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Time Warner Cable Arena
Reflecting the Past, Embracing the Future
By Julianne Winkler Smith

Charlotte, North Carolina is a thriving modern community. It boasts the second largest financial center in the United States, a consistently growing population of young, educated professionals, and chic cultural attractions enticing both visitors and residents alike. But this present-day prosperity is deeply rooted in a 250-year history of hardworking, ambitious and enterprising inhabitants. And over the years of steady growth, the city has been built up from the red clay at its foundation. Today, glimmering highrises stand proudly and protectively amid their historic brick siblings – the architectural landscape naturally reflecting both the Southern heritage and progressive attitude.

The Time Warner Cable Arena (formerly the Charlotte Bobcats Arena) stands in the historic center of Charlotte, its organic, circular structure allowing for an inherent embrace by the fast-paced city around it. This $265-million, 780,000 square-foot arena was completed in October of 2005 and occupies nine acres of downtown real estate. It is the home of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats and plays host to 150 events per year, including various sporting events, concerts and conventions.

But the venue is not just another arena. It was created for Charlotte, by Charlotte, perfectly heralding the past, present and future of the Queen City. According to Marley Carroll, FAIA, who was senior principal at Odell Associates, Inc. during the project, “The brick, which constitutes the majority of the exterior material, reflects the strong industrial past of Charlotte, and it’s married with metal and glass panels to reflect the modern direction and economical strength of the city today.” Odell Associates, along with Ellerbe Becket and The Freelon Group, Inc., made up the integrated team of architects that birthed this unique structure…but they had a little help.

Although the spectacular interior (capacity, seating, locker rooms, etc.) was created via the vast experience of the architectural firms involved, the character and design of the exterior was highly influenced by the city of Charlotte itself – including city leaders and residents. “Several public meetings were held to obtain community input for the structure’s concept,” explains Carroll, now the vice-president of design for ClarkNexsen. “We collected input, ideas and even drawings from the public and local government to be sure the arena was an accurate reflection of the community of which it is a part.” Ultimately, everyone involved agreed: this structure had to be compatible with the city’s historical look and feel. But also, it had to proclaim the fact that Charlotte is a vital community with a bright future. And because the design team leaders cared to embrace not only the surrounding geography, but also the area’s inhabitants, the resulting structure is uniquely Charlotte.

A Planned Revival
In almost every city around the nation – large and small – urban renewal efforts seem to be a current passion of local government and a new generation of city dwellers. Charlotte is no different. “The arena was intended to be a catalyst for growth and development in the vicinity,” Carroll elaborates. “It was designed to support and encourage revitalization downtown. The urban design master plan encompassed the site and the surrounding areas,” he continues, “so area context greatly influenced the shape and design of the structure.” The entire perimeter is scaled for pedestrians and cars at the street level. There is surrounding retail, restaurants and commerce, all with a pedestrian-friendly design. Intentions have indeed become reality, as today the arena is embraced by well-planned commercial and residential development, as well as a light rail corridor with a convenient stop at the venue.

Another key facet of the revitalization effort initiated by the arena is the use of materials seen throughout the historic district. According to Mike Umphlett, in architectural sales for Triangle Brick, the Durham-based brick supplier for this inspirational project, “Red clay is indigenous to Charlotte. If you look around at the historical buildings – the textile mills, warehouses, factories, etc. – you’ll see red brick everywhere. So red brick was the natural choice for the arena. Because the design team was looking for a brick to keep the flavor native to Charlotte's architecture,” Umphlett continues, “we submitted a Utility Brick (nominal size 4 x 12 x 4 inches) Flashed Wire Cut, a red brick with flashing – a perfect match for the area.”

To maintain the pedestrian-friendly scale imperative to the urban master plan, the size of brick had to be considered as well. According to Carroll, “Because the structure is so immense, we chose to use jumbo bricks for an increased unit size. This way, the desired scale was achieved.” Additionally, tapered columns adorn the courtyard at the arena’s entrance. “For these columns,” Umphlett adds, “specially-shaped bricks were manufactured to create an historical, yet contemporary, look.” In fact, the structure’s brick worked so well in the design that it garnered a North Carolina Brick Award (2007) from the North Carolina American Institute of Architects.

Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena is a comfortable marriage of old and new, historical and progressive...red clay brick reminiscent of textile mills gone silent, capped by shining metal and glass reflecting a glorious future. This impeccably designed structure is a perfect emblem of the city it represents.