Fertitta Center, University of Houston

Introduction

After opening in 1969 and hosting sporting events and concerts for five decades, it was time for a major upgrade to the University of Houston’s basketball arena. Originally named the Hofheinz Pavilion, the new Fertitta Center hosts men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams, in addition to live music concerts and other special events.

Although the pavilion had undergone some renovations in the early 1990s, the University announced plans for a $40 million renovation to the arena in 2010. With the renovation request approvals from the Board of Regents system, alumnus Tilman Fertitta announced a $20 million gift for the renovation project, pushing the budget to almost $60 million. Construction began in the spring of 2017 at the end of the basketball season, and the new arena debuted on Dec. 1, 2018.

The  Story

Exterior and interior renovations transformed the entire pavilion. The exterior plan replaced precast panels at the outside corners with new curtain walls that introduce natural light and provide a true sense of arrival for visitors. Once inside, visitors are greeted with large entry lobbies and “fan zones” that feature food service options and gathering spaces. The design inside the pavilion reconfigured the bowl (court/playing area) and moved mid-court seating closer to the game action with floor level seating. In addition, more than 700 premium seats were added to give fans more luxury options. Lastly, renovations also included a new audio system, sports lighting, video boards and new concession areas.

The four new concession areas required surfacing that complemented the University athletics’ style and would be durable and impact resistant. The design team chose Crossville Porcelain Tile Panels by Laminam for the wall space surrounding the service counters, as well as behind the food supply areas on the back walls. Crossville’s Oxide collection in the Grigio colorway provided a subtle, metallic glimmer effect interpreted in a stylish, industrial look that brightens the overall concession space and blends perfectly with the Cougars’ team colors of gray and red. The powerful porcelain body of these tile panels ensures the surfaces will perform with strength long-term.

Timeframes were crucial to this project as the new center needed to be complete for the start of basketball season. Short lead times and product availability played a role, and the selection of Crossville’s porcelain tile panels was one of the early product selections.

In addition to the concession areas, the design team chose Crossville’s Cross-Colors in Onyx for the access stairs to the lower levels. Providing beautiful color transition from the main floor to the lower level access, Crossville’s Cross-Colors floor tiles offer deep, dark gray hues that will last for decades.