Baseball fans got a glimpse last week of what could become the Las Vegas Strip's newest, boldest landmark in a few years. The Oakland Athletics, who have received Major League Baseball's blessing to move the franchise to Las Vegas, have released renderings of the proposed ballpark, described by its designer as a "spherical armadillo" in apperance.
The Athletics intend to build a $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat ballpark on a nine-acre portion of the 35-acre site where the Tropicana now stands. The A's are working to have their new home in Las Vegas ready for the 2028 season. The Nevada Legislature approved $350 million in public funding for the venue last year, when the A's released initial renderings.
Creating an outdoor feel with views of the city's skyline and conquering southern Nevada's scorching summer temperatures were major goals of the design team.
The fixed roof's five overlapping layers are inspired by traditional baseball pennants. They open to the north to allow for natural light and views of the Strip and limit direct sunlight and heat from the south. The outfield features what the team said is the world's largest cable-net glass window, facing the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas boulevards. A planned 18,000-square-foot scoreboard would make it the largest in the league.
The team behind the design
Bjarke Ingels Group is the design lead, and HNTB is the sports/hospitality designer and architect of record.
"Our design for the new Vegas home for the A's is conceived in response to the unique culture and climate of the city,'" said Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of the design firm.
The stadium's look has been described as a "spherical armadillo" by its designer. Photo Credit: Athletics / Bjarke Ingels Group
"The resultant architecture is like a spherical armadillo, shaped by the local climate, while opening and inviting the life of the Strip to enter and explore. In the city of spectacle, the A's 'armadillo' is designed for passive shading and natural light -- the architectural response to the Nevada climate generating a new kind of vernacular icon in Vegas."
The tiered design of the split upper and lower seating bowls will bring fans close to the action and provide clear sight lines from every seat, officials said.
"The collaboration between BIG's creativity and HNTB's technical expertise allows for a truly innovative and bold design while ensuring an unmatched fan experience," said John Fisher, owner and managing partner of the A's. "We hope to add to the dynamic atmosphere and liveliness of the Las Vegas Strip, creating a welcoming environment for all of Southern Nevada."
Beyond the ballpark
The ballpark plan supports up to 2,500 on-site parking spots. A two- to three-acre plaza would start from the Strip and extend to the ballpark's main concourse.
Bally's and Gaming and Leisure Properties, which owns the land underneath the Tropicana buildings, will work with the A's on concepts for how a new resort would fit with the stadium.
"The A's have created a remarkable design that adds to the rich fabric of must-see attractions in Las Vegas," Bally's chairman Soo Kim said. "This is a once-in-a-generation project, and we are thrilled for the opportunity to develop a comprehensive site plan at this iconic location. We look forward to sharing more on our plan in due course."