Those who haven’t been to the new Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for an event yet are really falling behind. The $185 million renovation has totally transformed Quicken Loans Arena into what can be most easily described as a high tech play palace that will enhance the city’s reputation as a destination for major entertainment and sports events.
The new FieldHouse is clearly an outward sign of what public and private partnerships are able to accomplish when they work together. As it was being built, Cleveland Cavaliers Chairman Dan Gilbert ponied up an extra $45 million from the original $140 million budget, a large portion of which went to technical upgrades.
“When you think about the investment that has been made by the city, county and by us, it really is impressive how it all came together,” says Antony Bonavita, executive vice president, venue operations for Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. “It’s not just a building, we are rebuilding a city.
“I am amazed at how each day we seem to get better and better in Cleveland,” says Bonavita. “We spent this money to ensure we improved the landscape of downtown — to ensure the vibrancy of downtown.”
Home to the NBA Cavaliers and AHL Monsters, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse also will host a complete slate of independent sporting events, family entertainment and concerts throughout the year. But more importantly, this shining new venue will create a unique experience for all who visit in the years that come.
And that experience starts before visitors even enter the building.
While the former Quicken Loans Arena hosted some major, even historic events, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse welcomes visitors with a shining new exterior that includes a glass atrium and brushed aluminum LED wall that can display 1,500 color combinations. Inside the northwest entrance, visitors will experience something called the Power Portal, an LED tunnel that can show sports highlights or custom imagery for concerts and other entertainment events.
“It’s all about getting people amped up,” says Bonavita. “People use sports and entertainment as an escape, a vacation from what is going on in their lives. When you enter this beautiful atrium and walk through the entrance, by the time you get to the other side, hopefully your mind is energized and in a different place to help us cheer — whether it’s a basketball game, hockey game or a concert.”
But the changed experience doesn’t stop there. The new FieldHouse offers eight neighborhoods, each with its own culinary choices from celebrity chefs like Michael Symon, Rocco Whalen, Jonathon Sawyer and others.
“Hopefully, if someone has a seat on the west side, and they like food offerings on the east side, they will walk over there and get something to eat,” says Bonavita. “We wanted to make sure we got the very best food from Cleveland’s neighborhoods, so when people visit the FieldHouse, they can experience all that our city has to offer.”
The renovation also included major changes to Loudville upstairs, with the addition of more space and new features like the Budweiser Brew House and Overlook Bar, the latter offering panoramic views of both the north atrium and downtown Cleveland.
“All of these upgrades make the fan experience better, but they also let everyone know that Cleveland is here to stay,” says Bonavita. “I am a firm believer that a lack of evolution leads to extinction. We had to evolve in order to remain relevant. Cleveland has to fight a little harder, or mainstream events will go to places like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. That’s why it was so important for our city, county and organization to make this investment.”