02 pm
    send these blueprints over to the longshoreman's union for approval please.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wrsawy12 wrote...
    uhhh
    November 16, 2012 6:59 pm
    They will build it, in ten years it will be deemed "obsolete" and NOT acceptable by NBA standards. In order to meet the increasing and inflating player salaries they will have to re-locate to Kansis City. They will eventually blow it up, only to be replaced by brand new warehouses owned by various cupcake companies. I remember 1995 - Key arena was "re-built" and called STATE of the ART by Stern and his buddies. Ten years later they said it doesn't meet NBA standards.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }