Barclays Center
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| Barclays Center | |
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| Name | Barclays Center |
| Caption | Exterior view of the arena in 2012 |
| Location | Brooklyn, New York City, United States |
| Opened | September 2012 |
| Owner | Brooklyn Arena Local Development Corporation |
| Operator | BSE Global |
| Capacity | 17,732 (basketball) |
| Architect | SHoP Architects, Ellerbe Becket |
| Cost | $1 billion+ |
Barclays Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Brooklyn, New York City, opened in September 2012. It serves as a major venue for National Basketball Association games, National Hockey League-caliber events, concerts, and cultural performances, and anchors a mixed-use development in the neighborhood. The arena's arrival involved developers, municipal authorities, and community groups, sparking debates among City of New York officials, preservationists, and civic organizations.
History
The arena project traces to proposals by private developers including Bruce Ratner and his company Forest City Enterprises, who partnered with municipal entities like the Brooklyn borough president's office and the New York City Economic Development Corporation to secure approvals. Political figures such as Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio were involved at different stages of permitting and public negotiation. Community opposition included activists associated with groups like Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn and litigation that reached the New York State Supreme Court. Financing drew on public-private mechanisms favored by entities like the Brooklyn Arena Local Development Corporation and involved tax incentives debated by members of the New York City Council and New York State Legislature. Construction controversies encompassed eminent domain disputes, workforce agreements with unions such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, and local preservation concerns tied to nearby landmarks in Fort Greene and Prospect Heights.
Architecture and design
Designed by SHoP Architects with consulting firms including Ellerbe Becket (now part of AECOM), the arena features a distinctive weathered steel facade and an oculus at the main entrance. The design references industrial materials common to DUMBO and the waterfront neighborhoods, while integrating a canopy and public plaza intended to connect with transit hubs like Atlantic Terminal and Pacific Street (Atlantic Terminal) station. Interior planning accommodated sightlines for tenants such as the Brooklyn Nets and concert promoters like AEG Presents and CCA (Live Nation) influences, with seating bowls and luxury suites influenced by contemporaneous arenas including Madison Square Garden and the Staples Center. Landscape and public realm work involved coordination with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and local civic associations.
Events and tenants
Primary sports tenants include the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association and, for occasional events, minor-league and exhibition hockey and basketball teams. The arena has hosted major concerts by artists such as Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Kanye West, as well as residencies and televised events including Saturday Night Live-adjacent performances and awards shows like ceremonies tied to the MTV Video Music Awards and televised boxing matches promoted by companies such as Premier Boxing Champions. The venue has been used for esports tournaments involving organizations like Major League Gaming and for cultural events organized by institutions such as Brooklyn Academy of Music and touring productions including Cirque du Soleil.
Transportation and access
The arena is adjacent to major transit hubs including Atlantic Terminal, served by Long Island Rail Road, the New York City Subway lines at Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center station, and multiple MTA Regional Bus Operations routes. Road access involves proximity to the Brooklyn–Queens Expressway and surface arteries like Flatbush Avenue. Bike and pedestrian planning connected to Brooklyn initiatives included coordination with New York City Department of Transportation bike lanes and the Brooklyn Greenway Project. Parking and drop-off logistics were managed in collaboration with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and municipal traffic management plans during marquee events.
Economic and community impact
The arena catalyzed large-scale development in the surrounding area, influencing projects by firms such as Forest City Ratner Companies and investment by developers linked to BSE Global and institutional lenders. Proponents cited job creation connected to construction and operations, with hiring commitments involving unions like the Service Employees International Union and workforce development programs coordinated with New York City Economic Development Corporation. Critics pointed to displacement concerns in nearby neighborhoods including Fort Greene and Bedford–Stuyvesant, debates over affordable housing tied to rezoning actions by the New York City Planning Commission, and disputes over public subsidies scrutinized by watchdogs such as New York City Comptroller offices and civic law firms. The arena's tax and revenue arrangements affected municipal budgeting discussions involving the New York State Assembly and influenced subsequent sports and entertainment projects in the region.
Category:Sports venues in Brooklyn Category:Music venues in New York City