Operator University of Houston Renovated 1991, 1992, 1998, 2004 Capacity 8,479 | Broke ground 1967 Closed 2017 Opened 1 December 1969 | |
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Location 3875 Holman Street
Houston, Texas 77004 Record attendance 10,660
8,918 (with present capacity) Owner University of Houston System Team Houston Cougars men's basketball Similar University of Houston, Cougar Softball Stadium, Robertson Stadium, Schroeder Park, Southern Methodist University | ||
Hofheinz history see what some of the all time greats had to say of hofheinz pavilion
Hofheinz Pavilion is a 8,479-seat multi-purpose arena on the University of Houston campus in Houston, Texas, currently undergoing renovation. Located at 3875 Holman Street, it is home to the Houston Cougars men's and women's basketball teams as well as the women's volleyball team. The building is named after Roy Hofheinz his late wife, Irene Cafcalas "Dene" Hofheinz after they donated $1.5 million to help fund construction. Roy Hofheinz, known as Judge Hofheinz, was a UH alumnus and a Houston politician, businessman, and philanthropist. The court is named for hall of fame and former Cougars coach Guy V. Lewis. The arena also contains an alcove dedicated to Basketball Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes, a Cougar player in the 1960s and NBA star in the 1970s. The arena opened in 1969. Like many arenas of its kind, the seating bowl of Hofheinz Pavillion is dug into the ground so that one enters the building at the top of the bowl. The arena has been renovated several times and is currently undergoing a major renovation to become the Ferttita Center, scheduled to reopen for the 2018–19 men's and women's basketball seasons.
Contents
- Hofheinz history see what some of the all time greats had to say of hofheinz pavilion
- Hofheinz pavilion erupts after coogs upset 12 smu 71 68
- History
- Concerts
- References
In June 2010, the University of Houston announced a $40 million plan to renovate Hofheinz Pavilion. Ultimately in November 2015, the Board of Regents approved a $60 million complete re-design of the facility to open in 2018, funded in part by a $20 million gift from UH alum Tilman Fertitta. After the Hofheinz family objected to the building be renamed, the school and the family reached a settlement to honor Judge Hofheinz by building a plaza containing a bronze statue of him near the facility, which will be called Fertitta Center. In addition, the UH library will archive Hofheinz's historical records in a special section. Finally, UH will petition the city of Houston to change the name of Holman Street between Cullen Boulevard and Scott Street to honor the Hofheinz family. The renovation began in March 2017 at the conclusion of the 2016–17 basketball seasons, and is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2018–19 men's and women's basketball seasons.
The Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) used the arena as their first home in Houston, from 1971 to 1975. In addition to athletics, the arena has been used for other purposes such as UH graduation ceremonies and area high school commencements. It has also hosted many concerts by famous artists. The Summit took over for much of these purposes in the city after its construction in 1975.
Hofheinz pavilion erupts after coogs upset 12 smu 71 68
History
Prior to 1969, the basketball team of the University of Houston hosted their home games at high school arenas such as Jeppesen Gym and Delmar Field House. Hofheinz Pavilion was meant to replace these venues as a permanent location.
The first athletic event at Hofheinz Pavilion was held on December 1, 1969 when the Houston Cougars men's basketball team defeated Southwestern Louisiana 89–72 before a crowd of 7,000.
When the team relocated from San Diego in 1971, the NBA's Houston Rockets used the venue as their home arena, although selected games were played at the Astrodome. The Rockets played at Hofheinz Pavilion during their first four seasons in Houston until the construction of The Summit was completed in 1975.
On March 5, 1990, Hofheinz Pavilion hosted its largest amount of spectators to date when a 10,660 crowd attended a men's basketball game where Houston beat Texas.
A new ceiling, lighting and sound system were installed in 1991. Through a donation by alumni John and Rebecca Moores in 1992, the basketball locker rooms were enlarged and equipped with personal lockers for each player. Also added was a meeting area and lounge furnished with couches, a color television, a stereo sound system and a pull-down projection screen.
In 1995, the arena was renamed to "Guy V. Lewis Court at Hofheinz Pavilion" in honor of College Basketball Hall of Fame coach Guy V. Lewis.
In 1998, Hofheinz Pavilion again underwent a renovation as part of a capital improvement campaign undertaken by the university to upgrade its athletic facilities. In its original format Hofheinz Pavilion had a seating capacity of 10,000. As part of the renovation, a ring of luxury suites was added to the top of the seating bowl. This addition necessitated the removal of 1,500 seats, reducing capacity to its current level of 8,479. The new Connor Uni-Force Flooring System was installed in October 2004. In June 2010, the University of Houston announced its intention to undergo a $40 million renovation and expansion to Fertitta Center after a four-month feasibility study conducted by AECOM. This would mark the largest single financial investment to the arena yet.
Renovations to the facility began in March 2017 at the conclusion of the 2016–17 basketball season. The $60 million project was funded primarily by a $20 million donation from Tilman Fertitta, a UH alumnus who is also chairman of the UH board of regents. Work is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2018–19 men's and women's basketball seasons, at which time the facility will be renamed Fertitta Center. For the 2017-18 season, both basketball teams will play at Toyota Center in downtown Houston.
Concerts
Hofheinz Pavilion has hosted George Harrison, Elton John, Jethro Tull, The Clash, Procol Harum, Elvis Presley, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Frank Zappa, Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Rolling Stones, The Jackson 5, Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan, The Band, Prince & The New Power Generation, Madonna, Genesis, and Yes.
Prince held several shows at Hofheinz Pavilion on his Musicology Tour in 2004. Popular music concerts are still held at Hofheinz Pavilion, often when a major act decides against playing at the larger (and ticketing-industry controlled) venues in town. Among the recent examples have been concerts by more recent acts like P!nk, Taylor Swift (both in 2009), Chris Brown, Katy Perry (both in 2011), Eric Church (in 2012), Muse and the Zac Brown Band (both in 2013). Houston native David Cook played at Hofheinz Pavilion as part of the 2008 edition of the American Idols Live! Tour. In 2014, A live concert The Grateful Dead played there on November 18, 1972 was released on compact disc and limited edition vinyl.