Welcome to Scottrade Center, home of the St. Louis Blues. The building is also home to Saint Louis University Billiken basketball and plays host to a wide variety of other sporting events, ice shows, concerts and family shows. An average of 175 events each year brings 2,000,000 people through Scottrade Center's turnstiles.
Recognized in the industry as one of the finest arena facilities in the country, the 665,000 square foot Scottrade Center features five levels equivalent to 12 stories tall, and seats over 21,000 for hockey and over 22,000 for basketball. High-tech systems and well designed ''back-of-the-house'' areas allow a wide variety of seating configurations and offer the ability to play host to multiple events in the same day.
An eight-sided center-hung scoreboard with four video screens and four matrix boards, unobstructed sight-lines from every seat, premium seating including 91 suites, 1,684 club seats and seven party rooms, a wide variety of concession stands and food courts, three exciting dining alternatives, including the Savvis Club, 14th and Clark and Top Shelf, spacious concourses, plentiful restrooms, a flagship retail store, televisions throughout the building to keep up with game action while you are away from your seat, abundant parking in the surrounding area and immediate access to the adjacent MetroLink station across the street are just some of the things that add to the experience of attending events at Scottrade Center.
Information and Tour Provided by the Scottrade Center,
whom we thank very much.
The ultra-modern Scottrade Center (formerly called the Kiel Center) rests on the former site of Kiel Auditorium, built in 1932 as a municipal auditorium for the citizens of St. Louis. Designed by St. Louis architects Louis LaBeaume and Eugene S. Klein, Kiel Auditorium encompassed the adjacent Kiel Opera House and served St. Louis for six decades as a center for conventions, public meetings, expositions, sports events and musical performances.
According to a 1934 mayoral proclamation, Kiel Auditorium was "designed to enrich the peoples' lives and increase their enjoyment and ... add to the attractiveness and popularity of our City as it will bring to us great conventions and cultural activities." Originally known as the Municipal Auditorium, Kiel Auditorium was officially named in honor of former St. Louis mayor Henry W. Kiel on March 26, 1943. Kiel, a strong supporter of the arts, had encouraged the idea of a municipal auditorium and helped that concept become a reality.
In 1992, St. Louis city officials recognized the size inadequacy of the 9,000-seat Auditorium as well as the need for a new, state-of-the-art arena. Kiel Auditorium was torn down in December 1992 to make way for the multi-purpose Scottrade Center, while Kiel Opera House remained for renovation as a smaller venue for more intimate events. Like the old Kiel Auditorium, Scottrade Center adjoins the Opera House to offer a unique complex capable of hosting diverse events simultaneously.
Developers looking to replace the aging St. Louis Arena with a new one downtown brought about the $135 million Scottrade Center in October 1994. Scottrade Center is a hockey facility first and foremost, and accommodates other purposes second. It displays a $3.5 million video scoreboard with animation and replays.
The plants and fancy neon signs might seem too flashy for Missouri, but planners are hoping that cheers for the Blues and some holdover features from the old arena (the trademark Budweiser song and the foghorn blast with each goal scored, for example) will make Scottrade Center pure St. Louis.
Getting there
From the west, take I-44 east and exit at Jefferson Avenue. From the east, I-64 west to the Ninth Street Exit.
Note: There have been a few double-takes by visiting players at St. Louis' Kiel Centre this year. "Is that him? It can't be. Yup, it's him.'' Former heavyweight champ Leon Spinks, a St. Louis resident, has a job cleaning the glass around the rink.
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BUILDING OVERVIEW :
Located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, Scottrade Center is
one of the finest sports and entertainment complexes in the country,
with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and an unprecedented
commitment to quality and service. Scottrade Center officially opened
on Saturday, October 8, 1994.
Scottrade Center is a contemporary, 12-story glass and concrete structure
located in the heart of downtown St. Louis.
Scottrade Center is the home of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club,
the Saint Louis University Billikens basketball team. Scottrade Center
also features a full range of arena programming, including concerts,
ice shows, family shows and other sporting events. Scottrade Center
hosts approximately 175 events per year, bringing nearly 2 million
guests to downtown St. Louis annually.
SIZE:
The 664,000 square foot Scottrade Center seats
21,000 for hockey and nearly 22,000 for
basketball, concerts and other floor-seating
events.
PARKING:
Parking is plentiful in the area surrounding
Scottrade Center. There are more than 6,000 parking
spaces within 1,800 feet (or approximately four
blocks) of Scottrade Center.
A 1,270-car parking garage directly adjoins Scottrade Center. Owned
and operated by the City of St. Louis, it provides convenient, weather-protected
access to the building.
ACCESS:
Scottrade Center enjoys easy access to all four of the region's
interstate highways. Multiple alternative routes to Scottrade Center
make entering and exiting the facility easy.
Scottrade Center is well served by mass transit, including
the Bi-State bus system and MetroLink, St. Louis' light rail system.
A MetroLink station is located immediately adjacent to Scottrade Center
at the corner of 14th Street and Clark Avenue.
The main entrance to Scottrade Center is at the corner
of 14th Street and Clark Avenue, with two auxiliary entrances located
on Clark Avenue adjacent to the attached garage and on 14th
Street.
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CONCESSIONS AND
DINING:
Scottrade Center features nearly 40 concession stands and portable
carts throughout the plaza and mezzanine levels. In addition to
traditional fare such as hot dogs, nachos, peanuts and pretzels,
concession stands offer specialty foods such as toasted ravioli,
Pizza Hut pizza, chicken wings, hamburgers, barbecue sandwiches,
chicken fingers, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, assorted candies and ice
creme and much more.
The Top Shelf, located on the mezzanine concourse
of Scottrade Center between sections 326 and 331, is a combination
food court and sports bar that opens into the seating area. A wide
variety of microbrews and food, including Nathan's hot dogs of New
York, allows fans to enjoy the atmosphere of a bar without missing
all the live action.
Scottrade Center also features the Savvis Club, a private
500-seat sports themed restaurant for suiteholders and club seat
holders. The Savvis Club offers an elaborate chef's table buffet
as well as a wide range of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees
and desserts.
14th and Clark, a two-level bar and restaurant
located off the Atrium at the corner of Clark Avenue and 14th
Street is open to all ticketholders. With seating for 150 and total
capacity of nearly 300, this dramatic two-story bar and restuarant
offers a full range of refreshments including a wide variety of
beers and microbrews, as well as carved sandwiches, soups, salads
and appetizers.
RESTROOMS:
Scottrade Center features an equal number of men's
and women's rooms, including family restrooms
located on the Plaza and Mezzanine concourses.
SCOREBOARD:
An eight-sided, state-of-the-art center-hung
scoreboard features four 9’ x 12’ video
screens for pre-game interviews, game telecasts,
instant replay, intermission highlights and
special segments and features, as well as four
electronic message boards for complete
statistical information.
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INTERIOR:
The interior of Scottrade Center features bright and spacious concourses
highlighted by fully finished floors and walls, high ceilings, and
generous use of glass.
Scottrade Center features fully upholstered, theatre-style
seats with attached drink holders. Seats range from 19’ to
21" wide.
MERCHANDISING:
Scottrade Center offers outstanding merchandising and retail opportunities,
with a flagship BlueNote Authentics Shop in the main lobby and additional
merchandising stands located throughout the building.
PREMIUM SEATING:
Premium seating at Scottrade Center includes 91
suites, seven party rooms and 1,726 club seats.
OWNERSHIP:
Bill and Nancy Laurie of Columbia, Missouri created Paige Sports
Entertainment and purchased Scottrade Center and the St. Louis Blues
in September 1999.
COST:
Development and construction cost for Scottrade Center was $135
million. The City of St. Louis funded an additional $34.5 for demolition
of the existing auditorium and garage, site preparation and construction
of the adjacent parking facility which is owned and operated by
the city.
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LAURIES BUY KIEL CENTER, ST. LOUIS BLUES
September 9, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVentures
Bill and Nancy Laurie decided not to spend more than $400 million to buy the Pepsi Center in Denver along with the Avalanche and Nuggets and instead spent $100 million to buy the NHL Blues and the Kiel Center in St. Louis. Clark Enterprises will sell the team if the deal is approved by the NHL. Nancy Laurie is heir to the Wal-Mart fortune.
More than $90 million of the purchase price will go to pay debt on the Kiel Center, but will not compensate Clark Enterprises for the money put into helping the team stay alive. The group is made up of companies such as Anheuser-Busch and Emerson Electric and the companies will write off more than $100 million they invested. The Lauries have signed an agreement to keep the Blues in St. Louis and say they might consider adding an NBA team.
The Kiel Center cost $135 million when it opened in 1994. The city donated land for the project. The facility has 86 luxury suites that are 100% leased at prices ranging from $37,500 to $160,000 a year. The suites are leased on terms of five to 10 years.
There are also 1,640 club seats in the venue that sell for $3,300 a year and six penthouse party boxes that lease for $160,000. Five party suites lease for $1,950 a game for 30 persons.
The Lauries had made a bid to buy the Denver properties from Ascent Entertainment, but Ascent's stockholders protested the sale procedure and new bids were taken. Donald Sturm bid $461 million and the Lauries decided against besting the offer.
Observers say the deal is a great one for the Lauries, especially since they are getting a team and a building for little more than the $80 million now being charged to new NHL franchise buyers.
THE ULTIMATE SPORTS ROAD TRIP
By: Andrew Kulyk & Peter Farrell
| Scottrade Center Ranking by USRT |
| Architecture |  | 6 |
| Concessions | | 8 |
| Scoreboard | | 5 |
| Ushers | | 6 |
| Fan Support | | 8 |
| Location | | 8 |
| Banners/History | | 9 |
| Entertainment | | 5 |
| Concourses/Fan Comfort | | 7 |
| Bonus: USRT Red Carpet Treatment | | 4 |
| Bonus: Top Shelf | | 2 |
| Total Score |  | 68 |
April 7, 2002 - Opened in 1994, and originally named the Kiel Center, this splendid arena sits on the edge of the downtown core of St. Louis, and is the home of the NHL St. Louis Blues as well as the University of St. Louis basketball team and annually hosts the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. Despite the fact that many NHL venues have opened since, the Savvis Center certainly doesn't show any signs of age or obsolescence. If anything, this venue stands out as one of the best arenas on all of hockey.
Getting to the Venue
Being downtown, easy access to the Savvis Center via I-70 or I-55 ... just follow the exit signs. If you want to take the Metrolink, the Kiel Center exit is steps away from the front door and you can get an all day pass for $4. Parking is abundant in lots within walking distance... prices start at $12 but drop quickly from there.
Outside the Venue
Being downtown, there are plenty of attractions within short walking distance or via the Metrolink. A couple of places nearby worth noting - Union Station is a fabulous and historic rail station just west of the arena. It has been beautifully restored, and besides many historical markers and exhibits, enjoys new life as a retail/restaurant complex. Also within walking distance are two cool sports bars - "The Arena Club" is little more than a converted warehouse, but inside one can find the actual scoreboard brought over from the old St. Louis Arena. "Jacques" (as in Plante, perhaps?) is a bit more upscale, and is also located steps from the rail station.
Concourses
There are three entrances, but the main one is most dramatic - a soaring atrium lobby at Clark and 14th, where ticket windows, a large team store called " Blue Notes Authentics" and a two level sports bar can be found. All glass and a full view of the downtown skyline beckons! Once inside you traverse through a wide concourse, with terrazzo tile and nice accent lights. All signage. backlit boards, and concession canopies are done in blue and gold team colors. Great attention was given to detail in making these hallways clean, bright and festive.
In the building are two pair of escalators to take you to the 300 level. An additional two escalators in other parts of the main level are for club level access.
Along the walls are murals depicting "Blues Heroes", backlit panels honoring many players who wore Blues blue and gold throughout their history. A "Hall of Fame" for the Missouri Valley Conference can also be found on the 100 level, honoring, among others, the great Walt Frazier, former Knick point guard.
A new addition to the Savvis Center is "Top Shelf", a cool sports bar and game area located in one end zone of the 300 level. The Blues removed some of their cheapest seats, opening a view to the playing surface in one end zone. Here one can enjoy concession stands, a bar, table games, plasma HDTV monitors and a seating rail to enjoy the action in a cool setting... nicely done!
The Seating Bowl
With over 19,000 seats this is a pretty big arena yet seemed to have an intimate charm. All seats are colored Blues blue, and railings and other accents in Blues gold. Two seating levels and a suite level in between, and an eight sided jumbotron scoreboard. Ad panels are backlit and stationary, and out of town scoreboards can be found in each corner. At the top of the building is a "penthouse level" with additional suites and several party suites sponsored by various Blues foundations.
Premium Seating
Club seating here can be found in the upper part of the lower seating bowl along the sidelines. These seats do not have their own concourse, but a back aisle takes you into the Savvis Club, an upscale restaurant and bar area located in the east end of the building, and table service with views of the playing surface. There you can enjoy an extensive buffet or a la carte dishes. Club or suite tickets required, of course!
Concessions
We searched high and low for toasted ravioli, a St. Louis specialty, and they do offer them but we could not track them down. But, we did come across NATHAN'S, a New York City specialty offering those great hot dogs and cheese fries. One of our favorites to be sure!
Banners and Retired Numbers
The Blues eight division and conference titles are augmented with four retired numbers - those of Bob Gassoff, Barclay Plager, Brian Sutter and Bernie Federko. Another banner honors the late Doug Wickenheiser, who passed away in 1999 after a long battle with cancer. Lastly, a banner honoring the great broadcaster Dan Kelly is tattooed with an Irish shamrock. At the other end are various banners honoring the accomplishments of the St. Louis basketball program. P.S. -- exactly what is a Billiken anyway?
Hat Tricks, Assists, Penalties
Hat Trick - To the St. Louis Blues organization, and in particular Jo Ann Miles, Vice President, for giving us a terrific scoreboard tribute in honor of our milestone NHL arena. Thank you Jo Ann - you are hereby inducted into the Ultimate Sports Road Trip Hall of Fame!
Assist - The Blues signature song is "When the Saints Come Marching In", played after each Blues goal.
Hat Trick - to that terrific fan at the very top of Sec. 314, who brings his horn and lets out three simple toots, which gets the crowd chanting "Let's Go Blues!". Overall these fans are very enthusiastic and passionate about their team.
Penalty - to the many Blues fans we met who have not embraced the Savvis Center and long for the old days at St. Louis Arena. Yes there were many great memories at the old place, but it is time to build new memories at your new home. Hey Blues fan - you have a great venue here! Celebrate and cherish what you have!
Hat Trick - for doing such a magnificent job with interior decor. Only the Rose Garden in Portland can rival this venue in terms of the extensive use of team colors.
Penalty - the USRT 2002 jinx continues, as the Avs take control of the game in the second period and hang on to win, 4-2. Will we have better success in Memphis?
Summary
We did not know what to expect - a building built very early in the recent boom, and so much in terms of new technologies have come online since to enhance the arena experience. But quite frankly, the Savvis Center blew us away - first, the team obviously listened to their fans and made substantial improvements into the decor and amenities after the building opened. Second, the features in this building are mostly geared to the average fan - no 3 levels of suites and exclusive clubs only for the high rollers. Most of the restaurants, seats, and bells and whistles are for the "true" fan. Next - the teams rich and colorful history is amply showcased everywhere with exhibits, banners and tributes, and very nicely done. Lastly, Blues fans are great fans - they know their hockey, they support their team, and add to this city's reputation as being "America's Best Sports City" as named by the Sporting News in 2000.
We Gotta Do It --- we have very little to criticize about this place, but so much to love. And we are proud to add the Savvis Center to our esteemed roster of 5 star venues and name it one of the best arenas in all of the NHL.
