Among the most distinctive venue elements planned for the San Francisco 49ers' new 68,000-seat stadium is an open-view corridor at the north end that provides views of the surrounding community and San Francisco Bay.
Other design elements include elevated promenades, wide concourses with views of the field from every level, and plazas that will be open to the public year-round.
The stadium features a large lower bowl with seating for two-thirds of the fans. The upper deck will be lower and closer to the action on the field than typical NFL stadiums. This is made possible by stacking all the suites on the west side of the stadium.
The team hopes to construct the new stadium in Candlestick Point, in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point community, to replace its 46-year-old current venue, Monster Park, in time for the 2012 NFL season. It will be expandable to host premier events like the Super Bowl and Olympic ceremonies, and is designed to accommodate major soccer events.
The team's architect is HNTB Architecture, Kansas City, Mo.