Shell Energy Stadium

[Stan Collins]

Why do the Dynamo want to build such a small stadium compares to other MLS venues? Being in Houston, there should be plenty of demand to satisfy at least a 25,000 seat stadium. I don't get it. If they do build it to hold 20,000, they better make sure it will be expandable for future growth. Don't the Dynamo have pretty good attendance as well?

I'm pretty sure it will be expandable. That seems to be the 'plan' for MLS stadiums these days--build relatively small to build up a season ticket base (going by attendance at past Dynamo playoff games, you won't be able to get playoff tickets unless you either have a season or are willing to scalp), then when they have a waiting list for seasons they expand the stadium. This seems to be what's being done in Toronto and Philadelphia.

[lockmat]

I'm pretty sure it will be expandable. That seems to be the 'plan' for MLS stadiums these days--build relatively small to build up a season ticket base (going by attendance at past Dynamo playoff games, you won't be able to get playoff tickets unless you either have a season or are willing to scalp), then when they have a waiting list for seasons they expand the stadium. This seems to be what's being done in Toronto and Philadelphia.

But this stadium is built on city blocks, and their verbage seems to say that the size stadium they're building is the biggest they can build on this sized lot. That or they're just being very ambiguous, not that they need to be precise concerning this right now, anyway.

[20thStDad]

I hope they put in a dungeon and elevators to raise up lions and other carnivores at random so they can feast on the wussy injury fakers.

[skwatra]

I think there will be plenty of home games and all the playoffs where it will be hard to get tickets.

average attendance

regular season/playoffs

2006: 18,935/20,274

2007: 15,883/30,530

2008: 16,939/30,053

2009: 17,047/27,465

The limitation on the number of seats is financial (from articles last year). But I do remember hearing about future expansions, though this was well before the site was settled on.

[crunchtastic]

This is all very exciting. Be sure to tell me when Houston soccer hysteria reaches the point that I can rent out my well-appointed study to 2 or 3 hot Croatian dudes for a $1,000 a week.

I missed the Super Bowl in Houston, so I fully expect to be able to cash in on proximity to the new Dynamo stadium.

[KinkaidAlum]

This is all very exciting. Be sure to tell me when Houston soccer hysteria reaches the point that I can rent out my well-appointed study to 2 or 3 hot Croatian dudes for a $1,000 a week.

I missed the Super Bowl in Houston, so I fully expect to be able to cash in on proximity to the new Dynamo stadium.

You can make WAY more money by convincing your neighbors to rent out their home to 2 or 3 hot Croatian dudes and then turn around and rent out your house to a bunch of gay men who can stalk them. Central/Eastern Euro porn is all the rage.

[wernicke]

You can make WAY more money by convincing your neighbors to rent out their home to 2 or 3 hot Croatian dudes and then turn around and rent out your house to a bunch of gay men who can stalk them. Central/Eastern Euro porn is all the rage.

Pretty strange statement.

[AtticaFlinch]

Pretty strange statement.

No doubt. Everyone knows Scandanavian Euro porn is actually all the rage.

[KinkaidAlum]

They don't call them HUNGarians for nothin'.

[lockmat]

Manchester United will play vs. MLS all-stars in the MLS all-star game in a few months at Reliant Stadium. I wonder if we even had our new stadium up by now if they would play there? I doubt it; kinda sad in a way, but at the same time understandable.

http://www.nj.com/soccer-news/index.ssf/2010/05/manchester_united_to_face_mls.html

[20thStDad]

Manchester United will play vs. MLS all-stars in the MLS all-star game in a few months at Reliant Stadium. I wonder if we even had our new stadium up by now if they would play there? I doubt it; kinda sad in a way, but at the same time understandable.

http://www.nj.com/so...o_face_mls.html

That should easily draw over 21,000 so even if it was built I think they would be having this at Reliant. They might even fill that place.

[skwatra]

In the past, the MLS game has been played at soccer specific stadiums if the host had one (Chicago, LA, Toronto, Columbus), even with options to play at bigger stadiums like Reliant. Though I agree that none of the opponents in the past would have had as big of a draw as ManU. But its hard to say where it would have been if the Dynamo stadium was brand new this year.

and I doubt Reliant will fill up, the only sold out match I've seen there is when the Mexico national team was there for the Gold Cup. USMNT doesn't even fill it up completely (though they haven't been here for a Tourne that matters).

[lockmat]

I think Olive Luck said last night that the expect over 10,000 Manu fans to travel with the team throughout their USA tour. That should help.

[LTAWACS]

That sounds like a lot.

[crunchtastic]

That sounds like a lot.

If you've ever wondered what English football hooligans are like, this would be a good time to start drinking at the Richmond Arms. Unlike the relatively mannered ManU fans, lots of Tottenham and Chelsea people there.

[LTAWACS]

I might not understand what they say.

[T 2 THA C]

Looks like Oliver Luck to be named new AD over his alma mater West Virginia.

World Cup fever has me excited about the MlS All star Game. Go Dynamo Go USA!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr. Chenevert]

I probably know more than you do, so I won't take your bet.

I see him here until the completion of the stadium.

Looks like we were both wrong. I was off by 7 months.

[ricco67]

Was driving by a few days ago and I noticed there was some work that was being done on the site. Anyone know if it was just some basic prep-work?

[Trae]

Nice to see! I remember there being an article in the Chron not too long ago saying construction was going to start soon, and they plan on opening the stadium in 2012. They plan on having the Dynamo play a lot of road games during the first couple of weeks in the season, and then have their home opener at the stadium.

[newtex]

Was driving by a few days ago and I noticed there was some work that was being done on the site. Anyone know if it was just some basic prep-work?

That work has nothing to do with the stadium. They are doing street improvements in the area and have been using the empty lots as staging areas. They bring in piles of dirt, or pipe, and then take them away.

You can see one of the improved intersections in the foreground. There where the orange cone is and the new handicapped ramp.

I live in Lofts at the Ballpark and keep a close eye on any work that is actually being done.

[newtex]

OK. Some work that has more to do with the stadium. Centerpoint appears to be working on the electrical lines on the site and getting ready to put in new power poles. Still not actual stadium construction but closer.

[ricco67]

Yay!*

*Disclaimer: drunken posting might ensue today.

[JJVilla]

Two semi-related aspects to be proud of and worth sharing:

• Houston leading in the World Cup Bid Leaderboard for most bid signatures http://www.gousabid....august-24-2010/
• Justice - Soccer not second class in this city: http://www.chron.com....e/7192487.html

[ricco67]

Two semi-related aspects to be proud of and worth sharing:

• Houston leading in the World Cup Bid Leaderboard for most bid signatures http://www.gousabid....august-24-2010/
• Justice - Soccer not second class in this city: http://www.chron.com....e/7192487.html

You mean THIS LINK? HAIF doesn't play well with raw links.

[skwatra]

From Chris Canetti (new President who replaced Luck):

"While on the subject of the new stadium, and coming off of a match that was ridden with football lines, I want to let you know that we do not intend to play soccer games with football lines in the new facility. Texas Southern University will play its home football games there, but we are addressing this situation now so that we can have the proper knowledge, plans, and technology to make sure that our intentions are met."

Edited September 10, 2010 by skwatra

[ricco67]

From Chris Canetti (new President who replaced Luck):

I was kinda' wondering about the lines. Glad to hear they're going to address it since the two seasons have a BIT of an overlap.

[JJxvi]

Populous has added this project to their website.

The Link

[lockmat]

Populous has added this project to their website.

The Link

Finally! Nice catch.

From the link:

The 22,000-seat stadium (with expansion capacity to 30,000 seats) will be designed to feature soccer and accommodate multi-use events such as football, lacrosse, rugby and concerts. The design approach makes use of simple and common materials that refer to the area's industrial heritage, while creating a distinctive civic landmark in an emerging urban neighborhood. A tessellated exterior skin mediates the scale of its context while defining a bold architectural statement in the Houston skyline. Composed of geometrically composed expanded metal sheets and orange polycarbonate infill, this continuous exterior surface surrounds the stadium and provides a dynamic sense of enclosure while enhancing the spectator experience.

Highlighted in orange polycarbonate, articulated openings in the skin range from 3-story general spectator entries to pedestrian scaled ticketing window. The interior concourse continues this theme, with the bowl underside expressed with the team's orange colors to enliven the space.

I really like the idea behind the design and the materials they'll use. This description makes me excited for it to be built.

[JJxvi]

Finally! Nice catch.

From the link:

I really like the idea behind the design and the materials they'll use. This description makes me excited for it to be built.

The renderings on the site are also new/updated although you need to be good at those "spot the difference" cartoon panels to pick up the changes, so that leads me to believe that this is probably very close to the final look we will get.