Spider – Maybe if we are lucky…

It was announced today in the Orlando Sentinel that the Orlando Magic have chosen HOK to be the principle architect for the new arena/events center for the city. This is an excellent first step by both the Magic and the city. HOK is a leader in not only eco-friendly sports venues but some of the most innovative and exciting parks and arenas in sports. HOK made a name for themselves when they designed Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

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They have gone on to do other sites such as PNC Park in Pittsburgh,

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Reliant Stadium in Houston,

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and the Philips Arena in Atlanta.

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They also did the Bank of America Stadium in my hometown of Charlotte.

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They are in the process of building the Sprint Center in Kansas City.

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If we could get something half as exciting as these facilities in Orlando, what a plus that would be for “The City Beautiful”… if we want to be seen as a “big time” metro area, as our elected leaders keep calling us, then we need to step up to the plate and produce. Granted, a fancy new arena is not the end-all and be-all, but in the eyes of other cities and people, it is a first step in the right direction.

~ by Brett on August 3, 2007.

Posted in Uncategorized

9 Responses to “Spider – Maybe if we are lucky…”

  1. Well Lordy! I hope they do something right to improve that Orlando cityscape. LOL.

    Tony said this on August 4, 2007 at 2:05 am | Reply

  2. That last one the Sprint Stadium is really cool.Me likey, Hopefully you guys get a ge=reat sports arena. However being the ‘Mo that I am I want them to do the performing arts place first . :)

    Scottk said this on August 4, 2007 at 2:33 pm | Reply

  3. Congrats on getting HOK to do your arena. I really love their fluid architecture that almost seems to flow from the ground.

    Donnie said this on August 4, 2007 at 3:25 pm | Reply

  4. Lucky Orlando! HOK is synonymous for designing great sports venues. The Chargers have been trying to get a new stadium built for years. They’re threatening to leave San Diego if they don’t get one. That would suck.

    digitaltsquare said this on August 4, 2007 at 9:05 pm | Reply

  5. I hope Memphis gets out of the business of sports stadiums and arenas. That is another story altogether, though.

    Brad said this on August 4, 2007 at 10:51 pm | Reply

  6. the sprint center looks really good. and shiny.

    miketal20 said this on August 5, 2007 at 2:50 pm | Reply

  7. I just home these things are hurricane resistant!
    and have AC.

    Ur-spo said this on August 6, 2007 at 10:43 pm | Reply

  8. Nice looking buildings. It would be great to have something like one of those in Orlando.

    Doug said this on August 7, 2007 at 11:51 am | Reply

  9. lol i like it ! i used to live out there bust now i live in retareded oklahoma lol ……. O well u guys did a great job :)

    dakota said this on September 25, 2009 at 12:02 pm | Reply

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