Turner Construction has broken ground on a $780m soccer stadium for New York City FC in Willets Point, Queens.
Etihad Park will become the city’s first stadium dedicated to (non-American) football, and the first fully electric stadium in the US.
The 25,000-seat ground, designed by US architect HOK, will be powered by rooftop photovoltaics and will have a water reuse system for pitch irrigation.
However, the most dramatic element will be a seven-storey LED-lined entrance to be called “the Cube”.
The ground will have more than 40 private suites, three exclusive clubs and the “City Square”, a plaza for community use. The project also offers shops, restaurants and office spaces, creating what Turner calls “a dynamic hub”.
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Marty Edelman, the vice chair of the club, said the project was conceived 10 years ago. “Today’s groundbreaking brings us one step closer to delivering that promise to our fans and our city,” he said.
Charles Whitney, vice president of Turner, added that the ground would “a landmark for soccer enthusiasts and a cornerstone for the Willets Point community”.
He said: “We deeply appreciate the collaboration with NYC FC, HOK, and our trade partners, and we’re committed to building a facility that reflects the spirit and energy of New York.”
Etihad Park, which will open in time for the 2027 season, is set to benefit from the rapid growth of support for soccer in the US.
A report published in September on the popularity of the sport in the US found that the number of people who self-identified as new fans rose 400% year-on-year.
Turner is a subsidiary of German contractor Hochtief, which is controlled by Spain’s ACS.
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