HOUSTON - New Robertson Stadium (40,000) [Archive]

Spacecityroller

February 6th, 2012, 07:48 PM

The old Robertson Stadium is scheduled to be razed in December 2012. The new stadium will be built on the same location.
This stadium is the home of the University of Houston football team.

http://i42.************/11ald9y.jpg

An RFQ was issued by the University on January 9, 2012. The RFQ includes

40,000-seat capacity, expandable to 60,000 in the future in 10,000-seat increments (phase two would be 50,000 seats, phase three would be 60,000 seats).
Premium seats (suites, club, loge, etc.) would be about 4,000.
A club lounge that would have view of the field, the downtown skyline and premium food and beverage amenities would be approximately 12,000 square feet.
Individual suites would be about 274 square feet apiece.
The Cougars’ locker room would be around 8,500 square feet and would include toilets, showers, separate coaches accommodations, training, treatment and exam facilities and equipment and manager space.
A 20,000 square-foot multi-purpose academic center.
The press box (which would include a visiting athletic director’s suite) would be above the main suite level.
The entire square footage for the stadium (including field, seating and concourses) would be 450,000 square feet.

The project will also include new scoreboards, video boards, lighting, a new sound system and a new playing surface. It is also noted on the RFQ that the stadium is to preserve the view of the downtown skyline, so for those fans that enjoy that part of the charm of the current Robertson Stadium, that won’t go away.

JJG

February 7th, 2012, 03:04 AM

... looks like they've changed the look of the original proposal.

Spacecityroller

February 7th, 2012, 03:40 AM

... looks like they've changed the look of the original proposal.

I believe that more likely than not the final design of the new stadium will look nothing like this rendering. I think they released this and previous renderings for PR reasons ( to look more attractive to the Big East, recruits, prospective private donors, and possible new stadium naming rights partners). Once the architect and builder are chosen we should see the actual design not long after.

The budget for the new stadium is 120million and the University has already raised 60 million in donations. Also, the UH student body voted to add a $45 per semester fee to student tuition to help fund the building of the new stadium and the renovation of Hofheinz Pavillion. Almost 10k students voted and the fee passed by almost 74% for. So there wont be any delays with the current timeline.

JJG

February 7th, 2012, 03:44 AM

Oh, btw.... there's already a thread for this.

New Robertson Stadium (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1150669)

It's happened before to alot of people. That's why I knew something looked different.

But thanks for keeping us posted. I didn't know when they were supposed to start.

Spacecityroller

February 7th, 2012, 03:53 AM

Oh.... Thanks. Didn't notice that. If someone could merge that would be greatly appreciated.

JJG

February 7th, 2012, 04:17 AM

Oh.... Thanks. Didn't notice that. If someone could merge that would be greatly appreciated.

Chances are, it will.

But I'm glad someone gave an update. I don't really blame ya for starting another because it's been a while since we've had anything on this.

I look forward to it as much as seeing The Carter finished @ TCU. Robertson really needs something new.

Spacecityroller

February 7th, 2012, 05:00 AM

Spacecityroller

February 7th, 2012, 07:10 AM

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6834139173_4b1c847c1f_z.jpg

You can see the current Robertson Stadium in the lower right corner of this image.

This image shows the portion of the parking lot that is going to be taken by the SE light rail line. But the great thing is that there will be a light rail station adjacent (the yellow in the top right) to the new stadium. The SE light rail line is expected to be completed in early 2015 and the new Robertson Stadium is expected to be completed for the 2014 football season.

JJG

February 7th, 2012, 08:19 AM

Spacecityroller

February 7th, 2012, 05:58 PM

.... the rail going through the parking lot?

That whole side will have to be reconfigured. The light rail line will have its own right of way along that section of the route. This was another reason why the stadium parking garage was built...because of the parking spaces that are going to be lost.

The parking lot on that side of the stadium wont look anything like it does now.

JYDA

February 8th, 2012, 02:22 AM

With dreams of the Big 12 dancing in their heads...

JJG

February 8th, 2012, 04:29 AM

With dreams of the Big 12 dancing in their heads...

Big East... (as of now)

scottturner

March 15th, 2012, 12:53 PM

New Houston Cougars Stadium is a planned American football stadium to be built in ... of Houston campus, and will be built upon the site of Robertson Stadium. ... capacity at the new stadium would be 40000 with expandability to 60000.

Swellendam Accommodation (http://www.ubuntustay.com)

JJG

March 15th, 2012, 06:05 PM

Swellendam Accommodation (http://www.ubuntustay.com)[/SIZE]

SPAM....

Spacecityroller

March 28th, 2012, 03:06 AM

Board of Reagents approved the location today.

http://swamplot.com/goodbye-robertson-stadium-replacement-uh-football-venue-gets-go-ahead/2012-03-27/

JJG

March 28th, 2012, 05:14 AM

Board of Reagents approved the location today.

http://swamplot.com/goodbye-robertson-stadium-replacement-uh-football-venue-gets-go-ahead/2012-03-27/

Nice. Didn't think there was a plan to put it next to 45, but this works.

CainanUK

March 30th, 2012, 09:34 PM

Going back to the Oilers... I could never understand why they play NFL games in Houston in a dome? This is a very nice looking stadium that with some expansion and additional luxury boxes, could be used by the Texans as well... Let both UH and the Texas share the cost.. A win win for everybody.

WesTexas

March 31st, 2012, 04:57 AM

So...you want the Texans to give up their still new...ish stadium to move outside to this small thing?

JJG

March 31st, 2012, 06:47 AM

WesTexas

March 31st, 2012, 07:19 AM

JJG

March 31st, 2012, 07:45 AM

Right? Think he knows the Oilers are now the Titans and the Texans are a team built from scratch in a very nice state of the art retractable rough stadium.

He wants The Texans to play in the New 40,000 seat college stadium over this.....

http://www.walkertx.com/Websites/walkercms/PhotoGallery/757878%5CReliant%20Stadium%20Aerial_Compressed.jpg

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2008/0730/reliant_580.jpg

Is that it?

Because the idea of college teams and pro teams sharing the same stadium died out last decade. I mean, you still see it with Miami and Tulane (New Orleans) and with Tulane getting their own, MUCH smaller stadium and Miami has a big enough fan base to share with the Dolphins, although I see them getting their own stadium sometime sooner than later.

But if anything, U of H will be playing at Reliant, not the other way around like he's suggesting (right?)

WesTexas

March 31st, 2012, 06:27 PM

Pro teams dont want to share their stadiums with college teams. There is to much that has to be done for the switch from one teams look for on Saturday to the pro teams look on Sunday.

GunnerJacket

April 2nd, 2012, 04:01 PM

I mean, you still see it with Miami and Tulane (New Orleans) and with Tulane getting their own, MUCH smaller stadium and Miami has a big enough fan base to share with the Dolphins, although I see them getting their own stadium sometime sooner than later. a) Add Pitt, Temple, SDSU, Ga State and USF to that list. Of that Pitt's the only one that truly works because their presence was incorporated into the design.
b) Miami doesn't have that large a consistent fan base, and many of their games early on in Dolphin/Sunlife/Lanshark stadium featured some woefully low attendance figures. Last year was a better year for them, aided by a full house for OSU and an amazingly high 60k figure for Duke. (Don't ask. I don't know) Other than that they're lucky if they drawing the full 40-43k they typically list as attending. It's a small, private school (13k undergrad) and the venue is much further from campus than the Orange Bowl.

That being said there's no room for them to build in Coral Gables and they've signed a 25(?) year lease with the stadium. Should never have sold the Orange Bowl, IMO.

JJG

April 2nd, 2012, 04:58 PM

a) Add Pitt, Temple, SDSU, Ga State and USF to that list. Of that Pitt's the only one that truly works because their presence was incorporated into the design.
b) Miami doesn't have that large a consistent fan base, and many of their games early on in Dolphin/Sunlife/Lanshark stadium featured some woefully low attendance figures. Last year was a better year for them, aided by a full house for OSU and an amazingly high 60k figure for Duke. (Don't ask. I don't know) Other than that they're lucky if they drawing the full 40-43k they typically list as attending. It's a small, private school (13k undergrad) and the venue is much further from campus than the Orange Bowl.

That being said there's no room for them to build in Coral Gables and they've signed a 25(?) year lease with the stadium. Should never have sold the Orange Bowl, IMO.

Oh right, I forgot about those.... although, SDSU may not have to worry about sharing a stadium with anyone in the next deade and I thought GSU had their own.

Still, any PRO team playing in a college team's facility is just wrong. I feel pretty much the same the other way around.

I guess the Marlins wanted (or needed?) that spot more than the Canes...

GunnerJacket

April 2nd, 2012, 08:56 PM

Still, any PRO team playing in a college team's facility is just wrong. I feel pretty much the same the other way around.Pretty much agreed. U of Houston should have their own, and it will ever be a smaller, weaker venue compared to their NFL counterparts.

I guess the Marlins wanted (or needed?) that spot more than the Canes...UofM owned it but the structure was aging and they didn't feel the investment to fix it up, while still retaining its historic status, was something they could afford. Especially since at the time Little Havana was considered a bad place to go for games. Looking back, many folks agreed they should've kept it and renovated it while partnering with the community to spearhead improvement there. A nice 50k venue for them would be ideal.

triodegradable2

April 5th, 2012, 07:57 PM

awesome

CougarRed

May 18th, 2012, 03:13 PM

Word is leaking out that the team of DLR Group (http://www.dlrgroup.com/#/3.3/) and Page Southerland Page (http://www.pspaec.com/) may have won the RFQ over HKS and AECOM Ellerbe Becket. Nothing official yet, but an announcement is expected soon.

The Athletic Director went on the radio a week ago and said the architect would be announced within the next 2-4 weeks and the design work would proceed immediately thereafter. He also confirmed the timeline for the demolition of Robertson Stadium starting in December 2012.

I'm not sure what the rules are for moving a project from the "Planning" Forum to the "Under Construction" Forum, but this project will be gaining steam quickly.

JJG

May 18th, 2012, 06:27 PM

CougarRed

May 30th, 2012, 10:19 PM

Word is leaking that Manhattan Construction (http://www.manhattanconstructiongroup.com/manhattan-construction/projects?ptype=7) will be the general contractor.

Also, apparently one of the design ideas DLR + PSP pitched was a stadium that could be lit up at night similar to an Omni Hotel. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEIXQbMFfJc&feature=fvwrel)

CougarRed

June 13th, 2012, 02:13 AM

Today, UH officially announced (http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/061212aad.html) that PageSoutherlandPage and DLR Group will design the stadium.

PageSoutherlandPage will be led by principal in charge Jeffrey Bricker, design principal in charge Lawrence Speck and senior designer David Quenemoen. DLR Group will be led by stadium project manager Don Barnum and lead stadium designer Greg Garlock.

According to the UH Athletic Director Mack Rhoades, (http://blog.chron.com/cougars/2012/06/new-uh-football-stadium-architects-will-have-blank-canvas/) the architects will have a blank canvas. The renderings that were done by AECOM Ellerbe Becket as a part of the 2009 feasibility study are not being used.

Rhoades: "Let’s look at this from all different angles, all different perspectives, we want to do this right, we want to be unique. You get one opportunity and I’m confident we’ve hired the right architects.”

The first two design decisions, which Rhoades said that they hope to make within the next four weeks, is the orientation of the stadium and depth. UH and the design firms will need to decide whether the stadium stays in its current orientation (going northwest to southeast), goes to a true north-south setup or even a possible east-west look. How far the stadium goes into the ground will also be something that will need deciding.

Both the Daily Cougar article (http://thedailycougar.com/2012/06/13/uh-names-stadium-architect_ah_1/) and the DLR press release (http://dlrgroup.tumblr.com/post/24973936405/new-football-stadium-for-houston-cougars) talk about maximizing shaded areas for fans, as well as air flow through the stadium.

I assume that the field orientation decision will be made based in part on these priorities. Prevailing winds in Houston during September-November are from the South/Southeast. During late August to early October (the hottest months in football season for Houston residents), the Sun sets slightly West-Northwest in late August rotating to slightly West-Southwest in early October, suggesting maximum shade during the hottest weeks in a true N-S field orientation. Also, they want to maximize the views of the Houston downtown skyline which will play a role in orientation.

The Houston water table will determine how far below grade the stadium can be built if they go that route.

CougarRed

June 21st, 2012, 09:48 AM

The DLR/PSP concepts presented in their winning bid have not been made public. However, Houston head football coach Tony Levine was recently given a private showing, and here's his tweet:

@ CoachTonyLevine Had a private screening yesterday of the new stadium concepts by @ PSPAEC (Page Southerland Page) & @ DLRGroup . All I can say is one word: Wow

Apparently, others have also seen the concepts in private. Some details are leaking:

The goal of the stadium is to be one of the 10 most recognizable college football stadiums in the country.

As mentioned in a post above, one of the concepts to achieve this goal is a stadium that lights up. I have now been told the concept is similar to Allianz Arena in Germany.

http://www.baviere-quebec.org/imperia/md/quebec/weiteres/allianz-arena2.jpeg

Allianz is wrapped in lighting for 360 degrees and from top to bottom. The UH lighting will probably be the upper part of the stadium, and not full circumfrence. But something that can be seen for miles.

The concept for stadium orientation is a counterclockwise turn towards the West. Not full East-West, but more WNW-ESE than the stadium currently sites. This would do 2 things:

1. Give the premium seat holders (suite, club, loge) on the Home side a view of the downtown skyline (which is 3 miles away).

2. Align the visitors side of the stadium parallel with the new stadium parking garage, which is a 5-story 2500 car structure.

This would allow a crosswalk from the roof of the parking garage into the stadium.

GunnerJacket

June 21st, 2012, 07:51 PM

Seems a tall order for a $120M budget. I imagine they might be thinking more like a translucent shell a la nearby Compass Stadium. Either way, I can see where they might feel the need to for something splashy to try and put Cougar football on the national radar. Obviously that idea would look far different than the concept render at the start of the thread, then.

CougarRed

July 7th, 2012, 10:53 AM

The timing now makes more sense also because they are in the middle of construction of the new stadium parking garage.

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff345/bppedersen/Architecture%20Photos/DSC_0231.jpg

You can see the current Robertson Stadium in the back left of this image. The amount of parking that would be taken up by the construction of the new stadium would cause a parking nightmare. The new stadium parking garage will have 1500 spaces with space for retail on the ground floor of the stadium side of the garage. The garage will be finished in May 2012. Also, the new SE light rail line is expected to take away 100-150 parking spaces from the parking lot behind the stadium.

I would bet that there will be a sky walk from the top floor of this parking garage into the new stadium.

The 4-story $25M Parking Garage is finished now. It has 2450 spaces, not 1500. And you are right - there are rumors of a skyway from the garage into the new stadium.

Here's the orientation of the old stadium to the Houston skyline (S) and the new parking garage (white rectangle). They are looking at turning the field "counterclockwise" to align it parallel the new parking garage. This would give the home side (i.e. premium club/loge/suites) a skyline view.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8859/robertsonsite.png

For perspective, here is the Skyline view:

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/596/skylineil.jpg

CougarRed

July 13th, 2012, 08:01 PM

Manhattan Construction has been hired for the UH Stadium according to local Fox TV sports reporter Mark Berman (http://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/223824424753831936)

They built Reliant Stadium, Jerry World and the new Dynamo Stadium.

Here is the official press release. (http://www.uhcougars.com/genrel/071312aab.html)

The scuttlebutt is that the "Initial Programming" part of the process was approved and completed about a month ago. We are currently in the "Schematic Design" phase which should conclude in ~September. This phase takes the elements identified in the approved Program of the project and starts to look at layout and how these spaces relate to each other within the site outlined.

After that, the "Design Development" phase will take 3-5 months. Knowing the spatial arrangements of the items in the Program, this phase will get into the meat and potatoes of what the new stadium will look like. Design concepts pitched in selection phase will be revisited along with design influences from the Architectural firm and from the owner. We should expect early renderings at the completion of this phase in late 2012/early 2013. The demolition of the old Robertson Stadium will occur immediately after the season is over as this phase wraps up.

Finally, the "Construction Document" phase will take another 3-5 months. This phase defines to the finest detail what will be the scope of the project and what will be built by the Construction Manager/General Contractor. Finishes such as paint and trim and materials will all be set forth in the plans and the specifications and more detailed renderings of not only exterior elevations but interior spaces will become available.

Here's an article (http://blog.chron.com/cougars/2012/07/manhattan-construction-company-to-build-new-uh-stadium/) about the hiring of Manhattan in which AD Mack Rhoades reaffirms the schedule is to tear down Robertson in December, and break ground on the new stadium in January.

WesTexas

July 15th, 2012, 06:52 AM

When will the new concepts and renderings be released?

CougarRed

July 16th, 2012, 01:55 AM

When will the new concepts and renderings be released?

We expect early renderings in December 2012/January 2013.

Detailed renderings in the April/May of 2013.

ihav3nofri3ndzz

July 18th, 2012, 08:38 AM

that seems like a huge parking garage for it's use? how big is the univ of houston?

diablo234

July 18th, 2012, 09:08 AM

that seems like a huge parking garage for it's use? how big is the univ of houston?

The University of Houston has about 40,000 students and it is the third largest university in the state after University of Texas in Austin and Texas A&M in College Station so it is pretty sizable.

ihav3nofri3ndzz

July 18th, 2012, 10:43 AM

The University of Houston has about 40,000 students and it is the third largest university in the state after University of Texas in Austin and Texas A&M in College Station so it is pretty sizable.

makes sense then. Didn't realize Houston was such a large university.

JJG

July 19th, 2012, 01:47 AM

makes sense then. Didn't realize Houston was such a large university.

Well even so, the city of Houston is fuckin' HUGE with car culture, so yeah, that garage is just about the right size.

ihav3nofri3ndzz

July 19th, 2012, 03:39 AM

Well even so, the city of Houston is fuckin' HUGE with car culture, so yeah, that garage is just about the right size.

yes, but car culture doesn't warrant a 2500 space parking lot for a 40k seat stadium that already has parking around it. I get that they are wanting to build a new stadium, but it just seems like overkill to me. I'm not saying it won't get used though. That's why I was curious about the size of the school and if there was parking anywhere else around.

JJG

July 19th, 2012, 04:23 AM

yes, but car culture doesn't warrant a 2500 space parking lot for a 40k seat stadium that already has parking around it. I get that they are wanting to build a new stadium, but it just seems like overkill to me. I'm not saying it won't get used though. That's why I was curious about the size of the school and if there was parking anywhere else around.

Well it's not just for the stadium...

Besides, there could be plazas and more greenspace around the New Robertson, and if that's the case, I'm for it.

ihav3nofri3ndzz

July 19th, 2012, 05:10 AM

Well it's not just for the stadium...

Besides, there could be plazas and more greenspace around the New Robertson, and if that's the case, I'm for it.

definitely agree about green space. I'd much rather have parking structure than a bunch of lots surrounding a stadium.

edit: plus, having a big structure now will make expanding a bit easier without having to add on to the garage. it's already big enough. that is of course, assuming they can win without Keenum.

WesTexas

July 19th, 2012, 09:15 PM

The University of Houston has about 40,000 students and it is the third largest university in the state after University of Texas in Austin and Texas A&M in College Station so it is pretty sizable.

Really? I figured Tech would be number 3. color me impressed.

diablo234

July 21st, 2012, 08:56 PM

Really? I figured Tech would be number 3. color me impressed.

Texas Tech is actually ranked as the sixth largest in the state with 32,327 students right after the University of North Texas in Denton which has 35,694 students.

KingmanIII

July 21st, 2012, 10:31 PM

Really? I figured Tech would be number 3. color me impressed.
One is a commuter school located within one of the nation's largest metro areas.

The other is located in Lubbock.

JJG

July 22nd, 2012, 02:37 AM

One is a commuter school located within one of the nation's largest metro areas.

The other is located in Lubbock.

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080310035005/uncyclopedia/images/8/81/Nuff-said.gif

CougarRed

July 24th, 2012, 01:56 PM

One is a commuter school located within one of the nation's largest metro areas.

Houston's campus is becoming more traditional. UH is no more "commuter" than the other major Texas universities. By 2014 there will be ~8500 beds on campus at UH. Compare:

A&M - 9800 beds
UT - 7200 beds
Tech - 6400 beds

WesTexas

July 25th, 2012, 04:47 AM

Maybe by then the Big 12 will consider it.

CougarRed

July 28th, 2012, 07:49 PM

Word is that Houston has chosen to rotate the orientation of the field about 45 degrees counterclockwise to make it parallel with the new parking garage and Holman street. The field will be about 30 degrees North of Pure West (i.e. pointing at 300 degrees if West is 270), and the home stands will have skyline view.

In this photo where true north is at the top middle of the picture, the parking garage is in gray and the estimated stadium footprint is in checkered red.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/921/image0014.png

JJG

July 28th, 2012, 08:40 PM

CougarRed

July 29th, 2012, 03:04 AM

Wouldn't that put the sunlight in their faces?

The fans faces? Presumably, unless some sort of cover is erected.

I will say that Houston normally plays night games early in the season. Later in the season, Houston plays more day games.

On October 1, the sun sets at due West in Houston (270 degrees).

On November 1 in Houston, the sun sets 12 degrees south of due West. (258 degrees).

By December 1, the sun sets 20 degrees south of due West (250 degrees).

The field sits at 300 degrees. So in terms of the sun getting in players eyes near sunset of day games, it should not be that big of a problem even without any cover.

JJG

July 29th, 2012, 08:58 AM

The fans faces? Presumably, unless some sort of cover is erected.

I will say that Houston normally plays night games early in the season. Later in the season, Houston plays more day games.

On October 1, the sun sets at due West in Houston (270 degrees).

On November 1 in Houston, the sun sets 12 degrees south of due West. (258 degrees).

By December 1, the sun sets 20 degrees south of due West (250 degrees).

The field sits at 300 degrees. So in terms of the sun getting in players eyes near sunset of day games, it should not be that big of a problem even without any cover.

No, the players' faces. It would be facing east-west....

slipperydog

July 30th, 2012, 09:40 AM

I've yet to hear one legitimate reason for any football stadium being oriented east-west as opposed to north-south.

BaylorGuy314

July 30th, 2012, 04:11 PM

JJG

July 30th, 2012, 04:19 PM

I've yet to hear one legitimate reason for any football stadium being oriented east-west as opposed to north-south.

Yeah. Just have one of the endzones face the garage if you want to make it parallel.

It would basically keep the North-South orientation.

CougarRed

August 2nd, 2012, 11:47 AM

I, too, am a little confused by the proposed east-west orientation.

Couldn't you easily have it face NNE-SSW and keep the southwest corner open to provide views to downtown?

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7061/uhstadiumorientation.jpg

The downtown views are NNW, not SE. See the earlier picture I posted (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=93060339&postcount=33) with S as the direction of the Skyline.

CougarRed

August 2nd, 2012, 12:06 PM

I've yet to hear one legitimate reason for any football stadium being oriented east-west as opposed to north-south.

I hear you. But Oklahoma State built their stadium E-W. LSU & TCU run NW-SE. It's not unheard of.

In our case, it's about the skyline.

JJG

August 2nd, 2012, 05:44 PM

I hear you. But Oklahoma State built their stadium E-W. LSU & TCU run NW-SE. It's not unheard of.

In our case, it's about the skyline.

Right, but it's not directly E-W. Still doesn't effect the players on the field.

CougarRed

August 3rd, 2012, 02:44 PM

Right, but it's not directly E-W. Still doesn't effect the players on the field.

Houston won't be directly East-West either. If 12 o'clock is due North and 9:00 is due West, Houston points to ~10:00. TCU and LSU point to ~10:30.

CougarRed

August 12th, 2012, 05:13 AM

So here's the latest, from the UH Board of Regents Agenda for next week's meeting. You can see how they are preserving the view of Downtown ("D") while also protecting against the setting Sun with an Upper Deck extending through the West corner.

Note this sketch is not drawn North-South. If it were a clock, the stadium sits on the 10-4 line, not the 9-3 line.

The big rectangular building is the 2400 car parking garage. The buildings in the lower right corner are new dorms called Cougar Place.

Scale-wise, here's how it breaks down:

Lower Bowl

5K along each sideline and 3K in each end zone for 16K total.

Upper Grandtands

8K on visitors side (next to parking garage). 5K in "East" End Zone. And 11K on home side for 24K total.

Final capacity 40K.

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/9773/screenshot20120811at958.png

CougarRed

August 13th, 2012, 09:43 AM

Here is the layout on a map where 12 o'clock is due North:

http://i47.************/n2l37t.png

JJG

August 13th, 2012, 05:44 PM

That's a better look at it, but I'd still go with the orientation they have now.

Spacecityroller

August 16th, 2012, 12:38 AM

The UH BOR today approved the initial financing for the Cougars' new on campus football stadium!

http://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/UH-regents-approve-financing-for-new-football-3790786.php

:banana:

CougarRed

September 14th, 2012, 07:09 PM

Had a chance to see the progress on the new stadium. I was very impressed. Here's what I can tell you;

1) They are going to locate the new stadium alongside the new parking garage and create a "Cougar Walk" between the two buildings with plazas, trees, gardens, etc...

2) They are going to dig down and place a lower bowl largely in the ground. They are shooting for a complete bowl with 25 to 28 rows depending upon how many they can fit in. The last row of the lower bowl will be about 5 feet above ground level.

3) A wide concourse will run the entire area around the lower bowl. The concourse will offer unobstructed views to the playing field, meaning you will be able to see the field while at concession stands. The architectural team toured Dynamo Stadium and also wanted to leave the concourse open to allow for more air flow.

4) Speaking of air flow, the plan is to leave two areas open to allow more flow (the Southeast corner- which is the direction most of the wind will enter the stadium) and the Northeast corner (to maximize the downtown view)

5) On the "home side" of the stadium, you'll find the club area and team locker room. A neat proposal is to have the tunnel out of the locker room be enclosed by glass so that you could see the team leaving the locker room to enter the field of play while in the club and concourse level.

6) The seats between the 30 yard lines in the lower bowl will be chairbacked seats with access to the club level

7) Loge boxes will be located on both sides of the stadium at the top of the lower bowl but offer different price points. The loge boxes on the "home side" will offer access to the club level while those on the opposite side of the field will not

8) On the "home side", there will be a level of suites directly above the concourse level (one flight up). Flanking each side of the suites will be "party patios" that can hold 200 or so fans each (these will offer tables and bar stools and access to the club level)

9) Above the suites will be the press and coaches boxes

10) There will be a fairly large upper deck on this side of the stadium located on top of the suite and press level.

11) Fronting Cullen, you'll find the academic buildings for the Moores School of Music. All buildings will look connected from the exterior and the plans are best described as a modern take on art deco design.

12) There will be a large band hall used for the Spirit of Houston, cheer, and dance teams. A tunnel from the hall will lead directly to the field allowing better access to the field and a potential return to how the band used to enter the games back when UH played in the Astrodome

13) A new concert hall will be located adjacent to the band hall allowing for smaller performances that aren't conducive to the Opera House

14) Closest to the new garage, there will be a University-wide Hall of Honor, ticket office, and game day shop. Early plans (depends on funding) call for this building to be possibly enclosed by red class that can be illuminated at night.

15) "Cougar Cage"- a concept to wrap the stadium in most likely a steel mesh similar to the Dynamo Stadium. This would cover the backside of the stadium so that you do not see things like support beams, the back of a scoreboard, etc...

16) Materials- Concrete, steel, a red glazed brick, brown brick similar to newer buildings along Cullen, and glass

17) At the top of the upper deck, there will be a wide concourse that will allow for several hundred spots of SRO

A- First plan calls for 37,500 or so seats with 2,500 other options (party plazas, SRO on concourse, etc...) for a capacity of 40,000

B- Second plans calls for 40,000 actual seats by placing a small upper deck on the "visiting side" of the field that appeared to stretch between the 25 yard lines. Total capacity would be in the 42,000 range

C- Expansion to 50,000 would be possible by building out the entire "visiting side" upper deck

D- Expansion to 60,000 would be possible by building an upper deck above the endzone concourse closest to Cullen

Much of these designs will be dependent upon total funding. If they can land naming rights, they will likely go with plan B and all the bells and whistles. Otherwise, look for plan A and a scale back on materials.

CougarRed

October 7th, 2012, 11:50 AM

Bids for the demolition of the current Robertson Stadium are due to Manhattan Construction on October 25. (https://www.google.com/calendar/render?eid=MHQ0Y3JzdHJ1MG12ZHY1MWc4NnRnYTg2YXMgcGxhbnRvcHNmcGNAbQ&pli=1&sf=true&output=xml)

While the project remains in the design phase, decommissioning, demolition, and removal of the old stadium is scheduled to begin immediately following this season. (http://www.uh.edu/plantops/departments/fpc/in-design/new-football-stadium/index.php)

CougarRed

November 7th, 2012, 11:44 PM

Here's a leaked drawing.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/549053_10100817595643946_657459782_n.jpg

CougarRed

November 8th, 2012, 12:50 AM

More drawings:

http://imageshack.us/a/img717/1707/screenshot20121107at541.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img826/1707/screenshot20121107at541.png

CougarRed

November 8th, 2012, 01:24 AM

Another drawing. I like how close the stands are to the field. It looks about as close as you can get.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7641/screenshot20121107at614.png

JJG

November 8th, 2012, 08:19 AM

8H9y7iZeBqg
The Lonely Island-Jizz in my Pants (Ringtone) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H9y7iZeBqg)

That's INCREDIBLE!

RMB2007

November 8th, 2012, 08:46 AM

JJG

November 8th, 2012, 05:33 PM

What's this, an American college stadium that doesn't feature a brick facade, but instead opts for something more modern. Miracles do happen. ;) In saying that, I'm not sure I actually like the design. It looks kinda cheap, whilst the internal bowl is all over the shop.

I'm guessing they wanted to get away from the Art Deco style (the basketball facility will get a facelift as well, and it will be more modern).

The city of Houston has a lot of great architecture, but everything is getting more modern now. Robertson will follow...

Wenni

November 17th, 2012, 12:59 PM

Some news about this:

HOUSTON COUGAR'S HOMEPAGE (Nov. 12, 2012) – Conference USA and Fox Sports Net announced Monday that Houston’s final game in Robertson Stadium vs. Tulane will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 24. Following the conclusion of the season, the 70-year old stadium will be torn down and replaced with a state-of-the-art on-campus stadium set for play in the 2014 season.

Details about the latest developments on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Houston_Cougars_Stadium

Dale

November 17th, 2012, 08:40 PM

Sweet-looking stadium, but the Cougers are so bad this year they may as well take 2013 off. :lol:

will101

November 19th, 2012, 02:42 PM

That raises a good point. Assuming that the team does not take 2013 off, where will they play?

JJG

November 19th, 2012, 04:50 PM

That raises a good point. Assuming that the team does not take 2013 off, where will they play?

This place:

http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/HoustonTexans/interior.jpg

It wont happen, but you also have the added option of THIS place as well:
http://www.stc51.com/article_images/video-tour-of-bbva-compass-stadium.jpg

Oh, the advantages of being an FBS school in the 4th largest city in America, AND being in Texas... :)

(BTW, how many threads are there on the new U of H stadium in this forum?)

Dale

November 19th, 2012, 04:53 PM

Texas has or is building the best-looking college football stadiums in America.

JJG

November 19th, 2012, 05:15 PM

I think we need a merger here:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1150669

CougarRed

November 20th, 2012, 06:19 AM

JJG

November 21st, 2012, 02:20 AM

This thread has old/outdated/sparce info. All the latest info/renderings have been posted in this 4-page thread. (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1486164)

I already mentioned it.

Should be merged at some point...

RMB2007

November 21st, 2012, 11:35 AM

^^ The best mod to ask when something needs changing is sercan:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/member.php?find=lastposter&t=528206

JJG

November 22nd, 2012, 07:18 PM

There we go. :)

CougarRed

November 30th, 2012, 07:02 PM

Per a school press release today (http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113012aaa.html), Stadium construction will begin December 2 with fencing of the project. From December 2 to December 9 as the fencing is completed, the demolition firm will strip the stadium in preparation for demolition. Demolition itself will commence on December 10 and should last 6-8 weeks. A stadium webcam has been set up for fans to follow the action.

Mods: this thread needs to be moved to the "Under Construction" board by December 10 at the latest. Thanks.

Here is the Stadium Webcam (http://www.earthcam.com/clients/manhattanconstruction/universityofhoustonstadium/)

BoulderGrad

November 30th, 2012, 07:52 PM

JJG

November 30th, 2012, 08:32 PM

Demolition and construction not same things

We should wait til mid January to label it "Construction".

CougarRed

November 30th, 2012, 08:51 PM

BoulderGrad

December 1st, 2012, 12:58 AM

They are when you are building a new stadium on the site of an old stadium you are tearing down.

In this case, demolition is "breaking ground" on the construction of the new stadium.

The Earthquakes tore down the buildings on the site of their new stadium more than a year before their record "Ground Breaking":

March 3, 2011
http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2011/03/stadium-progress-quakes-begin-demolition-fmc-factory

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes took a major step toward the construction of a new home by starting the demolition of the FMC factory on the site of their proposed new stadium. The team marked the occasion with a demolition event at the site on Thursday afternoon.

Oct 21, 2012
http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2012/10/quakes-set-guinness-world-record-groundbreaking-day

CougarRed

December 1st, 2012, 03:18 AM

The Earthquakes tore down the buildings on the site of their new stadium more than a year before their record "Ground Breaking":

March 3, 2011
http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2011/03/stadium-progress-quakes-begin-demolition-fmc-factory

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes took a major step toward the construction of a new home by starting the demolition of the FMC factory on the site of their proposed new stadium. The team marked the occasion with a demolition event at the site on Thursday afternoon.

Oct 21, 2012
http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2012/10/quakes-set-guinness-world-record-groundbreaking-day

I don't understand. What does that have to do with tearing down your existing stadium to build a new one on the same site? Like Stanford did a few years ago. Does anyone really dispute that when the Bulldozers came out at the end of the last Stanford home game, that wasn't the start of the construction of the new stadium?

Spacecityroller

December 7th, 2012, 12:34 AM

While on campus today, I noticed demo had begun.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8251309610_6891505709.jpg

http://www.earthcam.com/clients/manhattanconstruction/universityofhoustonstadium/

CougarRed

December 7th, 2012, 06:57 AM

Yes - here's a story in the Houston Chronicle (http://blog.chron.com/cougars/2012/12/images-demolition-of-robertson-stadium-is-under-way/#8812-2) with several pictures.

I believe the wrecking ball starts next week.

By the way, the school website (http://www.uh.edu/plantops/departments/fpc/under-construction/index.php) lists construction projects as either: In Planning, In Design, Under Construction or Completed. UH has moved the football stadium project from the "Design" section to the "Under Construction" section.

CougarRed

December 13th, 2012, 09:07 PM

According to this press release (http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121312aaa.html), UH will unveil official renderings on December 19 at a joint press conference with the architects.

In addition, that same day UH will launch a new website called houstonfootballstadium.com (http://www.houstonfootballstadium.com) where fans can go and see the renderings, follow the construction, etc.

CougarRed

December 14th, 2012, 08:12 PM

Current status of the demolition. Both endzone grandstands are down. Corner restroom concession pods are down. Upper grandstands starting to be demolished.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A-FvvbdCEAAAT0f.jpg:large

JJG

December 14th, 2012, 08:26 PM

Current status of the demolition. Both endzones grandstands are down. Corner restroom concession pods are down. Upper grandstands starting to be demolished.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A-FvvbdCEAAAT0f.jpg:large

Well this looks familiar....

CougarRed

December 15th, 2012, 10:12 PM

New banner placed on the fencing surrounding the construction of the new stadium. Picture shows a rendering from the field box level with the downtown view:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9822/screenshot20121215at314.png

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/9822/screenshot20121215at314.png

KingmanIII

December 17th, 2012, 11:27 PM

New renderings and site coming Wednesday:

http://www.houstonfootballstadium.com/

RMB2007

December 19th, 2012, 08:39 PM

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/6894/newslider4.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img407/6217/newslider6.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img685/3113/newslider7.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img839/4320/newslider8.jpg

RMB2007

December 19th, 2012, 08:40 PM

http://imageshack.us/a/img855/7121/newslider3.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img834/1189/newslider5.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/4743/newslider9.jpg

Spacecityroller

December 20th, 2012, 05:17 AM

More renderings

http://www.houstonfootballstadium.com/home/

http://i.imgur.com/0CvV5h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/w4z4Nh.jpg

CougarRed

December 20th, 2012, 04:30 PM

http://i.imgur.com/0CvV5h.jpg

Do you see that darker purple section between the 25 yard lines on the home side?

Those 766 seats, while situated in the lower bowl, are the 22" padded armchair Club seats. So there will be no seating in the actual club. Instead, holders of these premium lower bowl seats have Club access.

slipperydog

December 21st, 2012, 09:42 PM

Mp9u7yoOGpg

urbanaturalist

December 21st, 2012, 10:41 PM

...those renderings are :wow:.....

I was over the other day and saw them demolishing it....... the new stadium is going to be a monster...

Spacecityroller

December 22nd, 2012, 03:12 AM

Video of last major structure coming down.

2mpkZ9Lga_8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2mpkZ9Lga_8

CougarRed

January 20th, 2013, 03:44 AM

Official Grounbreaking scheduled for February 8 at 10:30 AM (http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012413aab.html).

BoulderGrad

January 21st, 2013, 07:23 AM

Demolition and construction not same things

They are when you are building a new stadium on the site of an old stadium you are tearing down.

In this case, demolition is "breaking ground" on the construction of the new stadium.

Official Grounbreaking scheduled for February 8 at 10:30 AM.

I so rarely get a chance to say: I told you so ;)

CougarRed

February 8th, 2013, 07:38 PM

Houston had the groundbreaking ceremony today. Here is some news coverage (http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8985427) and another story with pics. (http://blog.chron.com/cougars/2013/02/uh-breaks-ground-on-new-football-stadium/#9831-1)

Today they also announced that John O'Quinn's estate has donated $5M to the project to retain the naming rights to the playing field. Since 1999, it had been John O"Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. Come 2014, it will be John O'Quinn Field at ___________ Stadium.

We don't have a stadium naming rights deal finalized yet, but the AD said today we are making great progress. It should fetch $20M+

Moderators, please move this thread to "Under Construction." Thanks.

slipperydog

February 9th, 2013, 04:47 AM

hMpHGUr0jps

Congratulations, Houston!

slipperydog

February 12th, 2013, 06:47 AM

hRjTXUvy1Xc

Spacecityroller

February 18th, 2013, 02:13 AM

Concrete about to be poured. 2/17/2013

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BDVm1n5CEAAqMMz.jpg:large

CougarRed

February 18th, 2013, 06:18 AM

Specifically, per our Asst. AD:

Chris Pezman ‏ @ CPezman
Home Team Tunnel Ready To Be Poured...

CougarRed

February 18th, 2013, 09:52 PM

There will be a light rail station adjacent to the new stadium. The SE light rail line is expected to be completed in early 2015 and the new Robertson Stadium is expected to be completed for the 2014 football season.

The light rail connecting the UH campus to downtown will be very cool when it's finished, and pretty unique. Boston College and Georgia Tech have trains that run nearby their stadiums, but I'm not sure many other schools have anything like this.

The 6 mile SE Line, which easily cost $1B+ to build, has the following stops:

The Theater District (downtown)
Minute Maid Park (Astros) with the Toyota Center (Rockets) a short walk
Dynamo Stadium (which also hosts Texas Southern football)
New UH Football Stadium & Hofheinz Pavilion (UH basketball arena)

It's almost a Stadium or Entertainment line (see Purple line below). It may be finished as early as 2014.

A lot of downtown hotels were built when Houston hosted the Super Bowl in 2004. We now have 4800+ hotel beds downtown. Everything from the Four Seasons to boutique hotels to the Holiday Inn.

Visiting fans can stay downtown, partake of the dowtown Houston nightlife, ride the train to the game and back, and ride another train to access the Midtown nightlife. An all-day Metro rail pass is $4.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8a/Southeast_Purple_Line_Map.pdf

Here's an aerial view. The SE Line will start below this picture in the Theater District, cross Main St and have a stop between Minute Maid field and the George R Brown convention center. Discovery Green park and the Toyota Center are within walking distance from that stop.

Once the line passes the ballpark, it jogs left then back right and passes by the left side of the Dynamo soccer stadium at the top of the picture.

After it passes by the Dynamo stadium, the line will veer right and head towards the UH campus where there will be a stop at Scott & Cleburne, a short walk to the new Football Stadium and Hofheinz Pavilion, home of Cougar basketball and volleyball. There are two other campus stops on the line, one of which is next to a lot of satellite stadium parking. Fans can park in the satellite lots and hop on the next train to the stadium if they don't want to walk 15 minutes.

By the way, the $40M Hofheinz renovation project is about to kick off.

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2204/screenshot20130301at113.png

CougarRed

March 2nd, 2013, 06:24 AM

Some recent construction photos:

February 20, 2013 (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.524297534260244.113161.137833459573322&type=3)

March 1, 2013 (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.528292550527409.1073741825.137833459573322&type=1)

Home Team tunnel heading down towards the field:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BES7kI8CMAAwqlF.jpg:large

CougarRed

March 14th, 2013, 07:05 AM

As part of the light rail project coming down Scott Street, the City of Houston will encroach on two UH football practice fields. Metro will pay for those fields will be reoriented, which UH has requested to be finished by August 1, 2013 (in time for fall camp).

While they are re-orienting the fields, UH will pay for one of the fields to be converted to an artificial surface given that our stadium turf will be artificial.

Landscapes Unlimited (http://www.landscapesunlimited.com/specialties/sports-recreation) won the bid. They will be installing UBU S5-M (http://www.ubusports.com/products/speed.htm), which is currently in use at:

Superdome (since 2010)
Paul Brown Stadium (since 2012)
Aloha Stadium (since 2011)
Metrodome (since 2011)

Source (http://ridemetro.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=5&event_id=257&meta_id=3608)

No indication whether this means our stadium turf will also be UBU S5-M.