Hipodromo de Las Americas Redevelopment

In partnership with a Mexico City firm, Gralla Architects is completing the total re-planning and design of the famed Hipodromo de Las Americas race track in Mexico City. This is the first major track in the world to undergo transformation into a multi-use sport and family entertainment complex.

The first phase of the project was to complete all improvements necessary to regain the Hipodromo's active status on the international horse racing circuit and reputation as one of the most beautiful tracks in the world. This large project includes the following new or renovated components:

• Central Grandstand: The Central Grandstand has been fully renovated to enhance guest services and to maximize wagering and retail purchase opportunities.
• Racing Barns & Equine Services: The former backstretch was demolished to make way for new equine facilities and hotel & convention center. 1200 horses now live in 2-storey barns ascending the backstrech hillside, the first of their kind in North America. The new equine facilities exceed international racing standards for stabling conditions, safety and security.
• Saddling Paddock: with multi-level balconies at the rear of the grandstand overlooking the saddling area allowing spectators to view pre-race activities.
• Sports Book &Racing Museum: Equipped with jumbo video screens of local and simulcast racing and sporting events.
• Convention Center: 40,000 square meters of multi-use space, restaurants, catering, retail, multi-level parking garage and a direct connection to the hotel.
• 400-Room, 5-Star International Hotel: A full-service business hotel complimenting the convention center. Tunnel access is planned to provide access to the Central Grandstand.
• Cultural Center: Including a large arena seating 5000 for equestrian events, rodeos, tradeshows, restaurant, amphitheatre, and multi-use facilities.
• Family Entertainment Complex: Including theaters, game areas, cafes, and retail.

Mississippi State University AgriCenter & Harness Training Track

This university teaching facility includes a climate controlled indoor arena with a 150'x275' floor, cattle pens, chutes and return lanes; spectator services; offices; classrooms; and research labs. The arena was designed to serve multiple uses and can host such events as concerts, trade shows, arenacross, indoor polo and others.

Also included at the facility are three livestock barns with stalls, pens, wash areas, and a 3/4 mile training track. Robert Outlaw, a trotting horse owner and trainer from Starkville, said the track enables him to "evaluate each horse in the safest setting available."

Lazy E Race Training Center

This 640-acre race training center near Guthrie, Oklahoma was master planned and designed to utilize the latest technology in the equestrian industry and to minimize operational man-hours and long-term maintenance. The facility includes:

• Ten 40-stall training barns with living quarters, office, 12'x12' stalls and roll up side wall doors to maximize ventilation.
• 60' diameter, six-horse walkers with perimeter fence.
• 5/8 mile track with Equitrack surface, 1/2 mile and 1/4 mile chutes, and 6-horse Puett true center starting gate.
• Fitness/Rehabilitation Facility with a submerged treadmill with therapy jets, holding stalls and overhead hydraulic walker (includes space and mechanical for additional treadmills).
• 30' diameter enclosed breaking rings.
• Outside walk rings and round pens.
• Track Commissary and offices.
• Owner/trainer clubhouse at the finish-line.
• Condominium and residential sites.
• 4800' airstrip to accommodate corporate aviation.

The canopy is even more striking at night when it provides indirect illumination.

Open-Air Rodeo & Multi-Use Arena
Illinois State Fairgrounds

Gralla Architects, in association with an Illinois firm, was selected to provide programming, planning, and design services for this large open-air rodeo and multi-use events complex.

The facility was designed specifically to serve as the new home of the National Finals High School Rodeo, however, innovations in the layout and design make it ideal for any fair-weather event. With a total usable arena floor space of 1/4 mile by 300', this is one of the largest event arenas in the world. The covered grandstand includes fixed seating for 5,000 spectators, with a subterranean service concourse. Grass berms bring the full spectator capacity to 10,000.

The grandstand canopy is a tension structure covered with semi-transparent Teflon coated membrane, allowing natural light infiltration during the day. It is even more striking at night when it provides indirect illumination during evening performances.

This project won the 2001 Thomas H. Madigan Award for Outstanding New Construction, presented by the Illinois Capital Development Board.

Singapore Turf Club Expansion

Gralla Architects is part of an international design team completing this expansion which is planned to include a new spelling (rest and rehabilitation) station for approximately 200 horses, 600 new racing stables in 2-storey barns, 5 isolated zones of international racing stables, a 1,000 meter uphill training track, and a jockey's school and equitation center.

The STC will be one of very few major racing facilities in the world to offer an on-site spelling station. Each horse at the station will have a private stable and small outdoor paddock, with access to larger paddocks on a rotation basis. The station will include state-of-the-art training and rehabilitation facilities complete with submerged treadmills, an uphill training track, and landscaped walking trails which meander throughout the spelling station.

New design concepts are being explored to overcome noise and light pollution typical at a live racing facility, as well as to improve the efficiency of training operations. In addition, the expanded facilities will utilize the most advanced equestrian equipment and materials, setting new international standards for animal safety and living conditions while reducing facility maintenance expenditures. Following the expansion, the STC will be capable of housing more than 2,000 horses on-site in some of the world's finest and most extensive equine facilities.

Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Renovations

Renovations to the equine/livestock barns included new stalls, replacement of electrical systems, plumbing, and water lines, the addition of a fire sprinkler system, upgrades to meet ADA requirements, and a general overall rehabilitation

A new Arena/Sales Facility in barn 6 serves as a multi-purpose indoor arena facility. The arena was planned and designed to work in conjunction with the existing main performance arena, or seperately to host two unrelated events.

Download images of other commercial equestrian projects here:

• Cleveland County Multi-Purpose Events Center

• Salt Lake County Equestrian Center

• Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie Race Track, Dallas

• Remington Park Race Track, Oklahoma City

Equestrian Planning and Design Brochure

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