BRICK HOUSE: Suite renovations stay true to Bankers Life Fieldhouse’s retro theme. (Courtesy Indiana Pacers) How a $360M refurb will make Indy arena state of the art while keeping it retro Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the first retro-themed NBA arena, celebrates the rich heritage of basketball in the state of Indiana. More than 20 years after the venue opened in downtown Indianapolis, it’s going through a major  facelift to retain its distinction for future generations. The 18,000-seat arena, home to the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, was originally designed by the old Ellerbe Becket. It opened as Conseco Fieldhouse in November 1999 with lots of brick, a curved roofline and a tight seating bowl, all features of old gyms dotting the Hoosier State. The venue’s original price tag was $185 million. As the building approaches 25 years old, sports architect Populous designed comprehensive upgrades for the “Fieldhouse of the Future” at a cost of… Continue Reading Freshening Up the Fieldhouse

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