Kansas City, MO—September 19, 2023
Generator Studio, a Kansas City-based architecture and interior design firm, has been selected as Architect of Record by the Chicago Blackhawks for a 135,000 sq. ft. expansion to Fifth Third Arena. Currently, the arena has two sheets of ice and serves as the practice facility for the team. The privately-funded $65 million expansion is being planned with the goal of establishing the facility as a world-class community ice arena and a hub for Midwest hockey.
The expansion will include:
Two additional rinks to serve the entire community and grow the game. Ice time is in great demand, and additional rinks can serve more kids and adults in ice sports, plus host youth and amateur hockey clubs, figure skating, and national/international competitions. One rink has capacity for up to 1,500 patrons.
Improved pedestrian connections to the adjacent Malcolm X College, enhanced walkways for pedestrian and bicycle safety, significant expansion of bike storage and parking including E/V charging stations.
Clear pathways connecting to Chicago Transit Authority’s public transportation system.
Multi-purpose spaces for after school programming.
Hospitality spaces to support community and corporate events.
An outdoor patio and public café with healthy menu options for the community to enjoy.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2024 with the opening anticipated for early 2026.
Generator Studio has been a design partner within the NHL community since its founding, having worked with the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lighting and Seattle Kraken.
“What ties our clients together is the focus on growing the game of hockey and building strong connections to the community, particularly with providing access to hockey for people from all socio-economic classes and areas of the city. We’ve excelled in designing sports facilities around these objectives with sustainable solutions,” said Tom Proebstle, co-founder of Generator Studio. “It’s an incredible honor to go from working with the NHL’s newest team, the Seattle Kraken, to partnering with a revered Original Six team, the Chicago Blackhawks.”
About Generator Studio
Generator Studio represents the next generation in sports & entertainment architecture. Different by design, Generator blends the technical chops of legacy firms with the curated design sensibility of the hospitality industry. Balancing luxury with functionality, connecting story and place, and designing for lasting impressions form the studio’s design philosophy.
Generator has been named a Best Employer in Sports by Front Office Sports, AIAKC 2023 Firm of the Year and to Architizer’s Global Design Firms to Watch list. Current clients include the Seattle Kraken, Kansas City Current and Live Nation.