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Tag Archives: Arena Mayhem
Plans Unveiled For Third Street Arena Pedway
Model of proposed pedway (by Architectural Glass Art)
A new 860-space parking garage at the Galt House is already under construction on Third Street which includes a pedway parallel to Third providing visual screening from the blank wall of the Galt House’s Ballroom. A second pedway across Third Street connecting to the arena now appears to be a reality after it had been in jeopardy over financing.
Financial details are still being worked out, but what we have now is a design that will eventually be in place by the end of the year – and it’s quite structurally unique. Ken von Roenn, president and lead designer at Architectural Glass Art, designed the pedway to include a structural glass canopy with iridescent dichroic glass that changes color depending on the light.
There are already several examples of this colorful glass around the Galt House and Downtown. Another pedway across Main Street also designed by von Roenn several years ago includes a dichroic glass sculpture and the Galt House recently installed glass tulips on its Conservatory over Fourth Street. The new parking garage will also feature dichroic glass sconces on its pedway to Main Street.
When there is no daylight to bring about the playful nature of this glass, the new pedway across Third will also feature an interactive light display that senses when someone is walking inside. Like its counterpart across Main Street, this pedway will be a work of art.
Perhaps most interesting, though, is the structural nature of the glass. The supporting platform will obviously include steel, but everything above will be glass with slender columns comprised of three pieces of 3/8″ sheets laminated together. Interestingly, glass is stronger than steel in similar applications and entire houses have been built of nothing but glass (Just remember not to throw stones). Imagine those fancy glass staircases at the flagship Apple stores.
While many urbanists remain skeptical about pedways and their affect on sidewalk vitality, I believe this example is worth the investment. Not only is it a dynamic piece of artwork, but it’s location is mid-block and far removed from the corner of Third and Main Streets. With the arena expected to host large events, this pedway could help pedestrians cross a street that might otherwise be clogged with cars. There will be so much to see and do directly around the arena on all sides that there shouldn’t be a problem attracting people to the sidewalks.
Architectural Glass Art was founded in Louisville in 1875 and is responsible for many dynamic art installations found throughout the city and nation.
PrintArena Mayhem: A Whale Of A Building
Is the arena a whale?
While walking down Witherspoon Street not too long ago, I was taking a few photos of the dramatic contour of the roof of the new arena. From this particular vantage point east of the arena, the structure is fully visible.
Then it hit me, the arena isn’t a toaster or an all-in-one printer-copier-fax as some have jabbed in the past. From this angle, it doesn’t even look all that much like its twin in Liverpool.
It appears to be, in fact, a whale.
Just check out the sinuous curving roofline. What was supposed to evoke the flowing waters of the Ohio River rushing over the falls has turned out to be a beached porpoise, corralled inland by I-64. It’s even got its own blowhole, pictured below. Those condensing units, in the right situation, will be emitting vapor into the air.
Is this analogy a little too harsh? Iconic forms are always going to bring secondary images to mind. For more info on the ideas of iconic architecture, check out this interview with architect Charles Jencks or the blog Eikongraphia which documents iconic architecture from around the world.
What do you see when you look at the arena? Do you like the design?
Is the arena a whale?
Is the arena a whale?
Inside The Arena: The View From The Nosebleeds
Construction Inside The Arena (Courtesy Arena Authority, Mayor's Office)
We’ve spent a lot of time documenting the exterior construction of the new arena, but we agree the interior is kind of important as well. Imagine yourself and 21,999 other fans on opening night just a mere ten and a half months from now. Now that the arena bowl is nearly complete, these panoramas offer quite a dramatic view. Take a look at the construction worker walking across one of the steel trusses for a little scale.
Snapshot: Arena Floodwall Installed
Second Street Floodwall
Take a look at the new floodwall and gate recently installed under the Second Street Bridge at the arena site. The new gate is distinct from other gates around Louisville and features doors that swing on hinges rather than using pieces set in place during times of emergency. One side of the gate reads “Ohio River” and the other says “Louisville.” The design looks good but slightly distracts from the stone arch of the Clark Bridge. A minor inconvenience, I suppose, to keep the city dry when the river decides to behave badly.
Arena Mayhem: Monumental Edition
Arena Construction (Photo courtesy Steve Wiser)
The arena keeps on going. I stopped by the construction site Friday and found the usual construction buzz with dozens of workers scurrying about the concrete structure. Some were removing formwork on the concrete fountain along Main Street, others were welding supports on the eastern facade, and others were preparing the many escalators that have been delivered to the site.
A massive steel structure that will one day form the arena’s lobby is beginning to take shape on Main Street and the roof and curve have made a lot of progress. From the Second Street Bridge, you can get the first glimpses into the rooms formed by the giant northern curve.
Overall, the scale of the arena is making itself known. You can literally feel its presence when passing by. Even several blocks away it still exerts a strong presence.
Two New Businesses Opening Near Arena
New businesses opening near arena (BS File Photo)
Two new businesses received government loans yesterday to open near the arena. A hair salon will be opening in a building at 123 West Main Street being renovated for the Patrick O’Shea’s restaurant and the Bluegrass Brewing Company will be opening at 300 West Main Street in the Louisville Orchestra Building.
Bluegrass Brewing Company owners Patrick and Lamont Hagan plan their third restaurant and second Downtown location on the corner of Third Street and Main Street. BBC will spend $1.4 million to renovate the basement and first floor of the Louisville Orchestra Building which features an elevated first floor and large windows in the basement. Part of the renovation will include a handicap accessible entrance.
The seven-story building, originally called the Kentucky National Bank building, was built in the 1890s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s considered the finest example of Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture on Main Street. Designed by the McDonald Brothers, one of Louisville most prestigious firms, the original cost $100,000 to build and sits on the site of the “Great Fire of 1840″ that started in a chair factory and destroyed a group of commercial buildings at the location.
Katie Thurpen-Langley and Cynthia Nell Cashen received a $50,000 low-interest loan to open their salon on the third floor of the O’Shea’s building above the restaurant and bar. This is exciting news as it shows retail opening up Downtown beyond the sidewalk level. Many businesses do not need direct access to the sidewalk to operate and multiple layers of retail can create a more vibrant density Downtown. Handicap access will be available through a shared elevator.
Renovation work at the Patrick O’Shea’s Restaurant continues to make progress with heating to be operational soon and is on schedule to open next year. Architect Jeff Rawlins of Architectural Artisans says finishing touches are being installed on the large bar on the first floor and salvaged materials from the renovation are being used to create furniture in the restaurant and promote a “hand crafted” feel.
Both of these businesses will add to the vibrancy and livability of Downtown and are welcome additions. Chris Poynter with Mayor Abramson’s office says these announcements show building the arena at a Downtown site was the right choice. It’s clear, he says, that we wouldn’t see the same economic payoff if the arena was located at the Exposition Center. You may also remember that Sol Aztecas Grill and Cantina also plans to open at the Whiskey Row Lofts.
Kentucky National Bank / Lou Orchestra Building (via NPS / NRHP)
Arena Mayhem: Now With 80 Percent More Curve
The Roof That Wanted To Be A Wall (Courtesy Steve Wiser)
There it is in all its glory. The roof of the arena has become a wall. A veritable waterfall one day of glass and steel pouring towards the river. While disciples will suggest it’s a metaphorical reference to the ever changing forces of the urban environment and cynics might call the swooping steel taking one step closer to a giant toaster or photocopier on the wharf, we’ll simply leave you with the photo evidence.
More Roof At The Arena
Arena roof construction (by Go To Louisville (LCVB) via TwitPic)
Here’s another view of the progress on building the arena’s roof from the Louisville Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. Metal decking has already been set and the beginning of the massive roof structure is in place, resting on an equally massive tower of scaffolding. You can also see the concrete bleacher decks have been installed on the northern half.
[ Photo Credit: Go To Louisville twitter / Louisville Convention & Visitors' Bureau via TwitPic. ]
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