HNTB last week unveiled new designs and models of the proposed San Francisco 49ers stadium in Santa Clara.
Costing an estimated $987 million, the new 68,500-seat stadium will “create the sense of something special,” says architect Fernando Vasquez of HNTB, the project’s designer. HNTB says the new stadium project is designed with many sustainable elements and will be expandable to host premier events such as the Super Bowl. The stadium is also being designed to accommodate Major League Soccer and World Cup events
Vasquez adds that the design includes tributes to California architecture and themes, including seat colors representing three different red wines from the state.
Plans for a new parking structure were not mentioned during the unveiling ceremony and it is still unclear as to whether there will be a new structure built or if the team will use nearby existing facilities and public transportation.
Officials say the venue, which is not yet fully funded, should open in time for the 2015 football season and will be located next to the Great America theme park.
Recent press reports have indicated that the National Football League may instead push a joint-use stadium plan that includes another local team needing new facilities, the Oakland Raiders.