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| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | |
|---|---|
| Name | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| Caption | Exterior of the arena in 2011 |
| Location | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Opened | 1965 |
| Architect | Ellerbe Becket; Lescher & Mahoney |
| Capacity | 14,870 |
| Owner | Arizona State Fair |
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a multi-purpose arena in Phoenix, Arizona with historical ties to Maricopa County, the State of Arizona, and postwar veterans' communities. Opened in 1965, the venue hosted professional sports franchises, major touring productions, and civic ceremonies, influencing the development of Phoenix's entertainment infrastructure and urban renewal initiatives. Its role intersects with regional institutions such as Arizona State University, Phoenix Suns, and the Arizona State Fairgrounds.
The arena was commissioned amid mid-20th-century civic projects that included collaborations with Barry Goldwater-era policymakers and Civic Center planners who shaped Phoenix's modern skyline. Construction began under contractors linked to regional firms and national builders associated with projects like Madison Square Garden renovations and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum expansions. The Coliseum opened in 1965 and quickly became the home for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association and minor league hockey clubs associated with the World Hockey Association and the Western Hockey League. It also hosted political rallies tied to figures such as John F. Kennedy-era staffers and events by national organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Over decades the venue witnessed performances by touring artists on the Monterey Pop Festival to Woodstock-era circuits and hosted conventions tied to the Arizona Republican Party and the Arizona Democratic Party.
Designed by firms including Ellerbe Becket and influenced by architects of midcentury modernism such as Eero Saarinen and Minoru Yamasaki, the arena features a distinctive saddle-shaped roof that recalls the structural daring of TWA Flight Center and the tensile projects of Frei Otto. The engineering employed techniques paralleling work at Kingdome and innovations used by contractors from the Robert Moses-era civic projects. Interior sightlines reflect principles promoted by Le Corbusier-influenced planners and seating arrangements similar to venues like Madison Square Garden and Staples Center. The design achieved recognition in architectural circles alongside projects by Paul Rudolph and Philip Johnson.
Periodic upgrades responded to standards set by leagues such as the National Basketball Association and associations like the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Renovation campaigns involved preservationists connected to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local advocates like members of the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission. Interventions balanced modern systems—HVAC, ADA accessibility improvements advocated under Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 frameworks, and modernization comparable to work at Radio City Music Hall—with efforts to retain the Coliseum’s signature roof and midcentury material palette championed by groups aligned with The Modern Phoenix Project.
As home court for the Phoenix Suns, the venue hosted playoff series involving opponents such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. It served as a stage for touring musicians including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles-era veterans’ reunions, and Elvis Presley-style tributes, and accommodated shows from promoters like Live Nation and AEG Presents. The Coliseum also hosted collegiate competitions featuring Arizona State University athletics and events for Grand Canyon University, as well as professional hockey teams akin to franchises in the American Hockey League. Civic tenants included fairs run by the Arizona State Fair and expos organized by trade associations like the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Show-adjacent regional exhibitions.
The arena contributed to Phoenix's identity as a Sun Belt entertainment hub during the postwar population boom tied to migration patterns studied by scholars of Sun Belt development and urbanists influenced by Jane Jacobs. It played a role in local music scenes connected to artists from the Southwest, and in sports culture that produced icons linked with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Preservation debates around the Coliseum intersected with national conversations led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and regional cultural institutions such as the Heard Museum and the Phoenix Art Museum.
Situated on the Arizona State Fairgrounds near central Phoenix, the Coliseum is accessible from major thoroughfares including Interstate 10 (Arizona), Interstate 17, and surface arteries like Van Buren Street (Phoenix). Transit connections involve services coordinated with Valley Metro Rail and bus lines operated by Valley Metro (Arizona), and parking plans have been considered alongside Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport-adjacent infrastructure. The site’s proximity to neighborhoods such as Downtown Phoenix and Encanto places it within a matrix of civic venues including the Phoenix Convention Center and Chase Field.
Proposals for the Coliseum’s future have attracted developers tied to projects like CityScape Phoenix and planners affiliated with the Phoenix Community Development Commission. Redevelopment scenarios range from preservation-oriented adaptive reuse influenced by precedents at Ghirardelli Square and Tate Modern conversions to commercial initiatives reminiscent of revitalizations in Warehouse Districts of Los Angeles and San Diego. Stakeholders include the State of Arizona, the Arizona State Fair, preservationists from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and private developers with experience in entertainment districts such as Tempe Town Lake projects. Debate continues about balancing heritage conservation advocated by entities like Preserve Arizona with economic development strategies pursued by Downtown Phoenix Inc..
Category:Buildings and structures in Phoenix, Arizona Category:Sports venues in Arizona