HOF: New Facade to Unite Soccer Fans and Non-Fans
FRISCO - It’s an worldwide symbol of the sport, an identifying mark for the most passionate of fans and, now, it’s the beacon of American soccer history.
When the National Soccer Hall of Fame reaches completion in 2018, the scarf seen at games around the world will take on new life prominently atop the newest addition to Toyota Stadium along Main Street in Frisco.
“All fans of soccer - and even non-fans of soccer - recognize the importance of the scarf and the tradition of it,” FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said of the design. “We decided to build the scarfing element as that sort of traditional connection for all people with the game.”
The structure will have a white finish that can be illuminated any number of colors to celebrate FC Dallas wins or any game, concert or event at the stadium, the scarfed design atop the $40 million-dollar Toyota Stadium renovations investment will become an iconic and unmistakable part of the venue, Frisco and FC Dallas.
“From the Tollway and from Main Street, it will be a great way to let people know where the stadium is,” Hunt said. “You see downtown really starting to be developed. We think it will be a nice, modern blend with some of the old traditional stuff that makes Frisco historic. We’re excited about the development to our East and more multi-family coming in to the South, and potentially some interesting districts that are happening.”
The new design is a departure from the modern feel the original plans had, but one that Hunt feels fits more within the overall community landscape - both of Frisco and soccer as a whole - while maintaining its own edge.
“Our first stab at the building that we then went back and redesigned had a very metal façade which just didn’t really fit with the sort of urban plan here, especially the town center plan of Frisco,” he admitted. “We went back with some of that information and redesigned. Obviously it’s a modern-looking building, but we wanted to harken back to the tradition of soccer. What one element would really resonate with soccer fans, not only in America, but globally?”
With seating in the South End set to be completed this coming winter, the new locker rooms, lower level club, patio, team store, roof structure and the Main Street entrance are all set to come online during the 2018 MLS campaign before the exhibits and the full National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum fully opens in late 2018.
“I would say it’s the finish out of an AT&T Stadium meets the history and nostalgia of a Canton or Cooperstown. It’s such a unique, interactive and everyday element of our stadium,” Hunt said. “We’ve come up with a model that will give everyone a taste of the history of the game in this country in a meaningful and impactful way that they will remember and be excited to come back.”