Entertainment Ground Zero
by K. Robert Wendel

Renovations at the America West Arena aren't adding a whole lot of square footage, but the remake will turn the venerable arena into the center of entertainment in downtown Phoenix.

Hunt Construction Group and the DLR Group, both with Phoenix offices, are back again on the project after completing the first three phases of renovation. The first phases consisted of remodeling and updating concourses along with relocations and upgrades of food service facilities.

Crews also remodeled the old Copper Club, turning it into the much more modern Platinum Club. That work finished in fall 2002.

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Phases four, six and seven began last spring with demolition work on the east plaza between the arena and the historic Suns Athletic Club. Contractors literally blew out the masonry wall and constructed a new glass curtain wall topped by a canopy.

They left the existing support columns and tied them to the curtain wall to create 3,500 sq. ft. of enclosed space. The outdoor area under the canopy will host pre- and post-game events and is known as the "Paseo," which means passage in English.

Designers concentrated on softening the harsh, street-level block exterior by opening the envelope and creating small retail spaces for restaurants and shops.

Contractors opened up offices with a new curtain wall, allowing lots of natural light into the second- and third-floor office spaces. The new and improved offices consolidate the arena management and Suns operations into one area.

"It's an update of the existing facility with a new look and a welcoming streetscape to tie into the neighborhood and tie into the community better than a wall facing a street," said project architect Holly Cappelletto of the Phoenix office of DLR Group. "Instead of walls, we have a Starbucks and the Team Shop facing Jefferson and that makes it more inviting."

Crews also started work on the arena's northwest side and are retooling the main entrance. These phases are funded entirely by the arena's operator, Sports Entertainment Services, and no tax dollars were used. Total project value for all of these three phases is $28 million. Total completion cost of all phases is $65 million.

The construction-manager-at-risk project should be finished in May.

The work has occurred while the arena was still being used. "We had to come up with a method that was easily hidden from the general public when the time came to do the demolition," said Tim Rested, vice president of Phoenix-based BCS Enterprises. "The general public never even knew we were there."

Crews also added new space on Jefferson for an upscale Italian restaurant that recently opened. Santa Monica-based Belzberg Architects designed a warm and contemporary interior with wood, veneer and plaster accents combined with pendant lighting.

At the northwest entrance, long-time Suns fans will see the biggest changes. Crews are erecting a massive, 51-ft. high curved glass curtain wall enclosing 13,000 sq. ft. so fans can purchase tickets in an air-conditioned environment. Designers went with the most efficient, low-E glass available.

"We are taking a concrete system that is very heavy and closed to the exterior and opening it up," said Sean Duncan, an architect with Irvine, Calif.-based Orne and Associates. "Aesthetically, we are opening up the arena and not leaving a large bunker."

The new enclosed space also features a massive escalator system allowing access to all levels of the concourse. The space will be air-conditioned by the central cooling district Northwind system.

Contractors are predicting the northwest plaza will become downtown's entertainment ground zero, especially after a light rail stop is constructed in the area.

"It's not a large amount of square footage, but it really opens up the arena," said Ray Libonati, Hunt's construction manager. " With the light rail coming in, this is going to be the entertainment hub of downtown."

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