Central Bank Center Renovation (Rupp Arena)
Aging sports and entertainment venues, even those with historic legacies, need to modernize the experience of patrons and engage the surrounding community to keep pace. The redesign of Central Bank Center, which includes the iconic Rupp Arena and a convention center, transforms the storied facility into a modern prototype for entertainment that connects with the surrounding city through a transparent, inviting experience.
Renovations to historic Rupp Arena include an enlarged concourse, new suite level and amenities and an iconic new architectural facade. The two-tier appearance of the 1976 building has been preserved, while the original structural towers are rehabilitated as a wayfinding element. New exhibition space, ballrooms and meeting spaces at the adjacent convention center help to form a true civic hub, creating a new center of gravity for the city.
Features
The renovated arena includes a center-hung scoreboard, LED ribbon board, suite level and observation deck.
Project Details
Client Name
City of Lexington
Square Footage
850,000 SF
Program
21,500 seats
Services
Architecture, Interior design, environmental graphics
(Design collaboration with EOP)
Phase
Construction
Client Name
City of Lexington
Square Footage
850,000 SF
Program
21,500 seats
Services
Architecture, Interior design, environmental graphics
(Design collaboration with EOP)
Phase
Construction
AIA Kentucky Citation Award for Design Excellence
AIA Los Angeles, Honor Award, Next LA
AIA Kentucky Citation Award for Design Excellence
AIA Los Angeles, Honor Award, Next LA
CBS Sports, “Rupp Arena set to undergo massive renovations”
ESPN, “Kentucky plans Rupp Arena renovation”
Forbes, "Rupp Arena Renovations Bring New Look To Kentucky Basketball"
Lexington Herald-Leader, “Architectural firm selected for Rupp's re-invention”
NBC Sports, “Rupp Arena to undergo $310 million renovation”
NCAA, “Kentucky's 38-year-old Rupp Arena to undergo renovations”
Sports Business Journal,
Sports Business Journal, "Rupp arena debuts new look, amenities"
Sports Illustrated, “Rupp Arena renovation plans include new facade”
CBS Sports, “Rupp Arena set to undergo massive renovations”
ESPN, “Kentucky plans Rupp Arena renovation”
Forbes, "Rupp Arena Renovations Bring New Look To Kentucky Basketball"
Lexington Herald-Leader, “Architectural firm selected for Rupp's re-invention”
NBC Sports, “Rupp Arena to undergo $310 million renovation”
NCAA, “Kentucky's 38-year-old Rupp Arena to undergo renovations”
Sports Business Journal,
Sports Business Journal, "Rupp arena debuts new look, amenities"
Sports Illustrated, “Rupp Arena renovation plans include new facade”
