University of Washington

Washington

Husky Stadium
Built: 1920
Project cost: $250 million
Renovation designer: 360 Architecture
Last major renovation: 1987

The two-year construction project is halfway done in Seattle, with structural steel completion set for Oct. 3. The Pac-12 school is essentially getting a new stadium at the spot where its old one sat, at one of college football’s most beautiful settings on the shores of Lake Washington. The project is adding 25 suites, 45 patio suites and 2,500 outdoor club seats on the stadium’s south side.

Where it stands: School officials took a conservative approach for suite development, said O.D. Vincent, Washington’s senior associate athletic director; total premium inventory represents only 6 percent of total seats. “We knew we weren’t going to sell 100 suites ringing the bowl,” he said. “I think we have the right number of premium seats.” When the project is completed, stadium seating will be reduced to about 70,500. The loss of 2,000 seats were mostly obstructed views, Vincent said. The running track circling the field will be removed, bringing fans much closer to the action in what is already one of college football’s loudest stadiums. Washington plays home games this season at CenturyLink Field before moving back to Husky Stadium next season.

Premium seat details: Suites (18 seats) $60,000 annually for three or five years; 17 of 25 sold in early September. Patio suites (logestyled product) $10,000 annually for four seats, $15,000 annually for six seats, both for three or five years; sold out. Club seats $1,050-$1,950 annual donation plus cost of season tickets; sold out. Parking passes included, food and drink a separate cost for all premium seats.

Financing: The university is marketing 12 founding partnerships to help pay for construction. Two deals offer naming rights to the field and the new club. Project funding is split among $50 million in private donations and $200 million financed through the sale of 30-year bonds.