World structure studio Populous has designed a revamped racetrack and sports activities venue for Belmont Park in Nassau County, New York.
The power will redevelop the unique Belmont Park, which first opened in 1905 and was renovated in 1968. The historic monitor has been the house of the Belmont Stakes for over 155 years and has seen racing legends comparable to Beldame and Seabiscuit.
Kansas Metropolis-based Populous was tasked with changing the 1.25 million-square-foot (116,1300 sq. meters) construction — together with 275,000 sq. ft (25,550 sq. meters) of inside area — to modernize the advanced and add up to date facilities and hospitality choices. , in addition to rework the racetrack right into a multi-purpose venue for each racing and non-racing occasions.
The brand new five-story grandstand will keep the present 50,000 seats, however reorganize them into a versatile structure to accommodate low season occasions. The white constructing can be encased in glass shaded by a monumental cantilevered roof with rounded corners.
“Key areas in and across the constructing have been optimized for flexibility, supporting each racing and non-racing occasions,” stated the Populous staff, referring to the big indoor and out of doors public area that can be utilized by Elmont , Floral Park and environment. The communities of East Queens.
The brand new clubhouse is designed for use for neighborhood occasions and social gatherings comparable to weddings along with internet hosting races.
The redevelopment challenge additionally extends to the barn and backstretch areas, with the development of three new dormitories and bicycle storage sheds to encourage multimodal journey.
The renovated areas will embody an on-site medical facility, recreation room, kitchen and fitness center. As well as, the staff will implement new flood mitigation methods, substitute fences, set up a Blue Mild safety system, present dependable WiFi entry, and consider the feasibility of sponsored teacher effectivity flats.
“Belmont Park's previous is wealthy with trendsetting racing improvements and has at all times been a spot the place folks come collectively,” Populous director Meg McWilliam instructed Dezeen.
“We’re proud to make use of our international racing experience and intimate understanding of the operations behind high-profile thoroughbred racing occasions to design a facility that isn’t solely enticing, but additionally functionally environment friendly.”
“Along with NYRA, we're bringing American racing into the 21st century.”
Demolition started in mid-March, prompting the transfer of the June 2024 Belmont Stakes to Saratoga Racecourse. After the location is cleared, the structural concrete, exterior facade, roof and cover can be erected all through 2025.
The New York Racing Affiliation hopes to convey the Belmont Stakes again to the venue in 2026 earlier than Belmont Park formally reopens in September 2026.
The power — estimated to generate $155 million in financial output yearly — can also be a hopeful 2026 Breeder's Cup venue.
“The park at Belmont has not solely been superbly maintained, however has expanded westward and into the infield, persevering with its legacy as a neighborhood asset,” McWilliam stated.
“The revitalization challenge permits us to reinforce a park that’s already beloved by the neighborhood, creating publicly accessible inexperienced area within the space.”
Populous can also be presently engaged on a short lived cricket stadium for the 2024 World Cup in Nassau County, and the design of a brand new soccer stadium for the Buffalo Payments in western New York is due for completion in 2026.
Photographs courtesy of Populous.
Venture credit:
Structural: Thornton Tomasetti
Civil: Bohler Engineering
MEP/lighting: ME Engineers
Vertical transport: Fortune Shepler Mutual
Code: Howe Engineers