From Blueprint to Beacon: MLS Gets Acquainted with America's Newest Soccer City and Venue

In a city steeped in sports tradition and community spirit, St. Louis, Mo., has unfurled its next chapter with the inaugural season of CITYPARK Stadium, home to Major League Soccer’s newest franchise and hotbed of fútbol fanaticism. Nestled within the architectural splendor of the city’s Downtown West area, CITYPARK isn’t just an ode to soccer — it's a testament to urban rejuvenation, transformative design, and the immense power of collaboration.

Peeling back the layers of CITYPARK’s construction reveals way more than steel and glass — it unveils a story of civic determination, innovation, and teamwork. Let’s examine a few key aspects of this groundbreaking project, shed light on how CITYPARK epitomizes St. Louis's revitalized spirit, and discover why MLS Commissioner Don Garber described it as “a model for future professional sports teams in the U.S.”

A Shared Vision of Construction Excellence

Behind CITYPARK's grandeur is a fusion of architectural ingenuity and meticulous craftsmanship. Rising from the heart of St. Louis, the facility is as much a monument to a long-beloved sport as it is a beacon of the city's renewed vibrancy. Central to this vision was not only creating an unparalleled fan experience but also tapping into the community spirit for which St. Louis is known.

Within its architectural DNA, each beam and pane artfully balance modern innovation with the deep-rooted soccer culture of St. Louis. The stadium required an ambitious design to accommodate 22,500 seats – all within 120 feet of the pitch to ensure every spectator feels intimately connected to the action.

At the core of CITYPARK’s design are its sprawling curtain-wall exteriors which shape the stadium’s profile to enable a transparent and inclusive soccer atmosphere. The glass façade merges architectural elegance and fan-centric design. Between its open sightlines, ergonomic seating layouts, and advanced acoustics that contain the roar of the crowd, every detail was methodically planned and executed to enhance both the visual and sensory experience for each attendee.

The Design: Infusing Purpose & Meaning

Internationally renowned architect Julie Snow, in collaboration with St. Louis-based HOK, envisioned a soccer venue that went beyond function to embed itself in the very fabric of the city. The canopy roof, for instance, pays homage to the iconic Gateway Arch with its metallic materials. Its open-corner design draws fans together for matches, and the surrounding plaza area provides flexibility for hosting other events on non-game days. CITYPARK is a prime example of how iconic landmarks and innovative design can coalesce, crafting a fresh yet familiar city narrative.

Building on that design philosophy, Jeff Verkamp, Senior Associate and Senior Project Architect at HOK, said the project was made possible through careful planning, collaboration, and a commitment to integrating local cultural elements with advanced architectural techniques.

Photo Courtesy Michael Robinson Photography LLC

"The heart of CITYPARK’s design was the detailed use of glazing systems, designed to seamlessly blend into the neighborhood's pedestrian environment," Verkamp noted. "The expert implementation of these elements stands as a testament to an unwavering commitment to excellence, a reflection of the collaborative efforts that brought this landmark project to life. It was imperative to collaborate with partners who were dedicated, technically adept, and communicative, to achieve our goal of designing an enduring, visually captivating venue that will delight St. Louis residents for many future generations."

More than a Traditional Soccer Stadium

While the stadium emerges as CITYPARK's stunning centerpiece, the campus’s holistic, 30-acre design also includes a state-of-the-art training facility, three practice fields, a pavilion with retail and dining, and a premium parking garage complete with EV charging stations. CITYPARK is one of the unique professional sports venues in the U.S. and is the sole MLS club to combine its stadium, team headquarters, training center, and practice areas in one unified downtown location. Incorporating these elements demonstrates CITY's aspiration to not only catalyze economic development in the Downtown West area, but to elevate the sport in a market whose soccer potential went untapped for years in the absence of an MLS franchise.

An Industry Veteran’s Homecoming Project

For IWR North America’s Bryan Sullivan, overseeing the transformation of CITYPARK was a professional milestone and a deeply personal journey. With a career spanning over 40 years in the building enclosure industry, he’s been at the helm of numerous architectural success stories across the nation. Yet, CITYPARK stands above all because it was the first major project he’s led in his hometown of St. Louis.

“Soccer has always held a special place in the heart of St. Louis, but the full magnitude of its popularity became apparent as this project came to life,” remarked Sullivan, a Senior Project Manager. “To be part of such a monumental endeavor in the very city I call home has been the crowning achievement of my four-decade-long career.”

Directing multiple site crews and ensuring the timely arrival of essential materials — a task vital for maintaining the precise choreography of the project's broader workflow — Sullivan was pivotal in upholding IWR’s scope of work within CITYPARK's elaborate blueprint. In the face of COVID-era supply chain disruptions, crews collaborated effectively to guarantee every element, from the glass and aluminum doors to the internal and external storefronts and the impressive 70,000 square feet of glazing systems, melded seamlessly into the master design.

Under Sullivan’s guidance, the IWR project teams worked together in orchestral harmony with all project partners. Every individual, be it layout experts, metal framing crews, or specialty door installers, played a part in this grand symphony of construction to ensure the vision for CITYPARK was realized without a hitch.

Sullivan’s insights also illuminate the ripple effect that CITYPARK has set in motion. "Beyond the stadium, the entire area has come alive,” he said. “Developments adjacent to the stadium have sprung up, breathing new life into the neighborhood, and enhancing the urban experience. It’s been quite a sight to behold and hopefully it helps improve the perception of Downtown St. Louis as a premier destination.”

CITYPARK, realized through the efforts of Sullivan and his fellow construction professionals, showcases the expertise and dedication that such ambitious projects demand while also emphasizing the deep intertwining of personal legacies with urban transformations. In CITYPARK, St. Louis has written a fresh narrative where stories of people like Sullivan converge with the city's promising soccer future.

About the Author

Mike Smalley has more than 10 years of experience at IWR North America, a contractor specializing in building enclosures. As director of preconstruction, he excels in developing and deploying innovative solutions for complex building enclosures through the application of best practices. Smalley is dedicated to growing the business by fostering open discussions with contractors, designers, building owners, and consultants to deliver value-added opportunities. With a focus on excellence and collaboration, he contributes to the success of IWR as an industry-leading building enclosure contractor. Learn more at www.iwr-na.com.