United Center
The United Center, home to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, hosts more than 200 events a year.
Lead Contact
Project Details
Project Partners
Populous
Owner
Illinois Sports Authority
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Completion Date
Area
960,000 ft²
Seating Capacity
21,500
Teams/League
Chicago Bulls - NBA, Chicago Blackhawks - NHL
Number of Suites
167
Overview
The United Center, home to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, hosts more than 200 events a year. It is one of the largest arenas in the United States at 960,000 square feet and accommodates sporting events, concerts, family shows and other special events.
We provided structural design services to Populous for the arena that replaced the old Chicago Stadium built in 1929.
Highlights
- The column-free arena seats 21,500 for a Bulls game and 20,500 for a Blackhawks game.
- The structural system consists of two major components: the cast-in-place concrete seating bowl and the structural steel-framed clear-span roof.
- The selection of the structural systems for the stadium was driven by the 216 suites built of three private levels, with the uppermost ring of suites suspended from the roof trusses.
- Its multi-pot tied-arch framing system is a cost efficient, aesthetic, erectable solution that meets all the structural requirements of this long-span arena.