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September 9, 2009
Atlantic Yards Basketball Arena v3.0
More reaction to yet another iteration of the "Brooklyn" Nets' we'll-be-playing there-any-minute-now arena (available only in renderings and models).
City Room, New Design Unveiled for Atlantic Yards Arena
Bruce C. Ratner is hoping the third time is the charm for his planned basketball arena for the Nets near Downtown Brooklyn.
On Wednesday morning, Mr. Ratner, the chief executive of Forest City Ratner, unveiled the latest design for the 18,000-seat arena, which is the centerpiece for his 22-acre Atlantic Yards development at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues.
The original design by the architect Frank Gehry called for a $1 billion development that had four residential and commercial buildings hugging the glass-walled arena. It was scrapped in a cost-cutting move this year when the developer sought to build something less expensive. Mr. Ratner then turned to Ellerbe Becket, a firm that has designed many professional basketball arenas. But when its initial renderings of a structure resembling a brick airplane hangar leaked out in June, they were met with nearly universally negative reviews.
Stunned by the reaction, Mr. Ratner brought in a second architect, SHoP, to collaborate on the more glamorous design that was released Wednesday.
Field of Schemes, New Atlantic Yards arena designs! Collect 'em all!
The latest redesign of the New Jersey Nets' proposed Atlantic Yards arena in Brooklyn is out, and it looks like... a Claes Oldenburg handbag? A giant eyeball, as arena opponent and last man standing Daniel Goldstein insists? The previous design, only wrapped in one of those metal-grille facades that are all the rage these days?
Post your suggestions below. In the meantime, I'm mostly interested that the surrounding condo and office towers still appear to be made of some sort of translucent plastic — either the developers realized they didn't look so hot filled in, or it's an oblique admission that they're really vaportecture.
Gothamist, New Atlantic Yards Renderings Show Yet Another New Nets Arena
Still, to opponents like Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, these new renderings are just lipstick on a boondoggle. They've also been released after the public comment period closed, and omit details on the rest of the 22-acre Atlantic Yards site, which once-upon-a-time was to include 16 towers, 6,430 housing units, and a 511 foot tall structure called Miss Brooklyn (remember her?). Though there do seem to be some ghostly buildings hovering in the background, proving that Atlantic Yards phantoms are hardly done haunting Brooklyn.
Nevertheless, the Empire State Development Corporation declined to conduct a full public review of the dramatically changed plans, and Ratner's expected to get final state approval next week. But hurdles, as ever, remain—the state's highest court has agreed to hear the eminent domain lawsuit brought by opponents who say the ESDC is trying to seize private property to benefit Forest City Ratner, not the public.
Crain's NY Business, Developer unveils third version of new Nets home
Forest City Ratner releases artists' renderings for its proposed Atlantic Yards venue. It's not a Gehry, and not an airplane hanger, but what IS it?
Crain's asks: "What would you nickname the proposed Barclays Center?"
Brownstoner, New Barclay's Center Design Revealed
Regardless of your position on Atlantic Yards, there's no denying it's sexier than the most recent renderings, though that's not saying a whole lot.
GlobeSt.com, FCRC Unveils New Arena Design
Originally, the arena, and the mega-project as a whole, were designed by architect Frank Gehry. However, facing challenges in financing the project, FCRC scrapped the Gehry design in early June. Early images of the scaled-down Ellerbe design, which FCRC has said were preliminary, came in for criticism as hangar-like.
NetsAreScorching, NEW BARCLAYS RENDERINGS
9/9/09 will not only be known as Beatles day around the planet. Forest City Ratner has released their latest iteration of renderings for the Barclays Center, the prospective future home of the Brooklyn Nets.
The Local [Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, Atlantic Yards Arena 3.0
We thought it might be instructive to show the three designs side by side. What do you think?
AP via WTEN.com, New design for Brooklyn arena unveiled
A new design for the Brooklyn home of the New Jersey Nets features weathered steel and glass, with a canopy that juts out like the bill of a baseball cap.
The Brooklyn Paper, THIS JUST IN! New Atlantic Yards arena designs are here!
From “The Hanger” to … “The Clamshell”?
Runnin' Scared, 3rd Atlantic Yards Design Emitted
Today developer Bruce Ratner unveiled a third design for his stalled Atlantic Yards project. (The first had been done by architecture superstar Frank Gehry; when it was scrapped for "value engineering" reasons, Ratner engaged Ellerbe Becket, who delivered a Pee-Wee's Playhouse set; SHoP Architects PC did the current revision.)
NY1 News, Atlantic Yards Developer Unveils New Arena Plans (with video)
"It's supposed to be 16 towers, eight million square feet," said Goldstein. "The state's going to approve it next week, yet there are no designs for anything other than this arena, which the city Independent Budget Office has called a money-loser. So what do we have here?"
The Howeva Files, The Nets Stadium's 18th Possible Design
If you are like me, you think the thing looks like a giant fat beetle. After games, I can imagine this thing scurrying up Brendan Fraser's leg like it did in The Mummy.
SportsBusiness Daily, First Images Of Revamped Barclays Center Design Released [subscription required]
BP MARKOWITZ STATEMENT ON NEW DESIGN FOR BARCLAYS CENTER AT ATLANTIC YARDS
“As I have said all along, Brooklyn is the greatest city in America. We’re ready to get back into professional sports’ big leagues, and this arena is going to make it happen. I am thrilled that the new design delivers not only a luminous, iconic structure that celebrates Brooklyn’s industrial heritage with its steel and glass exterior, but one that harmonizes with the architecture of the surrounding neighborhoods and creates a welcoming environment for the public at street-level.
Of course, I remain optimistic that this project will create thousands of jobs and bring much needed affordable housing and even more vitality to Downtown Brooklyn. Now it’s time to break ground and let our union workers get to work building this beautiful Barclays Center, an economic engine that will generate revenue and spur economic development in Brooklyn and New York City for years to come!”
NoLandGrab: Is there any question that Marty would enthuse about any design for a basketball arena? And the NYC Independent Budget Office has already called Marty's "economic engine" a net fiscal loser for the city.
Posted by eric at September 9, 2009 3:17 PM