The arena should stand as a symbol of civic ambition to succeed as both a venue for the Sixers and as a Philadelphia landmark.
by Harris M. Steinberg, For The InquirerThe proposed arena is to be built on public land. It will be the gateway to the city for transit riders arriving from the station below. It will be a commanding presence on East Market Street, and it will be built amidst buildings of distinction. Therefore, the proposed arena must be more than just a sports venue. It must be iconic — a true civic landmark.
The current design proposal appears as a stand-alone suburban arena swathed in bright digital signage despite its urban setting. It suggests a building that prioritizes function over inspiration. The facade should communicate, “This is Center City Philadelphia”; instead, it could easily be in any other sports complex in any other American city or suburb.A building of 76 Place’s scale and prominence will inevitably shape perceptions of Market Street and the city.
San Francisco’s Chase Center conveys a similar iconic presence along the waterfront while also being integrated into the urban fabric of Mission Bay. The arena employs high-quality materials reminiscent of its surroundings, offers expansive exterior public plazas, and uses transparent design elements to connect the arena’s interior with its surroundings.
Can the design be more transparent to foster openness and connectivity? The placement of significant amounts of operational facilities on the ground floor creates a visual barrier from the street that could make the arena feel closed off and disconnected. While the current proposal includes upper-floor transparency along Market Street, the concept should be pushed further.
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