The New England Patriots have a renovated football stadium, complete with new lighthouse, thanks to architect Eric Williams (’08 Arch. Studies and Const. Mgmt., MS ’09 Arch.).
Williams, an associate principal with the Populous Architecture Firm in Boston, led the $250 million renovation of Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL team. The renovation, which was completed in 2023, includes a new four-and-a-half acre plaza at the entrance to the stadium and to the welcoming 22-story lighthouse. Its 360-degree observation deck, the Lookout, offers year-round, panoramic views of the stadium and surrounding areas, including Boston and Providence skylines.
Eric Williams (Courtesy Populous)
The renovation also includes the country’s largest curved radius videoboard, measuring 60 feet by 375 feet. Permanent bars and concession locations with checkout-free Zippin technology, an expanded Row of Honor viewing area for veterans, and a glass-enclosed field-level club space with view of the team tunnel were also added to the stadium.
Before the Patriots stadium work, Williams received his Master of Architecture II at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He was one of 12 students engaged in multi-year research of the Elements of Architecture exhibitition for the Venice 2014 Architecture Biennale, and he later worked on editing the research material for inclusion in architect Rem Koolhaas’s book The Elements of Architecture.