NFL American football franchise the New England Patriots has today (Friday) unveiled plans for Gillette Stadium’s biggest revamp since its opening in 2002, including improvements to its signature view and the introduction of the country’s largest outdoor stadium video board.
Beginning in early 2022, construction will focus on the north end of the stadium. The project will feature a completely reimagined plaza leading into the stadium, including a new and enhanced lighthouse.
The architectural bridge and lighthouse have served as the stadium’s signature view. The Patriots said the new development will feature a much bigger, more prominent lighthouse, standing 218-feet high, complete with a 360-degree observation deck at the top, providing sweeping views of the stadium, the game field, Patriot Place and beyond. This “one-of-a-kind observation deck” will be accessible to fans visiting Gillette Stadium year-round and available for private events.
The renovation will include the largest outdoor stadium high-definition video board in the US, measuring 370′ x 60′. The 22,200 square feet of video board space will be nearly double the size of the new south end zone video board, which debuted in July. The curved radius HD video board will provide game action, replays, statistics and fantasy football updates.
In Gillette Stadium’s first 20 years, the Kraft family invested more than $300m (£226.9m/€266m) on stadium enhancements. The Patriots said the new project, including the south end zone improvements made last offseason, will total an additional $225m investment. The construction is scheduled for completion prior to the 2023 NFL season.
The transformation of the north end of Gillette Stadium will be defined by 75,000-square feet of glass-enclosed year-round hospitality and function spaces that seek to bridge the gap between the East and West Putnam Clubs, the Dell Technologies Suite Levels and the upper concourse. All levels of the stadium will have 360-degree connectivity, a feature that is currently only available on the main concourse.
The fan entrance into the north end of Gillette Stadium will also be revitalised. Plans for this area include relocating the entry gates to create a new fan-activation area upon entry to the lower plaza. A landscaped staircase will lead guests up to the main concourse, where fans will have a view of the field looking toward the south end zone video board and the Patriots’ six Super Bowl banners.
“The Kraft family has kept the Gillette Stadium fan experience ahead of the constantly changing landscape with continued improvements, additions and renovations over the past 20 years,” Jen Ferron, chief marketing officer of Kraft Sports + Entertainment, told the Patriots’ official website.
“This renovation project, coupled with other recent enhancements, will continue to set Gillette Stadium apart from other venues.
“We are thrilled to break ground on the most dramatic site improvements to date. This project readies Gillette Stadium for the next 20 years.”
Images: New England Patriots
