AECOM Hunt served as design-builder for the addition of an octagonal 236,000 SF retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, part of the United States Tennis Association’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
The roof’s retractable opening is 250’ x 250’, the largest in the tennis world. The project uses 6,500 tons of steel and consists of PTFE fabric stretched over the structural steel frame. Though built completely independent of the existing stadium, the roof was designed to appear part of the arena. It stands on eight independent columns placed at each of the stadium’s corners, and since the columns did not require horizontal connections underground, the existing infrastructure was able to remain undisturbed.
Arthur Ashe Stadium remained operational over the two-plus years of construction and hosted the U.S. Open twice with minimal impact to players and spectators.
In addition to the roof itself, the project included new HVAC systems to provide cooling, air movement and humidity control, new sports lighting, a new audio system, new fire sprinkler system on the underside of the new roof, new storm drainage, and overhead doors above the upper concourse to close off the bowl from the outside. In addition, AECOM Hunt also built a new 8,000-seat grandstand and redeveloped the National Tennis Center’s south campus, demolishing and rebuilding ten courts to facilitate a more open feeling.
USTA Louis Armstrong Stadium: AECOM Hunt served as CM for this 278,558 SF retractable-roof tennis stadium consisting of one court and 14,000 seats. Features include a commissary, administrative areas, loading dock, public restrooms, hospitality/retail space, MEP and AVT support systems and a naturally ventilated bowl, as well as sports lighting, audio/visual boards and scoreboards.
Project Highlights
- Engineering News-Record New York: Best Project Sports/Entertainment, 2017
- Engineering News-Record New York: Excellence in Safety, 2017