07 Jul 2017
Zac Brown and Killer Mike to sprinkle stardust on Philips Arena revamp
BY Matthew Campelli
A ‘southern gourmet’-style restaurant inspired by the Grammy-winning Zac Brown Band, and a barbershop owned by rapper and activist Killer Mike will be part of the “transformed” Philips Arena – home to NBA franchise the Atlanta Hawks.
Country music legend Zac Brown – the lead singer of the eponymous band – has helped to design the Zac Brown Social Club, which will treat fans to a “fully-immersive” dining experience that combines food music and hospitality before, during and after the game.
It forms part of the “reimagined eating and drinking experience” for the sports and music venue, and will be complemented by new food stalls and bars throughout.
Adding an extra bit of stardust to the venue is SWAG, the barbershop outlet created by local rapper Killer Mike and his wife Shana Render. The ‘shop will allow fans to get the full shaves, washes and grooming treatment while viewing games.
HOK, the lead architects on the project, have designed the venue with major changes to its current configuration, with a number of suites being removed and replaced with new amenities.
The Hawks Bar – designed in the shape of the Hawks’ Pacman logo – will be the first bar installed on the ground floor of an NBA arena, just a “handful of feet” from the court.
Concourse and suite spaces will be more open, with better sightlines for spectators.
Overall, it the project will be the second-largest renovation in NBA history, behind the revamp of Madison Square Garden.
Technology throughout the building will be heavily upgraded with a new scoreboard three times the size of the current one.
A Hawks meeting and conference centre will also be built on site with a 250-seat master conference room and breakout zones.
Steve Koonin, chief executive of Atlanta Hawks, said the everyone connected with the franchise was “beyond excited” with the development.
“Every element of the arena under the roof will be brand new and designed with Atlanta and its vibrant communities in mind,” he added.
“Every trip to the new arena will be a great night out and unbelievable experience.”
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