Serving as an important sports and entertainment venue since 1976, it was time to update Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex’s (BJCC) Legacy Arena to better serve the community and compete with other cities in the region.

CCR and Populous Architecture designed a three-story curtain wall with Solarban^® 72 Acuity^® glass from Vitro Architectural Glass, vastly transforming the concrete, bunker-like building into a transparent facade. 

With copious daylighting now streaming into the open lobby, it’s hard to recognize the original George W. Qualls-designed building.

“The curtain wall system was used because we wanted create a dramatic, open, light-filled lobby with views to downtown,” related Populous Principal Jim Swords.

Solarban^® 72 Acuity^® glass by Vitro offered the architects' desired crisp, color-neutral aesthetic, together with the required solar control. 

“Since the glazing faces predominantly south, we were concerned about heat gain. The glass allows views while controlling solar heat gain in the lobby,” he explained.

The triple-silver Solarban^® 72 glass coating on Acuity^® low-iron glass ushers in 67% visible light transmittance while shielding 72% of the solar heat gain.

“The entire side of the building was taken off and large entry stairs were removed to create a new street level main entrance,” added Swords.

The design also opened the concourses to provide views directly into the seating bowl.

Fortunately, the existing building’s construction was robust enough to expose the entire south side without any structural modifications. At the same time, the team did have to remove the storm water pumps underneath the old stairs.

In addition to the daylit lobby, new stairs, elevators and escalators, the renovated Legacy Arena also presents a new tree-lined entry and complete interior renovation with new signage, and upgraded concessions stands and restrooms. 

In the seating bowl, two new premium seating levels with club-level boxes and VIP suites were added, in addition to a new sound system, lighting, 360-degree ribbon boards and other infrastructure. A larger loading dock was also installed to accommodate concerts and special events better.

The upgraded 335,000 square-foot multipurpose arena now offers 15,000 seats for basketball, 16,000 seats for center stage concerts and 12,000 seats for end stage concerts.

In addition to the recreational and performance events, the BJCC hosts conventions, trade shows, meetings, banquets, and educational, cultural, religious, and social functions for the community.

Along with the revamped Legacy Arena, the city also enlisted Populous to design the new 42,000-seat Protective Stadium as part of the BJCC Complex. Both buildings are located in the heart of downtown Birmingham and across the street from the Uptown entertainment district. While one side of the facilities is urban, the other faces a residential neighborhood. Consequently, Populous’ design had to be scaled to fit the site and surrounding buildings.

Additional Project Credits Include:

• Architect: Populous
• Glass Fabricator: Trulite (Lithia Springs, GA)
• Photography: Tom Kessler