Joe Louis Arena isn’t old or even aging. But it’s not very modern either. Let’s be clear: there is nothing wrong with the place. There are no posts in anybody’s way. The building is roomy. The seats are comfortable. The place is fine. But it is amazing — and a bit disconcerting — to discover that an arena that is less than 30 years old is somewhat outdated. After a night at the Joe, one wonders if the Red Wings have noticed some of the nifty recent changes in arena structure. Then again, boring sometimes work very well.Year Opened: 1979
Capacity: 20,066
Owner: City of Detroit (operated by Olympia Entertainment, Inc.)
Original Cost: $57 million
Suites: 81
Last Visit: September 20, 2007
Architect: Smith, Hinchmen & Grylls Associates
Web Site: olympiaentertainment.com, detroitredwings.com
Phone: 313/396-7444
Ticket Prices: $76-85 (lower level); $44-76 (Upper Level); $27 (Standing Room)
Parking: The Joe Louis Arena garage on W. Jefferson is connected to the building. Other public parking is available in garages downtown, from which you can take the People Mover to the arena.
Directions: 600 Civic Center Drive, Detroit, MI 48226. From Pontiac, Troy, Flint and Northern Suburbs: Take I-75 Southbound to I-375/Civic Center until it ends (about a mile). Head West on Jefferson and stay in the left lane. Go underneath Cobo Center and exit on West Jefferson. You’ll be directly in front of the Joe Louis Arena Parking Structure. From Southwest Detroit, Toledo and Downriver Suburbs: Take I-75 Northbound to the Lodge Freeway (M-10) South. Take to Lodge Southbound to the West Jefferson/Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage. From Mt. Clemens, Grosse Pointe, Port Huron and Eastern Suburbs: Follow I-94 West to the Lodge Freeway (M-10) Southbound. Take the Lodge to the West Jefferson/Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage. From Lansing, Livonia, Westland and Western Suburbs: (From Lansing area, take I-96 Eastbound to I-275 South) Take I-96 (Jeffries Freeway) Eastbound to the Lodge Freeway (M-10)/Civic Center exit. Follow the Lodge Southbound to the West Jefferson/Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage. From Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Central and Northwestern Detroit and Oakland County Suburbs: Follow Southbound Lodge (M10) to West Jefferson/Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage. From Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Inkster and Wayne: Follow Eastbound I-94 (Ford Freeway) to the Lodge (M-10) Southbound. Exit at the West Jefferson/ Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage.
Joe Louis Arena isn’t old or even aging. But it’s not very modern either. Let’s be clear: there is nothing wrong with the place. There are no posts in anybody’s way. The building is roomy. The seats are comfortable. The place is fine. But it is amazing — and a bit disconcerting — to discover that an arena that is less than 30 years old is somewhat outdated. After a night at the Joe, one wonders if the Red Wings have noticed some of the nifty recent changes in arena structure.
Then again, boring sometimes work very well.
