Rockwell Group said it strived for uniqueness in the seven luxury spaces it designed for KeyArenaGETTY IMAGES
Senior officials spearheading the KeyArena rebuild project have "raved about splurging additional private money" to get N.Y.-based hospitality design firm Rockwell Group involved in an "effort to take luxury amenities and suites to a new level," according to Geoff Baker of the SEATTLE TIMES. With the KeyArena project’s price tag approaching $1B in private funding, getting "luxury areas done well was crucial" for Seattle's NHL expansion team that "recently sold out its high-end club season tickets ... on the promise of a unique customer experience." Rockwell Group Partner & Studio Leader Shawn Sullivan said that the company "strived for uniqueness in the seven spaces it designed, be it a centerpiece Space Needle Club offering glass-ceiling views of the iconic structure, or even the light fixtures hanging in what he calls a 'see and be seen' bistro-like Metropolitan Club." Sullivan called the Symetra Club a “cool craft beer hall” featuring local breweries and said the Mount Baker Club in the arena's upper level will be a “pop-up food hall sort of space." Baker noted at ice level, a Tunnel Club has a "specially lit glass wall that becomes see-through as players enter and leave the dressing room" while a nearby "ultraluxury President’s Club has a barrel-vaulted 'grotto' ceiling, with a high-end cocktail bar and emerald-colored leather and velvet finishings." Sullivan said that he "welcomed the 'architectural challenges' of incorporating the company’s first arena work under an existing KeyArena roof" (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/22).
TAKE A RIDE: NHL Seattle will be offering subsidized public transit for fans attending games at the New Arena at Seattle Center. The club, which is the first NHL team and third major U.S. pro sports team besides the Suns and Warriors to offer the perk, said that roughly 25% of fans are expected to take advantage of the new initiative when the team begins play in the ’21-22 NHL season. Those single-game buyers and season-ticket members will have the subsidized transportation cost through a public transit ORCA card. NHL Seattle CEO Tod Leiweke said, “Paying for fans who don’t have a company sponsored ORCA card to use public transit helps reduce traffic congestion and its impact on the environment. We are fortunate that our arena is in a wonderful, unique location that encourages us to think differently about how our fans get to and from games" (Mark J. Burns, THE DAILY).
