Nassau Coliseum is a major sport and entertainment arena filled with a storied history. After 40 years serving its community, however, the venue had fallen into disrepair and was poised for an iconic transformation. SHoP and Gensler conceived a solution that pays homage to the arena's history while envisioning an exciting future for this 63-acre site. The project teams chose to preserve the building's bones while creating a striking new fa̤ade that denotes the arena's resurgence as a regional entertainment landmark. The goal was for the modernized structure to become, "a space that reflects the tremendous sense of place that permeates Long Island."
SHoP, responsible for the exterior renovation, created a unique skin for the building giving it a striking, new look. The fa̤ade comprises 4,700 textured aluminum fins, all digitally modeled and custom fabricated, invokes iconographic Long Island setting that is home to this arena. Inspired by local elements that are defining features of life in Long Island, designers drew from the dune fencing, decks, and boardwalks along the island's coast. Drawing from area's history as well, the façade's design looks to the Spirit of St. Louis – the monoplane flown by Charles Lindbergh from a nearby airfield in 1927 for the first non-stop solo transatlantic flight.
Gensler led the interior renovation and addressed the building's many functional issues such as insufficient toilet counts, unmet compliance with current building codes, life-safety regulations, and ADA accessibility. Enhancements include a new exterior glass storefront, a redesigned main entrance, all new seating, improved bowl circulation, and revamped bathrooms and concessions. New amenity spaces include an event level VIP Club and a Beer Garden. The venue's Artist Quarters provides residential-style living spaces for performers and talent management. ADA, building and life safety code were all upgraded, making the venue more accessible to everyone.
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