Isotopes Park

By Edith Cherry and James See – September 18, 2019

1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Access: (505) 924-2255 | Isotopes Park

Isotopes Stadium, a near 100% replacement of the original Albuquerque Dukes Stadium, is a colorful stage set for the Albuquerque Isotopes, a Colorado Rockies farm team. While the strict criteria of a symmetrical playing field and the maximization of seats with good view angles dictate much of the design of sports stadiums, this venue meets those requirements in a festive, colorful shell. It also retains one to the original stadium’s features loved by the fans: a view to the Sandia Mountains at sunset.

The layout provides many features of major league stadiums: a concourse where fans can see the field while standing in line for food and drink; suites at the upper levels, a variety of seating types, and sufficient sideline areas for between-inning entertainment.

Even the structural systems that support the upper stands are playful in their design. The plates that connect the supporting trusses’ components are circles, exaggerated beyond their necessary size, adding a decorative detail. The signage colors and artwork are a delightful statement as well. The overall architectural message is to relax and have a good time.

Completed: 2003
Architect: HOK Sport
Associate Architect: SMPC Architects
Contractor: Bradbury Stamm Construction, Inc.
Landscape Architect: MRWM Landscape Architects (Morrow Reardon Wilkinson Miller)

Awards:
NMAF Architecture + Community Award (2018)
Associated General Contractors, Best Buildings, Grand Winner (2004)
Southwest Contractor Award, Best Renovation Over $5M (2004)
NAIOP Award of Excellence and President’s Award (2003)

Learn More:
Isotopes Park  (Wikipedia)

On how the Isotopes got their name . . . :
Latta, Dennis, “Team President Throws Isotopes Name Into Play,” Albuquerque Journal, web archive (Sept. 5, 2002)

9/18/19