Case Study

Coolray Field, Gwinnett Stripers Stadium Food, Views and History Merge at New Ballpark

Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA

The Challenge

Away for 50 years, the Gwinnett Stripers (formerly the Gwinnett Braves) return to the Atlanta area where they were founded in 1901. Looking for a sense of home, they sought a world-class ballpark that would tell the story of America’s pastime and connect the century-old team with a new audience that had to be designed and constructed in 14 months.

The Design Solution

HKS researched Gwinnett’s history and discovered the strength of the clothing and textile industry, housed in brick warehouses throughout the County. Drawing from the area’s rich history of baseball and textile industry, HKS developed a design that reunited the brick and steel of Georgian warehouses with the modern concepts fans expect in a modern baseball stadium, including concession stands that allow fans to watch the game while waiting in line. HKS created a new mixed-use district with an urban grid around the stadium to carefully create vistas into the ballpark. Anchoring the mixed-use district, Coolray Field treats up to 10,427 fans to 360-degree views of the field, features two restaurants, two party decks, and an outdoor play area designed for family activities. Even with such diverse programming, the stadium retains an intimate and familiar ambiance that elevates everyday life and ties it to the great American tradition of baseball.

The Design Impact

Designed and constructed in 14 months, the project’s success is a testament to a successful design/build partnership with construction firm Barton Marlow, the County, and the Braves. As the community around it continues to evolve, the field remains a vibrant destination, creating a sense of place and pointing to the community’s shared history. The master planned framework prepared by HKS has resulted in the development of two residential towers and a grocery store, using the ballpark as a catalyst for that development.

Project Features

  • 7,243 fixed seats
  • 2,757 berm seats
  • 274 club seats
  • Club restaurant
  • 21 standard suites
  • One super suite
  • Suite Bar
  • 360-degree concourse
  • Concourse bar
  • Two party decks
  • Player’s clubhouse
  • Team training facilities
  • Team offices
  • Commissary
  • Team store
  • Picnic area
  • Kid’s play area

This ballpark will be one impressive facility. Our architecture firm, HKS, has blended the state of the art with a sense of history and nostalgia that will place this ballpark among the best in the nation.

Chairman of the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors