Brooklyn Sports Unveils Interior Renderings Of Barclays Center

Barclays Center To Feature Total Of 104 Suites

Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment yesterday released renderings of the Barclays Center seating bowl. The arena will have a total of 104 suites, including 63 suites on the lower suite level, 30 suites on the upper suite level and 11 suites on the event level (BSE). SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Don Muret reports the facility features “one of the tightest designs to date” for a pro basketball arena. Barclays Center GM Alex Diaz said that the 18,350-seat venue measures 375 feet in length, “much shorter than the average big league arena," which stretches 430-450 feet. The design, created by Ellerbe Becket and SHoP Architects, was developed "with intimacy and sight lines in mind." Eighty-five percent of "lower-bowl seats are along the sidelines and corners," increasing to 95% in the upper deck. In addition, the word "Barclays" is painted "across upper deck seats on both sides, giving the building a European flair embraced by the Nets' London-based naming-rights partner" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/8 issue).

DRESSED TO IMPRESS? In N.Y., Rich Calder notes Barclays Center in order to give the Nets a "home-field advantage" will feature "specially designed and positioned sound-reflective materials to redirect crowd sound back to the court." At other sections of the arena, "sound-absorbing materials are designed to enhance the sound quality for concerts." New York Univ. sports management professor Robert Boland said the Barclays Center interior has a "very retro feel to it," similar to Conseco Fieldhouse. He also indicated that Barclays' "sight lines are better than Madison Square Garden’s -- which is 'no shock' because the Garden is 42 years old -- but are 'no better' than what the Nets currently offer fans" at Izod Center. Boland: "It appears there’s too many seats behind the baskets that obstruct courtside views" (N.Y. POST, 3/9). Also in N.Y., Julian Garcia wrote the Barclays Center interior "looks pretty nice," and reminds him of FedExForum. Garcia: "Same colors, similar layout." FedExForum is "one of the nicer arenas in the league, so that's a pretty good standard to shoot for" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 3/8).