American football team Jacksonville Jaguars has partnered with architecture firm HOK to unveil the designs of its forthcoming ‘Stadium of the Future,’ poised to transform the entire Downtown Jacksonville region in Northeast Florida.
Development of the stadium began all the way back in July 2020, when an assessment of the team’s current home determined that constructing a completely new facility wasn’t needed in favor of an overhaul of the existing location.
The new design draws inspiration from the city’s lush greenery, including its greenways, parklands, beaches, and marshes. To capture the essence of Florida, fans will enter the site through a subtropical park leading into the main concourse.
Intriguingly, the 360-degree concourse, four times the size of the current one, will be elevated 30 feet off the ground, allowing visitors to get a picturesque view of Downtown Jacksonville and the St Johns River.
Overall, the seating bowl will allow for 62,000 spectators with the option of expanding up to 71,500 seats for college football games and even larger for concerts. In terms of sustainability, the stadium will feature a first-of-its-kind mirrored material for its façade.
This will allow it to reflect the Jacksonville waterfront. Together with a large shade canopy, the site will reduce heat retention by over 70%, lowering temperatures within its confines 10 to 15 degrees so fans can be shielded from inclement weather.
“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.
“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.”