Located on the same site as the old Omni, Philips Arena is the home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers. Completed in 1999, the consensus was the $213 million bowl would begin revitalizing the downtown’s declining entertainment market. Philips Arena is built adjacently to the CNN Center, and the sweeping roof — which is patterned after the opera house in Sydney, Australia — spells out CNN in its supporting columns.
Year Opened: 1999
Capacity: 20,000
Architect: HOK Sport
Web Site: philipsarena.com
Phone: 404/878-3000
Anchor Tenants: Atlanta Hawks (NBA) / Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
Parking: Parking is available in the various lots around the arena including the CNN Decks and Centennial Garage located on Centennial Olympic Park Drive across from the arena. CNN Decks and Centennial Garage may also be entered from Spring Street. Accessible parking is available in both lots.Parking is also available at the Philips Arena lot on Park Avenue West (formally Foundry Street). Take Marietta Street southbound. Turn left onto Park Avenue West. At the fork bear to the right and proceed ahead. The Philips Arena / Alright Lot is located on the left. This lot will accommodate buses and large vans.
Directions: 1 Philips Dr. Atlanta GA 30303. From North of Atlanta: Take I-75/I-85 South Exit at Williams Street – Exit 249C. Turn right on Baker Street. Turn left onto Centennial Olympic Park Drive (formerly Techwood Drive). From South of Atlanta: Take I-75/I-85 North Exit at Andrew Young International Blvd. – Exit 248C (one way street). Turn left onto Centennial Olympic Park Drive (formerly Techwood Drive). From East of Atlanta: Take I-20 West
Exit at Windsor/Spring St – Exit 56B. Turn right onto Spring Street. Turn left onto Marietta Street. Turn left onto Centennial Olympic Park Drive (formerly Techwood Drive). From West of Atlanta: Take I-20 East. Exit at Windsor/Spring St – Exit 56B. Turn left onto Spring St. Turn left onto Marietta Street. Turn left onto Centennial Olympic Park Drive (formerly Techwood Drive). Taking MARTA: Philips Arena/CNN Center is located on the East/West line just one stop west of the Five Points Station.
History
Located on the same site as the old Omni, Philips Arena is the home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers. Completed in 1999, the consensus was the $213 million bowl would begin revitalizing the downtown’s declining entertainment market. Philips Arena is built adjacently to the CNN Center, and the sweeping roof — which is patterned after the opera house in Sydney, Australia — spells out CNN in its supporting columns.
The arrangement of the arena’s seating is unique, with club seats and luxury boxes along one side of the playing surface, and with general admission seating along the other three sides. This was done to bring more seats closer to the playing area, while still having a large number of club seats. During a conversation between ESPN’s Gary Thorne and Bill Clement, they noted this new concept of having one side comprised entirely of suites, with Clement adding, "This is one fabulous building, folks. And they’ve thought of everything."
