By: Joel Glass- Orlando Magic
A new beacon for the Orlando Events Center will create a powerful, memorable new entry for the Orlando Events Center. New renderings were unveiled by project designer HOK Sport along with the Orlando Magic.
From the very beginning, the Mayor, City Council and the Magic wanted to create a memorable and powerful iconic feature for our new Events Center in downtown Orlando,” said Alex Martins, Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer. “As we detailed the final design elements for the Events Center, this new entry beacon became the identity feature that would be seen for miles and mark the gateway for downtown Orlando.”
The 188-foot entry beacon at the northeast corner of the new arena will be clad in a translucent stainless steel mesh skin illuminated by more than 200 LED lights. This energy-efficient light display allows for an ever-changing kinetic light display with the ability to program its color based on the events inside the arena. The beacon is grounded in the first-floor retail space and penetrates upward through meeting/hospitality space and outdoor terrace bars on each of the public concourse levels, creating an interactive element through all four levels. The element will identify the very top portion of the Events Center as it terminates at the sky bar overlooking downtown Orlando. This design emphasizes verticality and creates a forward-looking experiential design element, said HOK Sport arena designer Brad Clark.
“The entry beacon will animate the entry experience for arena fans, creating energy and excitement,” said Clark. “We brought an artistic quality to an architectural feature, creating a defined and experiential symbol for Orlando.”
The Orlando Events Center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010 as the home to the Orlando Magic and the Orlando Predators. It also will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows. The City of Orlando will operate the new Events Center, while the community will own the facility.
Ground was broken on the facility in July 2008, and the construction team is currently finishing the foundational elements of the building with vertical construction schedule to commence within the next few weeks.
