New rendering of Rupp Arena redesign unveiled

University of Kentucky's storied Rupp Arena will receive a $310 million facelift. (Photo courtesy by RuppDistrict.com)

A new rendering of the soon-to-be-redesigned Rupp Arena, home of Kentucky basketball, was released Monday and includes a transparent facade and as many as 28 luxury boxes,reports the Courier-Journal.

The new arena, expected to be complete by the 2017-2018 season, will cost an estimated $310 million and be paid for by way of “several partners, including a long-term lease" with the University of Kentucky, according to a news release.

NBBJ, a design firm out of Seattle, provided the rendering and the architect in charge also redid Pauley Pavilion at UCLA.

Once completed, the new Rupp will have outdoor video screens, chairback seats in the arena, a new scoreboard and a catwalk from campus to the arena.

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Rupp Arena opened in 1976 and currently seats 23,000 spectators for basketball.

More from the Courier-Journal:

That lease has yet to be signed, but DeWayne Peevy, a deputy athletic director serving as UK’s representation at an announcement Monday, said the school is closer to reaching a deal than last summer. Peevy told The Courier-Journal that Rupp Arena renovations would be done in phases so as to not conflict with basketball season.