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Toyota Park
Award of Merit: Sports & Entertainment
The 20,000-seat Toyota Park at 71st and Harlem streets in
Bridgeview, Ill., serves as the home of the Chicago Fire Major
League Soccer Team, the fourth major soccer-specific stadium
in the U.S.
The facility also functions as a venue for concerts and shows.
The 375,275-sq.-ft., five-level stadium was constructed on
a 75-acre site and includes a practice field, 3,300-car parking
lot, landscaping and infrastructure.
The east stadium provides of 18,500 sq. ft. of administration
space and 85,000 sq. ft. of locker rooms, training and stadium
support space. The third level has a pro shop, 20 suites, major
concourse, concessions and restrooms, and the fourth level has
22 suites, indoor club, terrace club, broadcast and press areas.
Seeking an Intimate Venue
The most notable goal was that to have an intimate venue
so that fans are connected to the game. There is only 21 ft.
from the sideline of the field to the first row of seating,
whereas a typical National Football League venue could be
40 ft. or more.
Bridgeview recognized the impact the stadium would have on
the community, and the stadium will serve as a catalyst in
the soccer-rich south suburbs. The area is home to more than
5.5 million people of Latino or European descent, many having
strong ties to soccer.
Key goals included the integrity of the playing field, exterior
masonry installation, berms, connectivity with future retail
and entertainment development, appropriate reflection of Chicago's
architectural and soccer history and multi-use capabilities
for quick changeovers.
Construction materials included 210,000 tons of gravel for
the berms; 18,000 cu. yds. of concrete for foundations, concourse
slabs, walls, decks and the seating bowl; and 227 mi. of wiring
for power.
The $1.7 million field system is outfitted with a heating
system with solution of hot water and glycol designed to maintain
optimum temperatures during cold weather. The drainage system
includes 4-in. perforated pipes spaced 25 ft. apart the length
of the field.
The stage boasts a built-in 100,000-lb. capacity rigging grid
for lights and gear and is 128 ft. tall and 39 ft. wide and
can be extended an additional 15 ft. to measure 7,200 sq.
ft. It also has a light-emitting-diode video board.
Jury Comments: "Holy cow, it's big! We had little idea
that this was such a developed project. It has the cantilevered
structure, it will hold entertainment and it's an elaborate
structure. It's a nice addition for the South Suburbs."
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