Sun Life Stadium renovation begins, see new renderings

Sun Life Stadium renovation begins, see new renderings

The $400 million renovation of Sun Life Stadium is underway as the Miami Dolphins look to revamp the seating chart before their next season begins.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is funding the improvements himself, with some financing from the NFL. Miami-Dade County has agreed to financially reward the Dolphins if the venue attracts major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, the college football playoffs or international soccer matches.

The seating at Sun Life Stadium will shrink to 65,326 from 76,081 before the next Dolphin game this fall. Front sideline seats will now be 24 feet closer to the field, so the fans won’t be set so far back from the game.

The team is also rebuilding the 100 level and 300 level concourses.

“Walking out and seeing the seats being removed for the first time was a satisfying realization that it’s actually happening,” Dolphins President and CEO Tom Garfinkel said in a news release. “Steve Ross’ commitment to making sure that South Florida has a world-class facility for the long-term future for the Dolphins and for marquee global events is the reason that this is finally taking place.”

The University of Miami Hurricanes also play at Sun Life Stadium.

In the 2016 offseason, the Dolphins will begin the second phase of the renovations, which includes a canopy that will shade most of the spectators, four huge high-definition video boards, and a redesigned concourse on the 200 level.

“Certainly the most important thing, to Steve and to everyone else in the organization, is bringing back the proud, winning tradition of the Miami Dolphins,” Garfinkel said. “But we are also trying to provide the best experience in the stadium itself, including being able to provide shade to fans, particularly on those very hot September 1 p.m. starts; secondly, bringing the seats closer to the field and having it feel intimate like a football stadium and not like a multi-use stadium; and third, really studying and working hard at trying to solve the traffic challenges that we’ve had in terms of people coming in and out of the stadium.”

Miami hopes to convince the NFL to hold the 2019 Super Bowl at its stadium. That vote will take place in May 2016.

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Story By: Brian Bandell – Jan 20, 2015, 11:45am EST
Photo Courtesy: Biz Journals & Jeff Davis

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