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Patriots’ Gillette Stadium Project Completed
Earlier this month, the New England Patriots celebrated the completion of their $250 million North End renovation project, just in time for the 2023 National Football League season.
The updates to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts are reportedly the “largest and most transformative” since its opening in 2002. Additionally, the stadium’s new Lighthouse observation deck is anticipated to open to the public starting in October.
About the Project
Starting on the north end, crews redesigned the plaza leading into the stadium and plan to construct a new and enhanced lighthouse. According to the Patriots, the architectural bridge and lighthouse have served as the stadium's signature view.
This new development features a larger, more prominent lighthouse, standing 218-feet high and complete with a 360-degree observation deck at the top. The observation deck will be open to fans year-round, offering views of the stadium, the game field, Patriot Place and beyond.
The fan entrance into the north end of Gillette Stadium was also revitalized. This portion of the project involved relocating the entry gates to create a new fan-activation area upon entry to the lower plaza. Crews are also planning to build a landscaped staircase to the main concourse, where fans are met with a view of the field looking toward the south end zone video board and the New England Patriots’ six Super Bowl banners.
Gillette Stadium's $250M renovation is complete ??
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) September 8, 2023
The project features the largest outdoor curved video board and a 22-story lighthouse.
(via @Patriots) pic.twitter.com/185e0CuAWz
The north entrance to Gillette Stadium, which is adjacent to the Patriots Pro Shop, the Patriots Hall of Fame Presented by Raytheon Technologies, and the grand staircase to Patriot Place reportedly underwent an entire revamp as well. Existing event-day gates were to be relocated and redesigned.
In addition, the north end of Gillette Stadium saw the construction of a 75,000-square feet of glass-enclosed year-round hospitality and function space that plans to bridge the gap between the East and West Putnam Clubs, the Dell Technologies Suite Levels and the upper concourse.
All levels of the stadium are slated to have 360-degree connectivity, a feature that is currently only available on the main concourse.
Inside the stadium, there is a prominent new HD video board, as well as new and improved concession locations and other fan amenities. Expected to be the largest outdoor stadium high-definition video board in the country, the board measures 22,000 square feet—which was anticipated to be nearly double the size of the new south end zone video board.
The curved radius HD video board will provide game action, replays, statistics and fantasy football updates.
This phase of renovation was reportedly completed by general construction firm Suffolk, who was awarded the contract in February 2022. The news arrived just months after the Patriots announced that the stadium would be receiving major upgrades.
Since opening in 2002, the Gillette Stadium has reportedly received over $300 million in stadium enhancements by professional sports company The Kraft Group.
Reno Completion, Lighthouse Opening
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Sept. 7, with the Kraft family and Gillette Stadium officials joined by stadium partners.
“When we built Gillette Stadium in 2002, we were intentional in making sure the space would be able to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our fans. I am proud, that over the last 20 years, our first priority has been to provide the best guest experience possible for all visitors to the stadium and this project will transform and upgrade the fan experience at Patriots games, Revolution matches, concerts and special events for years to come,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group.
“We are grateful to our partners and sponsors for their hard work and dedication on this project and we look forward to welcoming fans home to the renovated stadium this weekend.”
According to the Patriots’ press release, notable highlights of the renovation include the largest outdoor curved-radius videoboard at a sports venue in the country, a new 50,000 square foot function space overlooking the game field and the newly reimagined Enel Plaza.
The improvements also include the Ticketmaster entry canopy, a remodeled Row of Honor, the Bud Light Celebration Beer Hall, the Pepsi Grab & Go, connectivity on the Upper concourse for movement east to west, increased restroom capacity, and permanent bars and concession locations featuring new product offerings.
At the ceremony, officials also announced the stadium's new Lighthouse will open to the general public on Sunday, Oct. 1. The structure is 22 stories tall with a 360-degree observation deck, designed to reflect New England’s coastal history of lighthouses.
“The previous Lighthouse served as an iconic architectural element of our stadium for 20 years, so it was important to incorporate a functional component into our renovation,” said Jen Ferron, Chief Marketing Officer, Kraft Sports + Entertainment.
The Lighthouse’s observation deck, named the Lookout, provides views of the Boston and Providence skylines and offers guests the use of a stationary camera to capture a hands-free photo. These photos can also be compiled into a digital mosaic displayed on screens at the stadium.
