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Global architecture and engineering firm HOK has been selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars to oversee a proposed redevelopment of the NFL team’s home stadium, TIAA Bank Field.
No official announcement has been made, but Jaguars president Mark Lamping confirmed the agreement to the VenuesNow website. HOK also told local news outlet News4JAX that it is working with the Jaguars.
The team has been holding talks with the City of Jacksonville over a potential redevelopment of the stadium. The Jaguars’ current lease deal to play at TIAA Bank Field is due to expire in 2030, and reports last year claimed that the team had commenced a search for an architect to present the city with a concept for a revamped stadium.
HOK has emerged as the preferred architect, with VenuesNow noting that it was selected ahead of seven other firms. Lamping confirmed to the website that the Jaguars’ proposals for TIAA Bank Field include lowering the stadium’s fixed-seat capacity from 68,000 to between 57,500 and 60,000.
The plans, which are still at an early stage, would also include a shade roof covering the seating bowl of the stadium. Although Lamping did not disclose financial terms of any project, VenuesNow, citing industry sources, said renovations could cost as much as $1bn (£841m/€949m).
Lamping said: “This is not a project yet. We wanted to be in a place where we knew what the renovated stadium could look like and how you renovate while still trying to play NFL games. We’re in a good spot. If we do go forward, we will essentially end up with a new stadium built on the existing structure.”
A HOK spokesperson confirmed to News4JAX that it had been selected to work with the Jaguars but “could not provide additional details on the design at this time”.
HOK also designed Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United. The firm also worked with the Miami Dolphins on a major redevelopment of Hard Rock Stadium.
TIAA Bank Field is set to take on a new moniker following an announcement from TIAA in November. TIAA said it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell TIAA Bank to new investors, which will lead to the name change.
The Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills are also planning new stadiums, with both projects securing important backing at last month’s NFL meetings.
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