Insights into 6 design proposals for the renovation of the Florida Gators football stadium

GAINESVILLE – What should the Florida Gators expect from a nine-figure renovation of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium?

Six design teams presented their responses in the form of formal requests for proposals to redevelop The Swamp. One group, Crawford Architects and Gensler, divided the proposals into three themes:

• Improve the fan experience

• Extension of the stadium lifespan

• Sales maximization

Crawford and Gensler are exploring those topics after signing a $4.7 million contract in January. The contract lists the construction budget at $300 million, although the Gators have estimated the total price tag at more than $400 million.

At a recent trustee meeting, UF athletic director Scott Stricklin said the Gators are in an information-gathering phase. So are we. The Tampa Bay Times recently used public records laws to view the proposals. Rather than get lost in details that may never come to light, we offered some rough, hypothetical sketches of how UF could modernize its historic, 94-year-old, 88,550-seat football stadium. Anybody up for some shade?

Better fan experience

Some suggestions are obvious: new restrooms, improved concessions with online ordering and to-go options, boxes, end zone clubs, better seating for families.

Other ideas were more interesting. D'Agostino Izzo Quirk Architects (D'AIQ) used its experience renovating the Rose Bowl to create a splendor that “goes beyond the entrances, photo moments, signage…” And that doesn't just mean Instagrammable backgrounds; it also means thinking about what the “signature footprint” looks like from an airship so it looks picturesque from the couch.

OSPORTS mentioned boxes and tunnel clubs at pitch level to create “immersive experiences”. With younger spectators preferring communal experiences, fan seats and social areas could make sense.

For the north entrance, Davis Architects proposed an expanded club area and concourse with a redesigned plaza landscape to spice up the team's arrival (the Gator Walk). For the south side, UF could add a student plaza, more common spaces, and a grand staircase for a pseudo-corner atrium. Replace ramps with elevators or stairs. Add a new deck. Straighten a portion of Gale Lemerand Road to liven up game days and increase pedestrian friendliness. Could the stadium offices be relocated to increase seating along the west side? How about a shaded patio area?

At least two other bids specifically mentioned shade as something the school would need to consider. Davis included hydration. Another company, HNTB, said canopies could help, but better air circulation in the halls also cools fans.

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Discover all your possibilities

In his 2022 study of The Swamp, Crawford presented options for a pure renovation, a renovation/reconstruction and a new stadium. Capacities ranged from nearly 83,000 (with a new stadium) to 75,000-80,000 with renovations. Each scenario included more suites – in some cases doubling the number. Club seating would increase from 5,664 to over 8,000 with some renovations.

Extension of the stadium lifespan

Adaptability – or as OSPORTS called it, “future-proofing” – is of paramount importance in such a large and costly project.

HOK reminded the Gators that technology is changing exponentially and fans' priorities will change with it.

“This should change our view of traditional stadium architecture as we want to create spaces that can be quickly transformed to meet future trends,” the speech said.

The group proposed movable walls to easily reconfigure seating, create power outlets, and house cutting-edge technology in premium areas (which could also be used for high-profile meetings). UF also had to consider the possibility of future development in or near the stadium.

Davis wrote that the player development/recruitment areas will likely need to be “refreshed” every few years with audio, video and branding that helps young players imagine themselves on the field being cheered on by a packed house.

Sales maximization

According to HNTB, outdoor club seats (not suites or box seats) are usually the best investment. Founder's suites are good if they are close to the playing field.

But those kinds of decisions seemed less important than versatility. HNTB emphasized that “the venue is bigger than the venue itself.” That means seats, aisles and everything else in and around the stadium “must be designed with flexibility in mind to maximize use on non-game days.” D'AIQ pointed to the farmers markets and football games the Rose Bowl has added to its calendar.

Crawford/Gensler have submitted plans for “hospitality, concerts, events, meetings/conferences and other academic events.” Gensler is also working on the Historic Gas Plant District in St. Petersburg, where the Rays' new stadium is located.

Crawford and Gensler also addressed an easily overlooked financial option: setting a minimum seating capacity when parts of the stadium are unusable due to construction. Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium, for example, is expected to be more than 20,000 seats short during renovations this year.

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