Gillette Stadium facelift work on the anvil

Article posted by Coliseum, December 16^th, 2021

Image: New England Patriots

Beginning in early 2022, construction of the most dramatic Gillette Stadium improvements since its opening in 2002 will begin in the North end of the stadium. This project will feature a completely reimagined plaza leading into the stadium, including a new and enhanced lighthouse. Inside the stadium, there will be a prominent new HD videoboard as well as new and improved concession locations and other fan amenities. In Gillette Stadium’s first 20 years, the Kraft family invested more than $300 million on stadium enhancements. This new project, including the South end zone renovations made last off-season, will total an additional $225 million investment, which reflects the family’s continued commitment to the Gillette Stadium fan experience for the next 20 years. The construction is scheduled for completion prior to the 2023 National Football League (NFL) season.

The ‘New England Patriots’ stated that the transformation of the North end of Gillette Stadium will be defined by 75,000-sq ft of glass-enclosed year-round hospitality and function spaces that bridge the gap between the East and West Putnam Clubs, the Dell Technologies Suite Levels and the upper concourse. All levels of the stadium will have 360-degree connectivity, a feature that is currently only available on the main concourse.

The 65,878-capacity Gillette Stadium is a stadium in the Northeastern United States, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 28 miles Southwest of downtown Boston and 20 miles Northeast of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It opened 19 years ago in 2002, replacing the adjacent Foxboro Stadium.

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference East division.

In addition, the renovation will include the largest outdoor stadium HD video wall in the country, measuring 370’ x 60’. The 22,200 square feet of videoboard space will be nearly double the size of the new South end zone videoboard. The curved radius HD videoboard will provide game action, replays, statistics, and fantasy football updates.

The ‘New England Patriots’ further stated that the architectural bridge and lighthouse have served as the stadium’s signature view. This new development will feature a much bigger, more prominent lighthouse, standing 218-feet high, complete with a 360-degree observation deck at the top, providing sweeping views of the stadium, the game field, Patriot Place, and beyond. This one-of-a-kind observation deck will be accessible to fans visiting Gillette Stadium year-round and available for private events.

The fan entrance into the North end of Gillette Stadium will also be renovated. It includes the relocation of the entry gates to create a new fan-activation area upon entry to the lower plaza. A landscaped staircase will lead guests up to the main concourse, where fans will have a view of the field looking toward the South end zone videoboard and the New England Patriots’ six Super Bowl banners.

After privately financing the construction of Gillette Stadium, the Kraft family has continually reinvested in stadium improvements to keep the fan experience ahead of the ever-evolving sports and entertainment industry trends. Some of the most notable additions in recent years were communal fan gathering spaces, including the Optum Field Lounge, the Encore Terrace and the Cross Insurance Pavilion and Business Center. There have been numerous other enhancements made, including the addition of ribbon boards, videoboards, WiFi, and innovative concession upgrades. In 2021, the South end of Gillette Stadium underwent significant renovations which incorporated a modern and more streamlined concession area on the main concourse and a new, higher-definition videoboard that is 70 percent larger than the one it replaced.

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