Philips Arena will close on April 22 for six months of construction that will complete a $192.5M renovationHAWKS
The Hawks last night played the 76ers in what was not only their final game of the season, but their "final game at Philips Arena in its current form," according to Tim Tucker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said that the interior of the arena will be "dramatically different -- 'from roofline to baseline'" -- when next season begins. The arena is "scheduled to close April 22, after hosting concerts April 20 and 21, for six months of construction" that will complete a $192.5M renovation. The Hawks recently opened a "high-tech sales center at CNN Center, where they’ll meet by appointment with prospective buyers of suites and seats." The sales center, named “The Preview” and created by Seattle-based design firm Hornall Anderson, "allows visitors to explore the arena as it will exist in the fall." An interactive feature called “The Pit” allows "3D exploration of the post-renovation arena, going far beyond a traditional scale model." Hawks officials said that almost 800 construction workers "will be on the job in the arena daily through the summer" (AJC.com, 4/10).
