Arena do Sport – design description

This private project was subject to lobbying back in 2011, but only took final shape when the design by Pontual Arquitetos and Tomas Taveira was revealed. The second name has to ring a bell here, since the proposed arena resembles a lot of his previous works, perhaps even too much.

Under club-coloured cladding two-tiered stands are to be found, divided by three levels of commercial skyboxes. Altogether, capacity is expected at some 46,000 people.

However, the new stadium is primarily the outcome of very lucrative location in Ilha do Retiro, where private investors will build two office towers, a shopping centre and hotel, joined by extensive multi-floor parking.

The parking will have indoor arena and training pitches atop, while next to it a small complex of swimming pools will be found. This way both commercial and sporting demand should be met, satisfying both Sport do Recife club and the investors.

Demolition of existing stadium should begin in 2013 and the entire complex is to be ready in 2016, possibly kept within the planned R$600 million budget.