Opened in July 2001, the American Airlines Center is designed as the centerpiece of Victory, a 70-acre urban development just north of the historic West End in downtown Dallas.  Home to the Dallas Stars Hockey Club and the Dallas Mavericks Basketball Club, the center is planned as Dallas’ premier venue for over 250 sporting and entertainment events each year, including the circus, ice shows, athletic competitions, and concerts.

The 850,000 SF center seats 19,200 fans for basketball, and 18,000 fans for hockey.  The building’s brick and limestone façade is broken down into smaller elements that foster a pedestrian-friendly streetscape.  Each of the building’s five concourses is designed as a sequence of public rooms rather than a continuous racetrack-like corridor found in most arenas, allowing the building to be entered through four major lobbies.  Each of the four main lobbies looks out onto a unique view of Dallas, allowing natural light to illuminate the space and providing an easy orientation for the building’s patrons.  Basketball, hockey and civic imagery are integrated into the interior details, including the railings, light fixtures, column capitals, and terrazzo floors.  As well, patrons can enjoy state-of-the-art amenities such as in-seat Internet access, cuisine prepared by world-renowned chefs, and over fifty restaurants, bars and concessions.