Client
Oak View Group
Total Capacity
11,000
Disciplines
Collections
The new performance and sports facility introduces a state-of-the-art music venue to one of the world’s most notable music destinations.
Populous was engaged as architect of record by the arena’s developer, Oak View Group (OVG) — the global venue development, advisory and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industry — to create an indoor music venue for the Greater Palm Springs and Coachella Valley region, providing architectural, interior, branding and wayfinding design services. The arena also serves as home to the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Coachella Valley Firebirds, affiliated with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.
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Populous approached the design of Acrisure Arena by first becoming immersed in the local history, landscape and culture of Palm Springs, one of the nation’s iconic music destinations. As a result, the venue is one that changes the performance and hockey landscape of the West Coast. Acrisure Arena is authentic to its site and leading the industry into the future of entertainment experience.
It is the first indoor/outdoor arena with unique premium amenities that harness the warm, year-round desert climate, giving guests access to outdoor concessions and club balconies with a breathtaking array of views, all while remaining inside the arena’s gates. The arena also features several sustainable design elements, working with the landscape’s geographical conditions and leveraging its desert climate.
Populous conducted an audit of the Palm Desert area, studying local architecture and capturing colors, materials, language and local design to incorporate into Acrisure Arena, from exterior expression to interior design.
The team wanted this space to be a leading sports and entertainment venue, while also fitting seamlessly and authentically into its community. As such, the windswept forms of the exterior reflect the natural vernacular of the desert landscape with palm tree islands as an oasis and respite from the harsh sun.
Populous is one of the best in the business and that’s why we’ve partnered with them on a number of our other buildings such as UBS Arena and Climate Pledge Arena.
The arena’s seating bowl is buried in the earth, downsizing its overall height and allowing direct access to the main concourse through a seamless at-grade entry experience.
Acrisure Arena will host some of the world’s most popular artists, fitting for a region with a rich history in musical entertainment. In order to serve as a first stop for large west-coast tours, the arena’s infrastructure, along with its artist amenities, rival those of any major venue of larger capacity.
Acrisure Arena’s rigging system boasts the same capabilities of the nation’s major performance venues, allowing artists to fully test their touring setup and entertainment assets in their first show. Also a hockey arena, the conscious choice to forgo a center-hung scoreboard allows for artists to rig their stage show any way they choose with easy access to multiple catwalks, making the location ideal for rehearsals before a tour begins.
In addition, the intimate size of the venue allows for optimal performance acoustics. The rigging grid is approximately 60 feet above the ground, compared to a tradition 120 feet in a larger arena. This, coupled with sound paneling and the two-level structure of the bowl, creates excellent acoustics, while also generating a loud atmosphere for hockey games.
One of the most attractive aspects for artists visiting Acrisure Arena is the expansive artist compound. A space that is traditionally hidden underground, the star areas at the arena are both indoors and outdoors, with an outdoor space that includes sports areas, a bar and an eating area for artists and their groups. In addition, all indoor star areas are located directly off the loading dock, so artists and their crews can position their vehicles at the loading dock and walk right into their green rooms and crew areas, all outfitted with lounges, restrooms and prep areas.
The arena footprint also includes the Berger Foundation Iceplex, the training facility for the Firebirds that is open to community use and events. The Iceplex is home to a 5,000-square-foot training facility, with 1,500-square-foot players’ lounge for the AHL team.
Acrisure Arena was a $300 million project that was 100% privately funded. The performance venue will generate revenue for the Greater Palm Springs area year-round and attract a global audience. Its sustainable design allows for continued harmony within the fragile desert ecosystem in which it exists. Acrisure Arena fits seamlessly into its community, while allowing visitors to experience all the community has to offer.
An arena designed for some of the most popular artists in the world requires detailed, bespoke interior spaces. Populous led the interior design of the arena, from concourses to artist areas, premium clubs and suites. Taking cues from regional elements such as woven-inspired materials and the California Palm, the interior design of Acrisure is intentional about its reflection of place.
Populous approached the design of Acrisure Arena by first becoming immersed in the local history, landscape and culture of Palm Springs. Populous conducted an audit of the Palm Desert area, studying local architecture and capturing colors, materials, language and local design to incorporate into Acrisure Arena.
The team wanted this space to be a leading sports and entertainment venue, while also fitting seamlessly and authentically into its community. As such, the windswept forms of the exterior reflect the natural vernacular of the desert landscape with palm tree islands as an oasis and respite from the harsh sun.
Populous’ Brand Activation team established and strengthened the storytelling of Acrisure Arena, highlighting the iconic history of Coachella Valley and Palm Springs, and the unique features of the arena. Two sponsor-branded end stage bars bookend the arena, and two sponsor-branded center ice bars reflect a classic Palm Springs pool party.
Populous designed the building navigation strategy, including the site and wayfinding signage throughout Acrisure Arena. Comprehensible and explicit wayfinding signage was designed using inspiration from the desert landscape.
Project Cost
$300 million
Training Facility
5,000 sq. ft.
Player's Lounge
1,500 sq. ft.
( 18 )
Acrisure Arena
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