Design Touchdown

The best stadium view in town & plush touches: New University of Houstonfootball home wows

The University of Houston Athletics Department has revealed updated renderingsof the replacement stadium.
Fox 26 Houston/Facebook

Now that the demolition of the historic Robertson Stadium has begun, the University of Houston is looking to the future: The most complete renderings of the state-of-the-art replacement stadium have been revealed.

The corrugated metal exterior is similar to the parking garage recently completed along Holman Street and Cullen Boulevard, but perhaps the most striking feature of the design — realized by project architects PageSoutherlandPage and DLR Group — is the cut-out on the northwest corner of the 40,000-seat, continuous-bowl stadium. It will frame the downtown Houston skyline, allowing well-positioned students and television spectators premium views both day and night.

This East-West orientation is also allegedly optimal to increase airflow throughout the concourse — which has a largely uninterrupted view of the field — while protecting players and fans from the elements.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the design is the cut-out on the northwest corner of the 40,000-seat, continuous-bowl stadium.

Other features of the new playing field include state-of-the-art synthetic turf, a 12,400-square-foot club, four open-air party decks and two open-air party suites, 26 suites above the club level, 34 loge boxes on the concourse level and myriad other premium seating options, plus the ability to increase capacity to 60,000 seats in the future.

But even those who don't score a cushy seat are sure to appreciate the 160 concession points of sale and the giant HD LED video board on the stadium's West end.

Also included in the stadium construction is the Bert F. Winston Band and Performance Center, with recital halls, classroom spaces, a multi-purpose gallery area (which will serve as a tribute UH history) and the Houston athletics ticket office.

The stadium is slated to open in Aug. 2014, and those interested can keep up with construction status, quick facts, web cam images and more on a newly-dedicated website.

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Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

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