Edward Jones Dome

Edward Jones Dome
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Name	Edward Jones Dome
Caption	Exterior view of the Edward Jones Dome in 2010
Location	St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Coordinates	38.6316°N 90.1922°W
Broke ground	1992
Opened	1995
Closed	2014
Demolished	2019
Owner	City of St. Louis
Operator	St. Louis Rams (operational tenant)
Surface	artificial turf
Architect	Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum
Structural engineer	William Tao & Associates
General contractor	McCarthy Building Companies
Capacity	66,400 (football)
Tenants	St. Louis Rams (NFL; 1995–2015)

Edward Jones Dome

The Edward Jones Dome was a domed multi-purpose stadium located in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States. It served as the home field for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League from 1995 until the team's relocation in 2016, and hosted concerts, conventions, and collegiate athletics. The venue was developed through a partnership involving the City of St. Louis, local civic leaders, and private contractors, and later became central to debates over stadium financing, urban redevelopment, and municipal bonds.

History

The project emerged in the early 1990s after the departure of the St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) to Phoenix and amid efforts by the St. Louis Convention Bureau and Mayor Clarence Harmon to revitalize downtown St. Louis. Political negotiations involved the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, the Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, and state legislators in Jefferson City. Public financing proposals referenced municipal bond measures and incentives tied to the Missouri General Assembly. The stadium's naming rights were acquired by Edward Jones Investments, reflecting corporate sponsorship trends exemplified by facilities such as Jacobs Field and Coors Field. The arrival of the St. Louis Rams followed an agreement mediated by team owner Georgia Frontiere and later owner Chip Rosenbloom, whose tenure intersected with NFL relocation discussions involving Los Angeles and Anaheim. The venue also figured in litigation and arbitration involving franchise operations under the auspices of the National Football League Players Association and local promoters.

Design and Construction

Design responsibilities were led by Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, with structural engineering by William Tao & Associates and construction management by McCarthy Building Companies. Site selection put the stadium adjacent to Convention Center (St. Louis), the Gateway Arch National Park, and Laclede's Landing, integrating with the St. Louis Riverfront master plans. The dome roof system used an air-supported membrane inspired by earlier projects such as Metrodome and engineers consulted precedents including Kingdome and Silverdome. The playing surface accommodated artificial turf installations similar to those used in Ralph Wilson Stadium renovations. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were coordinated with firms experienced on major arenas like Madison Square Garden. Transportation planning referenced proximity to Interstate 64, Interstate 70, and the St. Louis MetroLink system, with parking strategy tied to municipal garages managed by the St. Louis Lambert International Airport authority and downtown business improvement districts.

Events and Tenants

Primary tenancy was held by the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League from 1995 through the 2015 season; marquee NFL events included regular-season games and playoff contests culminating in the Rams' Super Bowl XXXIV victory celebration. Collegiate events featured programs from Saint Louis University and tournament games sanctioned by the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament at regional levels. The dome hosted concerts by touring acts represented by promoters such as AEG Presents and Live Nation, and large-scale events including conventions organized by the American Library Association and trade shows coordinated with the Saint Louis Convention and Visitors Commission. Other sporting tenants and events included exhibitions by Major League Soccer teams, professional wrestling from WWE, and indoor lacrosse games affiliated with the National Lacrosse League. The facility was also used as an emergency staging site during municipal responses coordinated with FEMA and state agencies.

Renovations and Upgrades

Throughout its operational life, the venue underwent upgrades addressing seating, technology, and amenities. Improvements included new scoreboards and video boards supplied by vendors such as Daktronics, sound system overhauls with consultants experienced on projects like Staples Center, and locker-room renovations informed by standards at Gillette Stadium. Lighting retrofits advanced in partnership with local utilities regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission, and accessibility upgrades complied with policies influenced by the Americans with Disabilities Act implementation frameworks. Roof maintenance and HVAC refurbishment involved contracts with regional engineering firms that had worked on projects for Busch Stadium and other Missouri venues. Discussions of larger-scale renovation packages were central to negotiations with the National Football League and owner Stan Kroenke during relocation and stadium financing debates.

Closure, Demolition, and Redevelopment

Following the announcement of the St. Louis Rams relocation, the facility saw declining usage and discussions with the City of St. Louis and developers including Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and local redevelopment agencies. Closure timelines were influenced by bond covenants overseen by the Missouri State Auditor and legal agreements adjudicated in state courts. The structure was decommissioned and demolition processes were executed by contractors experienced with urban site remediation, echoing precedents like the demolition of Three Rivers Stadium and Giants Stadium. Site redevelopment proposals involved stakeholders such as the St. Louis Development Corporation and private developers pursuing mixed-use projects tied to the Gateway Mall and riverfront plans. Environmental remediation and brownfield considerations referenced assessments coordinated with the Environmental Protection Agency regional office. The cleared site became part of long-term urban planning dialogues addressing downtown land use, transit-oriented development near the St. Louis MetroLink, and economic strategies promoted by the Regional Chamber.

Category:Sports venues in St. Louis Category:Former National Football League stadiums