Krafts are closing off the open end of Gillette

RedOctober3829

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“The transformation of the north end of Gillette Stadium will be defined by 75,000-square feet of glass-enclosed year-round hospitality and function spaces that bridge the gap between the East and West Putnam Clubs, the Dell Technologies Suite Levels and the upper concourse. All levels of the stadium will have 360-degree connectivity, a feature that is currently only available on the main concourse.

“In addition, the renovation will include the largest outdoor stadium high-definition video board in the country, measuring 370' x 60'. The 22,200 square feet of video board space will be nearly double the size of the new south end zone video board. The curved radius HD video board will provide game action, replays, statistics and fantasy football updates.

The architectural bridge and lighthouse have served as the stadium's signature view. This new development will feature a much bigger, more prominent lighthouse, standing 218-feet high, complete with a 360-degree observation deck at the top, providing sweeping views of the stadium, the game field, Patriot Place and beyond. This one-of-a-kind observation deck will be accessible to fans visiting Gillette Stadium year-round and available for private events.”

https://www.patriots.com/news/transformational-enhancements-coming-to-gillette-stadium-2023
 

JMDurron

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I'm glad to see this. It always felt like wasted HFA to me to see that noise-reducing open gap in the stadium. Every team should try to build/renovate their stadiums to maximize crowd noise (ok, maybe except the LAC), all else being equal.
 

tims4wins

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Not seats, but looks to be more suite style capacity. I think it will make the stadium louder.
I'm glad to see this. It always felt like wasted HFA to me to see that noise-reducing open gap in the stadium. Every team should try to build/renovate their stadiums to maximize crowd noise (ok, maybe except the LAC), all else being equal.
Agree with you guys - this could be huge for crowd noise.
 

Fisks Of Fury

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Can't wait to see how much of the new "largest outdoor stadium high-definition video board in the country" is filled with advertising and/or fantasy football stats.
 

Harry Hooper

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A key feature for several Patriot Place buildings was their direct views of the stadium interior. No more, apparently
 

Foxy42

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The lighthouse continues to be an eyesore. What’s the reason not to have a traditional New England style lighthouse?
 

Saints Rest

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Agree with you guys - this could be huge for crowd noise.
I would imagine it will change wind currents pretty significantly. DIdn't the renovations to the areas behind home plate at Fenway have big wind ramifications there?

I also wonder if there will be a similar thing in the opposite end zone if this proves succesfful/popular.
 

The Talented Allen Ripley

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I'm sure this has been in the planning stages for a long time, but I wonder if the team held off moving forward with it until this year's success made it easier to do so.

Would have been a discordant look announcing this anytime post-Brady until now.
 

sodenj5

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I might be in the minority, but I don’t like things that take unique features and sterilizes them.

I like the open air pavilion areas in Gillette and Heinz. They feel different than every other stadium. Close it off and add a giant video board and it looks like Met Life Stadium MA.
 

leetinsley38

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This should significantly cut down on the wind. Did you see that pass to Jonnu? Buffalo will be debating that domed stadium for Allen for years. Conversely Kraft makes a decision immediately to support his franchise QB for the next 18 years. Best owner in sports.
 

Ale Xander

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Guess that home 0-4 start had an effect?

Personally, I've not been disappointed in their home record over the last 22 years overall, so I hate it. For the sole reason of not "seeing" concerts and halftime stuff for free anymore through that underpass. But haven't seen the renders.

I also am not a fan of the knocking on the seats and floor noise, that should be amplified here. Give me some old fashioned hand-clapping.

Edit: Thanks for the hope, Rip
 

Deathofthebambino

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I also am not a fan of the knocking on the seats and floor noise, that should be amplified here. Give me some old fashioned hand-clapping.
For the record, as someone who has been to hundreds of games in that stadium, I love it. The place is a goddamned wind tunnel and while it may have helped us with home field advantage, it could make things miserable for fans.

It's hard to make a lot noise when clapping your hands, when almost everyone in the stadium is wearing gloves or mittens, particularly when the games matter the most late in the season and in the playoffs, so anything that will help keep the temperature bearable through less wind will also help people clap with ungloved hands.
 

Ale Xander

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For the record, as someone who has been to hundreds of games in that stadium, I love it. The place is a goddamned wind tunnel and while it may have helped us with home field advantage, it could make things miserable for fans.

It's hard to make a lot noise when clapping your hands, when almost everyone in the stadium is wearing gloves or mittens, particularly when the games matter the most late in the season and in the playoffs, so anything that will help keep the temperature bearable through less wind will also help people clap with ungloved hands.
That, that is a valid point! Wind down is good!
 

leftfieldlegacy

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For the record, as someone who has been to hundreds of games in that stadium, I love it. The place is a goddamned wind tunnel and while it may have helped us with home field advantage, it could make things miserable for fans.

It's hard to make a lot noise when clapping your hands, when almost everyone in the stadium is wearing gloves or mittens, particularly when the games matter the most late in the season and in the playoffs, so anything that will help keep the temperature bearable through less wind will also help people clap with ungloved hands.
Maybe Kraft thinks this will help him get a SB at Gillette?
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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For the record, as someone who has been to hundreds of games in that stadium, I love it. The place is a goddamned wind tunnel and while it may have helped us with home field advantage, it could make things miserable for fans.

It's hard to make a lot noise when clapping your hands, when almost everyone in the stadium is wearing gloves or mittens, particularly when the games matter the most late in the season and in the playoffs, so anything that will help keep the temperature bearable through less wind will also help people clap with ungloved hands.
Agreed 100%. It is a COLD place to see late season games. And the renovations will keep noise in the stadium. I'm all for this.
 

bankshot1

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I wonder if this is a precursor for the Kraft's to be able to provide a sports book (with an NFL approved and officially NFL-licensed bookmaker) when that wall fully comes down. That seems to be the next frontier for the NFL to exploit
 

Ralphwiggum

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Maybe Kraft thinks this will help him get a SB at Gillette?
If they aren't adding to total capacity with this renovation Gillette doesn't meet the 70,000 seat requirement. Plus, I love going to games at Gillette, but it is almost a minor league stadium compared to the new(ish) stadiums in LA, Las Vegas, Dallas, Minnesota, Phoenix and Atlanta. They would also need a waiver from the league because the average temp in Foxboro in February is below 50 degrees and they don't play in a dome. They league granted that for the SB played in NY, but it is hard to imagine them doing that to reward Kraft for making a $250 renovation to the stadium.
 

DourDoerr

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It looks like they're not completely closing up that end. From the exterior view of the stadium, you can see it's open beneath the new structure. You may still get some wind. I have to believe they've done the homework, but my concern is a wind-tunneling effect. Love that it might increase noise level and wonder if there are any special features to optimize the effect. Finally, agree the light house is hideous and baffling. There are dozens of great lighthouses throughout New England, white with a red stripe twisting up, etc. and a black top. This isn't hard. Take a photo of one and have the architect trace it on a piece of paper. Would be the chef's kiss.
 

axx

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If they aren't adding to total capacity with this renovation Gillette doesn't meet the 70,000 seat requirement. Plus, I love going to games at Gillette, but it is almost a minor league stadium compared to the new(ish) stadiums in LA, Las Vegas, Dallas, Minnesota, Phoenix and Atlanta. They would also need a waiver from the league because the average temp in Foxboro in February is below 50 degrees and they don't play in a dome. They league granted that for the SB played in NY, but it is hard to imagine them doing that to reward Kraft for making a $250 renovation to the stadium.
I was going to say that the NY SB was a one time thing. I don't see them doing that again, be it in Foxborough or otherwise.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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I was going to say that the NY SB was a one time thing. I don't see them doing that again, be it in Foxborough or otherwise.
The saving grace of that game was the weather ended up absolutely beautiful for February and they just missed a massive snowstorm by days IIRC. It's definitely playing with fire, or ice I guess.
 

Bergs

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I'm glad to see this. It always felt like wasted HFA to me to see that noise-reducing open gap in the stadium. Every team should try to build/renovate their stadiums to maximize crowd noise (ok, maybe except the LAC), all else being equal.
Agree with you guys - this could be huge for crowd noise.
So I guess the real question at hand is how many draft picks we get taken away for this.
 

dirtynine

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Gillette will be putting grass in for the 2026 WC - assuming it’s just for that summer, but they are apparently “rehabbing” a now-unused irrigation system to make it work, so maybe there’s more to it? It doesn’t sound like they’re bringing in sod on trays as they have for these kinds of events in the past.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Gillette will be putting grass in for the 2026 WC - assuming it’s just for that summer, but they are apparently “rehabbing” a now-unused irrigation system to make it work, so maybe there’s more to it? It doesn’t sound like they’re bringing in sod on trays as they have for these kinds of events in the past.
Bruce Arena said last week that he believed the grass field was not a one off change and Gillette would be grass going forward. Now he’s not the authority on this but is obviously plugged in.
 

mauf

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I’m skeptical that Gillette will switch back to grass. It’s so much harder to maintain, particularly when it’s used irregularly by people other than its core tenants. What about concerts? Are they still going to let high school players tear up the field the first Saturday in December? And it doesn’t seem like people are concerned about heightened injury risk on turf anymore.