Renderings of the Jacksonville Jaguars “stadium of the future” were released by the NFL team and Iguana Investments, detailing development in the stadium area and a futuristic design for a renovated TIAA Bank Field.
The renovated stadium is envisioned as a 62,000-seat facility, expandable to 71,500 for a college football game and more for a concert, with much of the new stadium located on an expanded footprint. The visual highlight of the renovated stadium includes a new large shade canopy billed as reducing heat retention under the hot Florida sun by more than 70 percent, lowering temperatures 10 to 15 degrees and protecting fans from the inevitable late-afternoon storms. A fritted roof membrane lets in dispersed ambient light throughout the stadium interior.
The façade is raised at the northern and southern ends to optimize airflow, enabling passive cooling throughout the stadium. Signature items like the two stadium pools will still be part of the design, as the distinctive end-zone videoboards.
The venue can transform its appearance through lighting and digital technology that will create distinctive game-day experiences while ensuring that fans stay connected.
The 360-degree concourse, four times wider than before, will feature interactive social bars and more. The concourse is elevated 30 feet above the ground, offering expansive views for Downtown Jacksonville and the St. Johns River.
The new stadium design addresses key fan requests, including a 185-percent increase in main concourse surface area, a 260-percent increase in upper concourse surface area, 360-degree connectivity in the upper concourse, 13 new elevators and 32 new escalators to support vertical movement, 220 new food and beverage points of sale and 14 new restrooms.
Renderings courtesy 1st DownTown Jacksonville.
The total cost of the project has been estimated in various circles as exceeding $2 billion, with $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion expected for the stadium enhancements.
“We have reached the end of this important and initial phase of this project, the design of the stadium we envision will be the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars and serve our entire community for generations to come,” said Jaguars team owner Shad Khan via press release. “From stadium discussions starting in 2016 to the formal process launched in July 2020 and now concluding, our objective has always been the same – lock in a promising future for the Jaguars and help our downtown become an economic engine to lift all of Jacksonville, particularly areas that have been underserved. Being able to share the video and stadium design highlights with the people of Jacksonville is a significant step forward in that effort.
“This is also all happening at a fantastic time for everyone. Jacksonville is red hot. Just check out all of the recent rankings — best places to live, best housing market, hottest job market, best place to start a business, Jacksonville ranks within the top five in all of those lists. Add the fact the Jaguars are coming off a playoff season, and positioned for even better days ahead, and it all points to better and hopefully our best days just ahead in Jacksonville.”
After its selection as architect for the project team, HOK’s Sports + Recreation + Entertainment practice then collaborated with the Jaguars on turning concepts into more definitive renovation plans. The project team includes Impact Development and Management as the owner’s representative, with AECOM Hunt and Barton Malow serving in the role of preconstruction manager.
“This transformation transcends the stadium’s boundaries. The design creates an iconic, accessible community nexus that ties together the surrounding neighborhoods and riverfront,” said Peter Broeder, HOK’s design principal, via press release. “The venue will celebrate Jacksonville’s natural landscape and climate, offering a park-like ambiance enriched by the latest amenities, engaging social spaces and state of the art technology. This unprecedented project will position Jacksonville as a premier destination for top-tier sports and entertainment events for decades to come.”
Still to come: a financial plan and a timeline. The project can be completed in two years if the Jags play elsewhere, or four years if construction shuts down during the NFL season.
