Before KPF would go on to design Hudson Yards, the firm competed to design a new, sustainable 75,000-seat open air Jets Stadium with accompanying sports entertainment district on the same site.
The innovative design of the stadium on Manhattan’s far west side incorporated sustainable design technology through use of solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric technology to not only supply energy to the stadium, but also to the surrounding city grid. As part of the continued redevelopment of the west side, the stadium was designed to be built on a deck over the west side rail yards, adjacent to the redeveloped High Line. The design extended and preserved the High Line, while also providing an extensive public plaza called the “Woodland Wedge” on the 34th Street side. In addition, the facility planned to improve development around the Hudson River through a new sports entertainment district.
All back-of-house facilities were below-grade, and the stadium was designed to be built of steel and recycled materials while new infrastructure would provide a new link in the mass transit system, similar to what was realized at Hudson Yards. This unique multi-purpose facility, coupled with New York City’s attractions, had the potential to be the most sought after convention facility in the country and generate over three hundred events for the Javits Center in addition to the ten NFL games played per season. The Jets Stadium design also accommodated the required Olympic track and total patron capacity for the Olympic Games, which New York City made a bid for in 2012.
