Steelers Stadium Design Unveiled
PITTSBURGH (June 1999)— The design for the Steelers new football stadium is nearly complete, and the team is prepared to give the public its first glimpse of what is expected to be one of the most spectacular football stadiums ever built.
Sketches for the 65,000-seat Steelers stadium were unveiled today at a press conference at Steelers headquarters at Three Rivers Stadium.
"We have worked hard to design a spectacular football stadium for our fans, one of which they will be proud and can enjoy for years to come," said Steelers vice president Arthur J. Rooney II. "In addition to being a great stadium for fans to watch football, we wanted the design to be distinctively Pittsburgh. We believe the current design accomplishes both objectives."
There will be many improvements in the new stadium compared to Three Rivers Stadium, according to Rooney, including many more seats on the lower level and along the sidelines, wider concourses, a greater number of restrooms, and a state-of-the-art scoreboard and sound system.
The new stadium will feature an open end at the south end zone, which will be accented by two towers and a plaza area providing vistas of the Point and Downtown. The plaza area allows the city to become a part of the stadium and game-day experience. The plaza and park are conceived of as an inviting public space that connects to the riverfront. Likewise, the south end zone towers and plaza will provide a dramatic new addition to the Northshore riverfront, which will be visible from Downtown, Point Park and Mt. Washington. The towers will be themed to represent both the industrial heritage of Pittsburgh and its future. Circulating throughout the towers will be interactive attractions in which fans can participate and enjoy.
In addition to football games, the facility will accommodate concerts and large public events. Another unique feature of the stadium will be the eastside concourse, which will be called "The Great Hall" and be themed around the Steelers, Pittsburgh Panthers and Western Pennsylvania football traditions. This area will contain a retail/entertainment component that can operate throughout the year and is accessible from outside and inside the stadium. This eastside location allows the retail area to function as a main entry facing future North Shore developments and Downtown. Elements such as a Steelers Store, Hall of Fame and/or theater, retail, restaurants, or other entertainment activities may be located in the area.
Anchored to the ground by a solid mass, conveying an image of strength and permanence, the stadium will gradually become more transparent as it progresses vertically to the facade. Forms and materials appear lighter, and there are more openings in the structure. Spectators and activities on the upper concourses will be visible from outside the stadium, and those spectators will have views of downtown and the surrounding areas. Steel will be a primary structural building material, incorporated as a contemporary expression of Pittsburgh.
The stadium will have a roof structure over the upper seating bowl, and some administrative functions will be housed at the facility full-time, including the ticket and marketing operations.
|
New
Steelers Stadium Fact Sheet
| Stadium
Timeline |
|
June
18, 1999
|
Groundbreaking |
| July
1999 |
Foundation
construction begins |
| January
2000 |
Steel construction begins |
| August
2001 |
Stadium
opening |
| General
Information/Facts |
| Owner: |
Sports
& Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County |
| Developer: |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Events: |
Pittsburgh Steelers Football |
|
University
of Pittsburgh Football |
|
Concerts |
|
Public
Assembly |
| Architect: |
HOK
Sports Facilities Group |
| Construction
Manager: |
Huber,
Hunt, & Nichols/Mascaro |
| Seating
Capacity: |
65,000
seats* |
| Club
Seating: |
6,600* |
| Luxury
Suites: |
1,500*
(127 suites) |
| Building
Square Footage: |
1.49
million sq. ft.** |
| Design
Features: |
South
End Plaza |
|
Great
Hall - retail/entertainment area |
|
Horseshoe
shaped stadium with south end open and on axis with Point State Park
|
| Number
of Club Lounges: |
One
on each end of the east and west sidelines, each designed as a three
story atrium space with a large bar, beverage kiosks, specialty food
stands and a video wall. Opportunities exist to convert the lounge
into banquet space for large or small gatherings. |
| Restroom
Facilities |
| Restroom
Facilities (Including Club): |
25 Women,
25 Men |
| Public
Restrooms: |
343
lavatories |
| Toilet
Fixtures: |
520
water closets |
|
344
urinals |
| Concessions
|
| Number
of Concession Stands: |
32 |
| Retail
Stores: |
Team
Store |
| Number
of Novelty Stands: |
9 novelty
stands |
| Locker
Rooms |
| Steelers: |
6,000
square feet (60 lockers) |
| Panthers: |
4,600
square feet (95 lockers) |
| Visiting
NFL Lockers: |
2,600
square feet (60 lockers) |
| Visiting
College Lockers: |
2,600
square feet (60 lockers) |
| Vertical
Transportation |
| Elevators: |
7 passenger
elevators |
|
2 freight
elevators |
| Escalators: |
2 |
| Pedestrian
Ramps: |
4 |
| First
Aid |
Minimum
1 on each level |
| Audio/Video |
| Television
Sets: |
over
400 |
| Video
Walls: |
2 |
| Scoreboard
Video Display: |
48 feet
x 27 feet minimum |
|
96 feet
x 27 feet expansion capability |
| Playing
Field |
| Natural
Grass Playing Surface: |
2.04
acres (excluding warming track) |
| Sideline
to First Row Spectator: |
60
feet |
| End
Zone to First Row Spectator: |
25 feet |
| Heated |
| Converts
Between College/NFL Field Requirements |
| Construction
Details |
| Cast
in Place Concrete: |
48,000
cubic yards |
| Amount
of Structural Steel: |
12,000
tons |
| Augercast
Piles: |
10,442
lineal feet |
| Number
of Doors: |
1100 |
| Miles
of Railings: |
7 miles |
| Drainage,
Irrigation and Heating Pipes Under the Field: |
1.85
miles |
| Truck
Docks: |
4 |
| Trash/Recycle
Docks: |
2 |
|
Directions to Heinz Field
FROM THE AIRPORT:
Take Route 60 South toward Pittsburgh that turns into I-279 through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Keep to the left after exiting tunnel and merge left to cross Fort Duquesne Bridge. Exit to left (EXIT 7A) after crossing bridge turn left onto Allegheny Avenue and follow to North Shore Drive, which circles Heinz Field. (During construction please follow detour signs for 279N and then signs for North Shore.)
FROM 279 PARKWAY NORTH:
Follow I-279 South to the North Shore Exit (Heinz Field/PNC Park). Follow Reedsdale to the second traffic light and make left onto Allegheny Avenue and follow North Shore Drive, which circles Heinz Field.
FROM TURNPIKE:
Take the Monroeville Exit- head toward Pittsburgh. You will be on I Ð 376. Follow I-376 to North Shore ramp onto Fort Duquesne Boulevard. Keep to the left and merge left to cross Fort Duquesne Bridge. Exit to left (EXIT 7A) after crossing bridge and turn left onto Allegheny Avenue and follow North Shore Drive, which circles Heinz Field.
THE ULTIMATE SPORTS ROAD TRIP
By: Andrew Kulyk & Peter Farrell
| Heinz Field Ranking by USRT |
| Architecture |  | 6.5 |
| Concessions | | 9 |
| Scoreboard | | 6.5 |
| Ushers | | 6 |
| Fan Support | | 9 |
| Location | | 6 |
| Banners/History | | 9.5 |
| Entertainment | | 7.5 |
| Concourses/Fan Comfort | | 6 |
| Bonus: Tailgate Scene | | 3 |
| Bonus: Coca Cola Great Hall | | 3 |
| Bonus: Red Zone Scoreboard | | 1 |
| Total Score |  | 73 |
October 29, 2001 - Along with PNC Park, Heinz Field in Pittsburgh is the newest addition to the bustling Pittsburgh skyline, and what an addition it is! After playing for over three decades at Three Rivers Stadium, the Steelers followed the trend among their peer NFL teams in erecting a new venue with all the bells and whistles, amenities, club seating, and judging from our visit, they got it right! Opened just two months ago, Heinz Field now serves as the home stadium for the Steelers as well as the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team.
Heinz Field is located along the Ohio River on the riverfront, just a few hundred yards from the doorstep of PNC Park and directly across the river is the magnificent Pittsburgh skyline. Separating the two new venues is the site where Three Rivers once stood, now demolished and turned into parking, although some parcels are part of the "North Shore" development which will include an amphitheatre and office park. The land adjacent to the river has already been developed into a pleasant riverwalk and attractive parklike setting.
Getting to the Stadium
We had to search hard to find fault with Heinz Field, but the one and only criticism would be the difficult parking situation. Following the trend in newer NFL venues, the surface parking immediately around the stadium is sold to season ticket holders. Gold parking, platinum parking, yadda yadda.... if the face value of your ticket breaks three figures, you get the chance to buy a space closer to the building. Own a suite? Parking and a shoe shine! Just kidding here, but again, the single ticket buyer is left to fend for himself. In proximity to the stadium are many private surface lots, but many of those have been scooped up by a municipal parking authority, and even these lots are sold on a season ticket basis. So what is a person to do? Our advice - get down real early (we arrived 4 hours before kickoff to tailgate and hang out with Steeler fans and found a private lot real close - $20 to park). Or park downtown and cross the Clemente Bridge, but that is a long, long walk. Or park at Station Square, and catch the Clipper ferry boat, which docks steps from the Gate A main entrance to Heinz Field.
To the Steelers credit, they are well aware of the parking crunch, and publish maps of parking lots, traffic patterns, and an elaborate guide laying out parking options and strategies to get their fans to the stadium.
Outside the Venue
Tailgating is a great Pittsburgh tradition, and on past visits here we were impressed to see the folks tailgating here for Pirates baseball games. So no doubt that the grills were in abundance, the Iron City Beer on ice, stereos blaring, and fans out here just having a great time. Here in a downtown setting, in the shadows of the skyline these Steelers fans can tailgate with the best of them!
Heinz Field itself is configured in the shape of the horseshoe, with the south end completely open except for a large scoreboard. This does two things - from the outside the open end serves as a main entrance, with a massive public plaza both outside and inside the gates and a grand staircase leading down to the riverwalk and the ferry dock. All handsomely landscaped and very appealing to the eye, of course. From the inside, fans sitting in their seats are treated to a spectacular view of the river and downtown Pittsburgh.
The Concourses
OK, here is where things get really good. The Steelers have done an outstanding job erecting public spaces which are large, wide and functional. Walking through gate A you stand in a gigantic public plaza in the south end zone with a nice view of the field. On either side are circular canopied ramps to take you upstairs, mimicking the architecture of similar type ramps over at PNC Park. In the center of these curly ramps are escalator towers to whisk you upstairs. The sideline concourses are also wide, brightly lit, and easy to navigate, with points of sale strategically placed so as not to impede traffic.
It was the east concourse on the main level, named the "Coca Cola Great Hall", which just totally blew us away in terms of its architecture, ambience, lighting and displays. We will try to describe it for you here, but we have to advise you to go see this for yourself.
The Coca Cola Great Hall straddles the 100 level concourse on the east side of stadium, and ceiling canopies and banners way up high are colored in bright reds, oranges and yellows, with mood lighting adding to the effect. Four of the center posts are shaped as massive Vince Lombardi trophies, and each one of these posts have showcases displaying the actual trophies and memorabilia commemorating the Steelers four world championships. Large murals hang overhead with faces of Steelers greats and great moments in the teams history. Keep looking and you will find old photos of Pittsburgh streetscapes, industry, downtown shots, Forbes Field. And yes, there is space devoted to Pitt Panthers memorabilia as well. We're certain that the names of Marino and Dorsett ring a bell along with the legacy of nine national titles. Heard enough? There's more... Near the fifty yard line is a three tiered bleacher area configured in a semi circle, centered by a stage where pre game entertainment is offered. Adjacent is a large bar area and sandwich carving station, and of course concession areas offering a multitude of food choices adds to the mix. TV monitors are everywhere, so you don't miss a second of the action.
What a totally amazing, mind blowing public space in a football venue!!! Easily the best we have seen. Of course we headed down from our seats mid 2nd quarter to grab a Primanti sandwich, found seats in the bleachers and just enjoyed our food and people watching right through halftime. We could not get enough of soaking in the atmosphere and the ambience!
Premium Seating
As is the case with today's NFL venues, Heinz Field offers a 200 level along the sidelines with its own private, climate enclosed concourse. Two levels of suites top the club level, each with its own concourse. To give you an idea of prices, some fans we hung out with before the game had club tickets --- face value, $195. And these weren't even the top priced seats!!! Digest that, oh Buffalo fan!
The Seating Bowl
With about 65,000 total seats, the seating bowl is broken into three levels. All seats are done in team colors - lower and upper level seats bright yellow, and the club seats black. Straddling the sideline balconies are synchronized changable ad panels, while the north end zone balcony boasts our favorite - a digital LED ad panel with great graphics and special effects. In the south end zone is a huge jumbotron scoreboard. Here in Pittsburgh they only have one scoreboard, rather than the two boards which are going up in venues elsewhere. But mind you, there are hardly any seats at all in this end zone, so the one scoreboard can be easily viewed from just about every seat in the venue. We should also mention that atop the jumbotron board are two large bottles of "Heinz" ketchup. Each time the home team enters the "Red" zone, these bottles tip slightly and pour "ketchup" onto the scoreboard in a unique special effect. Thumbs up from us!
Another wonderful aspect of the seating area is the breathtaking view of the Pittsburgh skyline. Just like PNC Park, the view of this magnificent city can best be seen from the East sideline seating areas as well as from the rotundas in the open endzone and with this being Monday evening the sights of the city were amazing!!!!
Concessions
"Pittsburgh sideline store", offering Steelers souvenirs and merchandise were scattered throughout the stadium, the main one found, of course, in the "Great Hall". Pittsburgh food items are awesome, and just as at PNC Park, we have to again mention that great "Primanti Brothers" sandwich, offering a conconction of meat, cole slaw and french fries all slapped together on sourdough bread. Some of the locals suggested we check out the original Primanti deli in the Strip District to get a taste of the real thing. Great advice.. we will head down there on a future visit!
Besides Primantis, other local favorites include Benkovitz and Quaker Steak and Lube (wings) found in the Great Hall. Add the traditional ballpark fare, and you have a great mix here. Outstanding!
Banners/Retired Numbers
While no banners or numbers are displayed in the seating bowl itself, the Steelers more than make up for this in their elaborate historical presentation in the "Great Hall". Five Super Bowl appearances - four championships, and tributes to the Steelers greats - Rooney, McNally, Layne, Stautner, Greene, Ham, Blount, Bradshaw, Harris, Lambert, Noll, Webster, Swann, among others, all displayed in this stadium for all eternity. Awesome, awesome, awesome!
Touchdowns/Extra Points/Fumbles
Touchdown - The Steelers "Great Hall", by far the nicest concourse in the NFL. Hey Tampa Bay, Pirate ship is OUT; Great Hall is IN! Yo Ho!
Fumble - tight seats. Our seats were 50 yard line upper deck, and while leg room was adequate, the shoulder space was very tight. OK, OK, spend more time on the treadmill and less time at the Primantis stand... message received!
Fumble - single ticket sales. Tickets are in high demand here, and only about 2500 tickets are available to the single ticket buyer. In this day and age of technology and the internet, the Steelers still do things like it's the 60's, send in a check and a self addressed stamped envelope after so and so date with your game request. We struck out via this route, and went elsewhere in search of precious tickets.
Extra Point - as in FedEx Field, they also trucked out "Lovin You", but that music clip blended right into "Who Let the Dogs Out". Apparently that goofy stadium worker in the VISA ad finally got a hold of the track. Of course the fans ate it up. With the pummeling that Kordell and the Steelers put onto the Titans on this night, everyone was in a pretty festive mood.
Touchdown - Throughout the stadium at each entrance to the seating area is a unique ceramic tiled football mural by the children of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Each mural is identified by the name and location of the contributing school. Very well done!
Extra Point - HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!!! The Steelers pummeled the Oilers...errr...Titans on this night by a 34-7 count and it wasn't that close. Coupled with the 'Skins victory over the Giants on the previous day, the win gave the roadtrippers a three game win streak for the home teams and six of the last seven overall. Next stop, Invesco Field at Mile High....bad news for all of you Flutie freaks out there!!!
Special Thanks!
Thank you goes to Diane Lambert of Trenton, New Jersey, Steelers season ticket holder, who worked out a trade with us (2 Bills tickets for 2 Steeler tickets) and that is how we got into the building on this night. Diane even went to the trouble of contacting friends to upgrade the tickets and get us a better view. Hey Diane - great seats! Thank you and we induct you into the Ultimate Sports Road Trip Hall of Fame.
Thanks also to the numerous friendly Pittsburgh fans who invited us to join their tailgate as we walked around, handing us a cold IC Light and offering us food, conversation and some friendly Buff vs Pitt banter (Darius Kasparaitis, game 7... Flutie... on and on). It was all good fun!
Summary
As is the case with their companion facility - Pittsburgh's PNC Park, the folks here in Pittsburgh went to great lengths to build a stadium which is beautiful, functional, pays great attention to detail, blends in with the surroundings, and showcases their proud traditions and history. Heinz Field is all that and more - this stadium takes advantage of its location near the river, its proximity to downtown, and blends these into their building to provide sweeping vistas from inside and out. Add the size and width of common areas, the decor, the architecture, the extra touches and the amenities, and that adds to the score. Lastly, those great Steelers fans, blue collar, gritty, so proud of their football team and so cognizant of their great legacy and traditions. They just love their Steelers and they let you know it. You know what's coming... as we described this venue to you we could not contain our enthusiasm. Without a doubt, Heinz Field ranks right up there among the NFL's elite. And combined with PNC Park, this area surpasses Baltimore and KC as the finest dual Stadium complex in pro sports. (Though D-town may provide some tough competition when Ford Field opens next September). We are proud to once again bestow our highest rating to the City of Pittsburgh... nice job!
