The new grandstand was part of Phase II of the redevelopment of the USTA National Tennis Center Campus, and was an integral piece of transforming the US Open into a sports spectacle on par with the Olympics. The grandstand’s exterior features a unique skin pattern made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fabric panels. The panels evoke the illusion of peering through foliage, and plays with opacity and translucence, offering glimpses in and out of the stadium. Fans are drawn into Grandstand from a set of grand staircases and along an upper walkway that provides an expansive view of the campus, including five tournament courts, the Alleé and the World’s Fair Unisphere. The lower bowl is recessed into the earth creating an intimate tennis experience that highlights the player-fan relationship.
The strategic new location of the Grandstand to the southwest corner of campus draws fans across the campus to alleviate circulation issues. The new 8,125- seat stadium nestles into its new location within Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the trees along the edge of the campus. The stadium and its surrounding context are designed with an abundance of fan amenities, creating a relaxed, park-like setting. New concessions, a picnic area and plazas surround Grandstand Stadium and provide fans with a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere as an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the campus.