Rays unveil plans for MLB’s ‘most intimate’ ballpark

Tropicana Field’s proposed replacement may have a fixed roof, but a power hitter could – in theory – knock a ball out of the park and into a St. Petersburg street.

The Tampa Bay Rays have released new details and renderings for a $1.3 billion stadium in a reimagined Historic Gas Plant District downtown. The much-anticipated information and corresponding visuals come two weeks before the city council discusses the project with administrators and team officials June 12.

Operational glass panels surround the stadium’s upper edges, simultaneously promoting outdoor connectivity and protecting fans from inclement weather. Team officials cannot retract the roof like a convertible car but can roll the windows down during clear skies.

“I do think you could have a home run hit that trickles its way out on Second Avenue (South),” said Rays president Matt Silverman. “It would require a couple of fans missing the ball and slapping it backward, but it is possible that a ball could end up on Second Avenue.”

The boutique ballpark’s lone upper deck will overlook home plate.

What will set the St. Pete ballpark apart is a feeling of intimacy typically only found in basketball and hockey arenas. Zach Allee, principal and senior architect for design firm Populous, explained that a pavilion-style roof will cover the stadium’s edges, or “front porches.”

He noted the local cultural importance of those gathering spaces. “Through our research – the Historic Gas Plant neighborhood’s homes all had porches. That’s a place where a lot of the community was built; where relationships were formed, and stories were told.”

The ballpark will feature tiered levels at 60 and 90 feet, with the sloped roof topping out at 240 feet in the center. Images show the lower heights corresponding with historic buildings.

About 70% of the stadium’s 30,000 fixed seats will occupy the lower levels. The lone upper deck will overlook home plate.

“We have designed the most intimate ballpark in baseball,” Silverman said. “The seats will be as close to the field as any in baseball. That’s going to be the calling card of this ballpark.”

Operational glass walls lead to covered balconies that will serve as the ballpark’s “porches.”

He added that the glass-walled concourse would provide “360-degree circulation.” Populous designed various seating “neighborhoods,” and fans should only have to cross a couple of rows to reach aisles leading to concession and entertainment options.

Several thousand standing-room-only seats will accommodate a more communal experience. Silverman said the design equally caters to those who want to be a part of the on-field action and casual fans more interested in social aspects.

Several expansive openings will allow people to walk in and out of the ballpark. Canopies will cover the porches, and renderings show attendees interacting with pedestrians passing by vibrant shops and restaurants.

A community plaza in the northwest corner of the ballpark site, adjacent to Second Avenue, will serve as a pregame and postgame activity hub. That leads to an entertainment village featuring a music venue, the Booker Ballroom.

Allee said the plaza would serve as the “living room for St. Petersburg, with all these activities happening around it.” Allee said it would also offer gathering space for graduations, conventions and other non-gameday functions.

Most people will enter the ballpark and walk down to their seats due to the site’s natural slope. The Rays are eschewing suites in favor of new premium viewing options, a unique aspect aided by a fixed roof protecting from the elements.

“We’re looking to design something for everyone,” Allee said. “And looking at Tampa Bay – and St. Petersburg and Rays fans, specifically – to make very unique seating and fan experiences that align with their desires in the market.”

He reiterated that the design must accommodate year-round events. Integrated restaurants and breweries will also remain open during the offseason.

A new rendering shows the ballpark hosting a large-scale concert with a stage and video boards in the outfield. Rays president Brian Auld said the intimate seating and acoustic work would make baseball games and “any number of other events we intend to host that much better.”

Populous designed the ballpark to host large-scale events seamlessly.

The Rays have prioritized highlighting the Gas Plant’s African American history. Silverman said that would include dedicating space to St. Petersburg’s affiliation with baseball’s Negro Leagues. He also noted that MLB officials recently announced they will officially recognize those players and statistics.

Another image shows fans standing next to fountains. Silverman said the new ballpark would feature a “successor” to the Trop’s stingray touch tank, but the team has not decided “what shape it will take.”

“It’s such an iconic feature at Tropicana Field,” he added. “It’s one we’re looking to expand into the new ballpark.”