In honor of Mortenson Construction passing the 50% completion mark of Minnesota United’s Allianz Field, the team held a stadium tour for the media on Thursday. While the exterior of the stadium is visually appealing even without it’s PTFE skin, the interior is even more impressive.
Once inside the 19,400-seat stadium, it appears even larger than the outside—the field is set a story below ground. Yet Allianz Field also feels intimate with seats close to the field and the roof now wrapping around most of the stadium.
Welcome to @MNUFC @allianzfield. Take it in folks, you'll be able to experience it yourself in the spring of 2019. pic.twitter.com/kke6CuWa2r
— Brian Quarstad (@IMSoccerNews) May 3, 2018
Most of the major steel work has been completed and three of the four corners are now connected. The 2,800 safe standing supporters section, often referred to as “the Wonderwall,” is currently being worked on and it’s quite impressive. The 34° angle is steep and the opposition will be facing a wall of Loons supporters.
Here's another view of the upper section of @allianzfield safe standing supporters section. S t e e p. pic.twitter.com/7HPBHSe6TE
— Brian Quarstad (@IMSoccerNews) May 3, 2018
Mortenson’s project manager Greg Huber, reminded everyone that steel was first set into place only in late November. Viewing the stadium it’s hard to believe. The progress made in five months has been stunning. The driver tubes on the exterior which appear to undulate like water, are over 50% completed.
The PTFE exterior skin which will wrap around those tubes has arrived on site and will begin being installed as early as next week. Huber said the LED lights that will illuminate the PTFE from the interior are mostly installed.
The PTFE is a laminated mesh that allows light to to penetrate but most of the material is an opaque silver color. The mesh is closed so no wind or water can penetrate through it. “Architecturally it’s super interesting and will really be a unique stadium in the world,” said Huber.
The workforce on site will increase by at least one hundred workers in the next few weeks. Huber says it will be a busy summer with work focused more on electrical and mechanical.
With the project still on track to be completed mid February 2019, Minnesota United principal owner Bill McGuire said the stadium’s inaugural game is still undetermined but expects it will probably be sometime in April. He added that with the early season and Minnesota winters, it would probably be difficult to schedule any sort of event before that 2019 home opener.
#MNUFC owner Bill McGuire speaks about @allianzfield the design, beauty and fan experience. pic.twitter.com/KgOgESqwOa
— Brian Quarstad (@IMSoccerNews) May 3, 2018
“The combination of architecture and functionality with the game-day experience is pretty overwhelming.”
Bill McGuire
#MNUFC principal owner Dr. Bill McGuire won't tip his hand on details of stadium pub, but says it will be good. pic.twitter.com/PIyAkra9hs
— Brian Quarstad (@IMSoccerNews) May 3, 2018
More from Dr. McGuire on some of the features of @allianzfield which he says will make it one of the best if not the best soccer stadium in the US. pic.twitter.com/913QBdkx76
— Brian Quarstad (@IMSoccerNews) May 3, 2018
Here's a mock up of the seats at @allianzfield. Colors are black, light gray, dark gray, blue and red. But here's the catch, there will be only 1 red seat in the entire stadium. Project manager Greg Huber confirmed this today but wouldn't say where. pic.twitter.com/auYVIoA1hk
— Brian Quarstad (@IMSoccerNews) May 4, 2018
Also on @allianzfield seating, note that all seats will be on a track system so they can be shifted closer or further apart. pic.twitter.com/1czlS3jvhE
— Brian Quarstad (@IMSoccerNews) May 4, 2018
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