The Metropolitan Sports Authority in Nashville has granted approval for the south side renovation of Bridgestone Arena. Updating arenas to meet new customer expectations is a growing trend. Nashville’s 18,500 arena, built in 1997 at a cost of $144 million typically requires a rethink.
The upgrade (architect Populous is advising) is about opening the arena, including restaurants and shops, up to its surroundings, with a plaza on the Demonbreun Street side, a modified south entrance creating open space at the corner of Fifth Avenue South and Demonbreun and a LED lighting feature along the building’s wall facing Fifth Avenue. Work should be complete by October 2013.
