Members of the Louisville Arena Authority Inc. got their first look today at what the interior of the planned 22,000-seat multiuse venue will have when it opens in fall 2010.

The configuration of the downtown arena — the future home of the University of Louisville’s men’s and women’s basketball teams — will be “unique,” with more seats in the lower bowl and better site lines throughout than in Freedom Hall, where the Cardinals currently play, said Steve Hotujac, principal with Kansas City, Mo.-based HOK Sport, the facility’s architect and design firm.

Of the 22,000 seats, 11,348 will be located in the lower bowl. The arena will have 72 suites on two levels. The main concourse level will house 2,000 club seats and a sports bar and restaurant with daily public access.

Plans for the upper level include 350 loge box seats and 1,000 club seats — both with private lounges. All seats will be cushioned with chair backs. There also will be a food court open to the public.

The 700,000-square-foot facility will be constructed, beginning in summer 2008, at Second and Main streets. Interior renderings are expected to be posted on the arena authority’s Web site, www.arenaauthority.com.

Hotujac told authority members at their monthly meeting that the sports bar will be open year round and offer a river view. The operator and name of the restaurant have not been determined.

The main entrance to the arena will feature a grand lobby with a U of L store, hall of fame and box office.

The $450 million arena complex, which will include a hotel, will have an attached, five-level, 975-seat parking garage with access from Second and Third streets.

The arena design drew praise from authority members.

“I think we’re very comfortable with the general feel of this building,” said authority building committee chairman Dan Ulmer.

John Hilkene, managing partner of San Antonio, Texas-based PC Sports, program manager for the Louisville arena project, called the design “totally unique.”

“My guess is someone’s going to copy it when they see it,” he said. “I think it’s going to be great for U of L.”

source : louisville.bizjournals.com