The Lexus Lounge was recently added to Bridgestone Arena to transform the VIP experience of visiting fans. The private 450-member club boasts the PixelFLEX FLEXUltra LED wall that is 47ft in width and 7ft in height behind the bar, displaying a panoramic, high definition view of Nashville Predators games and other entertainment events held within the facility.
"Our mission at Bridgestone Arena is to be the number one sports and entertainment venue in the United States, and the building of the Lexus Lounge and all that it encompasses fits right along with that," said Chris Junghans, senior vice-president of corporate development for the Nashville Predators. "As an entire space, the Lexus Lounge is unlike anything else the region has to offer. Everything the Lounge provides in-game, including the one-of-a-kind visual experience the convex LED wall brings to the space, offers our clients a unique viewing opportunity of sports and entertainment events that is unique to us here in Nashville."
Architecture firm Populous designed the vision, with local general contractor Knestrick on the project. AVL consultant Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc. sought out PixelFLEX for the one-of-a-kind convex LED video wall.
"The Lexus Lounge vision was to have an ultra VIP area where a patron could experience the hockey game or any other event via a panoramic, high definition screen," explained PixelFLEX chief operations officer Monty Rains. "The original specifications called for multiple projector screens. Given the fact that the owner wanted this screen to be the centerpiece of the VIP experience, we suggested using a curved LED screen for impact and lower cost of ownership.
"Creating a 45-foot wide convex-curved LED screen in 2mm pitch was a substantial challenge. To our knowledge, it had not been done before in such a tight pitch in a convex configuration. Not only did we have to craft the frames to the radius of the proposed wall, but also the general contractor had to precisely construct the wall to the specifications of the design. I think the result speaks for itself."
The VIP room is operated by an automated Crestron Media presentation system that is controlled via a touch screen. A Blackmagic 4k camera assists in making it possible to give fans in the lounge a panoramic view of the ice during games. The room also hosts 33 Samsung Commercial LED televisions and numerous QSC speakers and subwoofers, all of which were implemented by Nashville-based Elite Multimedia Installs.
In addition, 30 PixelFLEX FLEXLite 6.9mm LED tiles were installed at Bridgestone Arena's SoBro Nissan Entrance due to downtown Nashville's growth on the south side. As the entrance grows in use and popularity, the digital signage will remain an interactive and exceptional space for arriving fans, adding life to a previously underutilized area.
(Jim Evans)
