A major new mixed-use complex is now taking shape in the Californian capital city of Sacramento, where work is progressing on the Golden 1 Center, a 779,200-square-foot (72,390-square-metre) arena that will soon serve as the new home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Designed by lead architect AECOM in partnership with Mark Dziewulski Architect, the Golden 1 Center will be an integral part of the Downtown Commons business and entertainment district, known locally as DoCo.

Aerial view of the Golden 1 Center and adjacent 16-storey tower site, image courtesy of golden1center.com

The facility, being built by project manager ICON Venue Group's lead builder Turner Construction, broke ground back in October 2014, and in the time since, the arena’s superstructure has been largely completed. The carbon- and grid-neutral, LEED Gold-certified sporting venue will be capable of hosting a capacity of 17,500 people for basketball, and an expanded capacity of 19,000 for concerts. The interior of the arena will include a number of innovative features, including a rooftop platform with light pipes that can be programmed by local artists to create light shows.

Golden 1 Center interior, image courtesy of golden1center.com

A 16-storey, $250 million mixed-use tower is currently being built in conjunction with the arena. The tower will house a 250-room Kimpton Hotel as well as 50 residential units, 35,000 square feet of office space, and 45,000 square feet of retail space.

Work on the 16-storey, mixed-use tower, image courtesy of golden1center.com

A tour of the facility was recently posted on the project's website featuring Golden 1 Center Senior VP/General Manager Juan Rodriguez, and Sacramento Kings fan and Kings.com contributor Kevin Fippin. 

An aerial video, captured in late-January via drone, provides further insight into the current stage of construction, while also helping to place the arena and adjacent tower into context.

Though ample parking will be provided in the blocks surrounding the facility, the Golden 1 Center is being constructed in close proximity to Sacramento Regional Transit LRT stations at 7th and K Streets, making trips to and from NBA games simple for public transit users. 

The Golden 1 Center is expected to be completed by October 2016, in time for the start of the 2016-17 NBA season. In addition to serving as the home court for the Sacramento Kings, the facility is also set to play host to the first and second rounds of the 2017 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in just over a year.

Rendering of the completed Golden 1 Center, image courtesy of golden1center.com

With the Sacramento Kings' new facility well underway, a range of options are being explored for the team's current home, the Sleep Train Arena, with more details expected in the near future.