The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Dallas Stars have selected HNTB as the lead design firm for the team’s proposed new arena in Plano, North Texas.
HNTB said the new arena is envisioned as an intimate and energetic home ice environment that reflects the passion of the Dallas Stars’ fan base.
Designed as the centerpiece of a broader mixed-use district, the Dallas Stars’ new arena development will create a year-round destination that brings together sports, entertainment, retail and community experiences in a way that extends well beyond game days.
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas (US). The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference.
The team currently plays at the 19,323-seat American Airlines Center (AAC) located in the Victory Park neighborhood in downtown Dallas, Texas (US).
Earlier this summer Plano City Council approved using $700 million in public money toward building what is a roughly $1 billion arena district at The Shops of Willow Bend (an upscale shopping mall). The Dallas Stars plan to make Plano their new home by 2031.
HNTB said it was selected for the Dallas Stars’ new arena project because of its integrated approach to architecture, planning and district design, as well as its long history of creating sports venues that strengthen fan identity and connect seamlessly with surrounding mixed-use environments.
The firm’s collaborative process and deep understanding of the North Texas community will help shape a destination that reflects the ambition of the Dallas Stars organization and the character of the region.
Tom Gaglardi, Dallas Stars owner, governor and chairman, said, “We are thrilled to officially announce the selection of HNTB.
“The wealth of experience and knowledge that their team brings to the table will allow us to create the best arena in the NHL. Many of the premier facilities in professional and collegiate sports were designed by HNTB, and we are excited to begin the process for our new home in Plano.”
Located west of the Dallas North Tollway, the proposed mixed-use development, being advanced with the ownership of The Shops at Willow Bend, includes sports, entertainment, retail, dining and public gathering spaces anchored by a future Dallas Stars arena.
The Dallas Stars’ new arena project is envisioned as a year-round destination for the community while strengthening the team’s connection to its North Texas fan base.
Doug Mann, HNTB corporate president and project executive, said, “The Dallas Stars have a clear and ambitious vision for a new home that delivers an exceptional experience for fans, players and the broader North Texas community.
“HNTB is committed to bringing the full strength of our sports design practice and our deep local presence to create an arena that is authentic to the Stars, built for Texas hockey and positioned to serve the community for generations.”
HNTB is a leading designer of sports and entertainment destinations, bringing together architects, planners, engineers and technical specialists to create places that elevate the fan experience, strengthen communities and support long-term client success.
Ryan Gedney, HNTB chief design officer added, “The most memorable arenas become part of the identity of a city and its people.
“Our goal is to create a home that is unmistakably rooted in the identity of the Dallas Stars, one that captures the passion and intensity of hockey while reflecting the unique character and culture of North Texas. Great arenas create unforgettable moments, but the very best become places that communities embrace every day of the year.
“By seamlessly integrating the arena with an active, year-round district, we have an opportunity to establish a new benchmark for how sports, entertainment and community come together to create lasting value for fans, the franchise and the region.”
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