The arena must set the tone for the character and quality of design on East Market, using materials of substance and lasting consequence. Allowing the inside to be more visible to the street, incorporating public art worthy of the city’s heritage, and designing gathering spaces both inside and outside that serve as everyday great civic rooms could help to create a sense of place and a new civic landmark.

How have other cities done this?

In Philadelphia, many of our sports arenas have been corralled together in an area of the city that has allowed for a more sprawling architecture centered on functional design. But this proposal brings the arena into the heart of Center City and thus necessitates a departure from a one-size-fits-all architectural design. To succeed as both a venue for the Sixers and as a vibrant destination for Philadelphians, as well as not overwhelm its surroundings, 76Place must respond in specific ways to this particular urban site, and it must be designed to fuel not just team but also civic pride. Successful urban arenas have become landmarks that reflect the culture and spirit of their location. With the right considerations, 76Place – like the Barclay Center in Brooklyn – can become an iconic landmark that is a source of pride for Philadelphians.

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What to know

The current design approach, if not developed further, misses the opportunity to create a significant civic landmark with enduring quality and connection to the surrounding urban environment.

Lack of Architectural Distinctiveness and Local Identity: The proposed arena design lacks unique or iconic architectural features that connect it to Philadelphia’s identity, culture, or history. The building’s design is garish, banal and commercial and appears as if could be situated in any city, in a downtown, or a suburban location, with no elements that distinctly communicate, “This is Center City Philadelphia.”

Material Selection and Durability: Renderings of the arena depict vertical wood panels on opaque portions of the facade, raising questions about material choice. Wood (real or simulated) is not contextually aligned, nor does it have a precedence in Center City’s architectural heritage. Wood also lacks the durability and enduring appeal expected of a lasting civic landmark. If simulated wood is intended, the choice could appear inauthentic or unable to withstand weather and time as effectively as other materials.

Transparency and Connection to the Street: While initial renderings suggest a relatively transparent facade, particularly, along Market Street, the actual design may not live up to this potential, based on structural issues raised by the City’s design reviews. The layout of operational facilities on the ground floor limits transparency and creates a barrier between the interior and street-level activity. Without this visual connection, the arena risks feeling closed off and disconnected from the city’s public realm.

Questions we should be asking

• Can public art be incorporated to match the city’s excellence in great civic art works?

• Can the design build on great moments of transparency in the current design concept, allowing the inside to be visible to the street and the drama of the seating bowl to be exposed, by extending this principle to other areas of the building?

• Can the building be constructed of materials of real and lasting consequence that sets a high bar for development excellence on under-developed parcels on this strip of Market Street?

Best Practices

Incorporating a sports arena into the urban fabric is a complex task. It is a massive building that must function seamlessly – doing everything it can to maximize the fan experience. But it is a mistake to think that an arena is just a building for sports. The arena must also achieve something intangible – it must become a place where memories are made and where the city’s collective identity is forged. It is essential that 76Place carefully considers the intangible factors and commits to developing a civic landmark that can serve the public and create a sense of place and pride every day. Other cities have shown us that it is possible. With a commitment to bold designs, unique architectural elements, striking exteriors, dynamic facades, great public spaces, and an innovative use of materials, design can be the driver and can ensure that the arena becomes an iconic landmark for Philadelphia and for the Sixers.

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