By Khalida Sarwari
Fans entering the brand new stadium for the San Francisco 49ers four years from now in Santa Clara might feel as if they have stepped inside a Roman amphitheatre.
One of the project’s lead designers, at an unveiling of the design plan in Santa Clara this morning for the planned $987 million, 68,500-seat stadium, made the comparison while holding photos of ancient Roman amphitheatres.
“We love the metaphor because we think the 49ers’ level of play elevated to a beautiful thing,” designer Fernando Vasquez said. “This building will create that sense of something special.”
Vasquez and his design partner Tim Cahill, both with architecture firm HNTB, said they were conscious of incorporating the California lifestyle into the plan.
The designers envisioned an open-air multi-purpose facility resembling a C-shaped bowl surrounded by ascending seating suitable for professional and college football, as well as professional soccer, motocross, concerts, and Super Bowl and World Cup events.
The venue will feature four levels of suites, and throughout the stadium, seats with colors of three different California red wines.
At its base, the building will feature retail shops that would be open year-round.
The design plan did not take parking into account because there are existing lots, garages and public transportation within a short walking distance from the stadium.
The stadium is expected to open next to the Great America theme park in time for the 2015 football season.
Vasquez and Cahill said they are continuing to fine-tune aspects of the design plan.