CITYPARK’s New Soccer Stadium in St. Louis Features Unique Masonry to Achieve Modern, Sleek Design

Words: John Cicciarelli

Completed in Fall ahead of the 2023 Major League Soccer season, CITYPARK St. Louis is a state-of-the-art, soccer-specific stadium in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. The new stadium features geometric lines and unique masonry, creating a contemporary yet timeless design. Led by HOK Group Inc., the architect of record in collaboration with Snow Kreilich Architects of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the project achieved its construction goals and aligned with the vibrant soccer culture in St. Louis.

St. Louis CITY SC, the soccer club hosted at CITYPARK St. Louis, has deep-rooted local ownership, reflecting the strong connection between the team and the St. Louis community. With their strong ties to St. Louis business and philanthropy, the Taylor and Kavanaugh families lead the soccer club's ownership group. With the majority of the Taylor family owners being female, it marks the first majority female-owned soccer club in Major League Soccer (MLS) history.

Starting with groundbreaking in April 2020, the project scope included a training ground and maintenance facility within the stadium district. Despite initial procurement challenges due to the pandemic, careful planning and early material acquisition helped mitigate potential delays. While construction costs increased due to COVID-19, the project remained ahead of schedule compared to others.

"Soccer is huge in St. Louis, especially due to the predominance of Youth Sports supported by strong programs," said Verkamp. "We knew that this stadium needed to have its own signature style."

HOK and Snow Kreilich worked closely with stadium ownership to achieve their goals. They were able to integrate masonry, metal, and glass into a unique and timeless stadium design that blends in well with the neighborhood without the looming, monolithic look of typical stadiums.

The design teams supported the canopy and enhanced the openness of the stadium with circular columns without lateral bracing so views from all angles would not be hindered.

The stadium’s suspended glass with metal bracing supports the lightness of the design with a transparent connection to the community. Oldcastle APG’s Echelon Masonry products were strategically chosen by the design team for the main portion of the stadium to align with the clean and modern exterior envisioned for CITYPARK St. Louis. The architects selected Echelon’s 4 X 24 Cordova Stone masonry in unique alabaster and white colors with ground-face finish for the majority of exterior masonry at CITYPARK. The masonry was supplied by Midwest Block.

"Our team used many shapes and profiles in the alabaster masonry on all facades and on the concourses," explained Jeff Verkamp, Senior Project Architect, HOK. "We worked closely on installing the patterns with Leonard Masonry, which has an established presence in the Midwest."

The Cordova Stone’s varied shapes and profiles were instrumental in creating a unique and iconic stadium structure. The colors and pattern ensure that CITYPARK St. Louis stands out as the next generation of soccer stadiums. The colors also provide the perfect canvas for team graphics and sponsorships.

Echelon Masonry's durability was a key factor in the selection as well as its compelling life cycle story. Stadiums often face replacement after a relatively short lifespan, but the design team was committed to longevity and sustainability as a crucial aspect of this project.

The official pro season started in March 2023, with the stadium hosting a handful of soccer events before St. Louis CITY SC made their debut.

The CITYPARK St. Louis soccer stadium represents a harmonious blend of local culture, cutting-edge design, and the application of innovative materials. St. Louis CITY SC's remarkable entry into Major League Soccer is a testament to the passion of the fans and commitment of the team's ownership group. The choice of top-line masonry products not only enhanced the timeless design but also ensures a long and enduring legacy for the people of St. Louis and soccer enthusiasts alike. Learn more at www.EchelonMasonry.com.

CITYPARK’s New Soccer Stadium in St. Louis Features Unique Masonry to Achieve Modern, Sleek Design

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