6 minute read
Illuminating Citi Field
A Masterpiece of Lighting Design
BY RANDY REID
Transforming Citi Field with Light
Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, has long been recognized as a premier destination for baseball fans. However, beyond its thrilling games and passionate crowds, the stadium has undergone a remarkable transformation— one illuminated by world-class lighting design. Spearheaded by Reveal Design Group, this multiyear project brought new life to Citi Field’s most exclusive spaces, ensuring that lighting enhances the unique identity of each environment.
Under the leadership of Ashton Allin, Senior Designer, the project unfolded over multiple phases. The 2023 season debuted the Cadillac Club, Empire Club, and Fiserv Suites, while the 2024 season introduced the Delta Sky 360 Club and Team Store. The result is a seamless integration of artistry, functionality, and innovation, balancing luxurious ambiance, durability, and sustainability across the stadium. As Allin explained, “We had to work within the tight off-season schedule, ensuring every design element was in place by opening day. That required a lot of coordination and quick pivots.”
A Speakeasy-Inspired Cadillac Club
One of the most striking spaces in Citi Field, the Cadillac Club, was designed to evoke the allure of a hidden speakeasy. Guests enter this exclusive lounge through an intimate entryway before emerging into a rich, warmly lit interior.
The lighting design plays a key role in creating this theatrical transition, featuring QTL tape lighting integrated into the millwork and decorative elements, including a freestanding illuminated bar. Low-level lighting enhances the sense of exclusivity, while careful fixture placement ensures an inviting and immersive atmosphere.
“This space was all about drama and contrast,” said Allin. “We wanted to create an experience where the lighting guides guests into a new world.”
Art Deco Elegance at the Empire Club
Inspired by the grandeur of New York City’s Art Deco era, the Empire Club embodies timeless sophistication. The bar fascia echoes the stepped form of the Empire State Building, illuminated by carefully integrated millwork lighting that highlights its architectural details.
Decorative fixtures, including stemware lighting above the back bar, add a warm glow, while QTL lighting ensures uniform illumination. The commitment to a consistent 2700K color temperature throughout the space ensures harmony between different fixtures and finishes.
Allin noted, “We wanted this space to feel nostalgic yet modern, using lighting to emphasize architectural details without overwhelming the design.”
The Heart of Citi Field
Situated directly behind home plate, the Delta Sky 360 Club is Citi Field’s most prestigious space, offering unparalleled access to the stadium’s prime seating.
The defining feature of this club is the custom-designed fan light, a dynamic, programmable lighting element that introduces movement and excitement to the space. Designed with an A-RGBW pixel fixture from Interlux/Linea Light, the fan light operates in multiple scenes that correspond to different game-time moments, transitioning from pre-game to in-game and post-game settings.
To prevent overwhelming the space, the lighting remains predominantly white, with strategic moments of Mets blue and orange for added vibrancy. “The fan light was a major focal point, bringing movement and energy to the space while still maintaining elegance,” explained Allin.
A Residential Retreat
Designed with a residential aesthetic in mind, the Fiserv Suites offer a more intimate and relaxed setting within Citi Field. These private suites, which overlook home plate, feature a refined lighting approach that prioritizes comfort and warmth.
The design incorporates QTL tape lighting under bar shelving and task lights, complemented by Ecosense cove lighting. The careful selection of a 2700K color temperature ensures a welcoming ambiance, balancing well with the suite’s interior finishes. “The goal here was to make guests feel at home, even in a high-end stadium environment,” Allin remarked.
A Bright Retail Experience
As Citi Field’s primary retail destination, the Team Store underwent a complete transformation, doubling in size and enhancing the shopping experience for fans.
The lighting design focused on brightness, flexibility, and color accuracy, ensuring that Mets merchandise is displayed in its best light. ALW linear fixtures provide consistent illumination, while Solais track heads offer adjustable, high-output lighting for retail displays. Notably, the decision to use a 2700K color temperature was deliberate, as it allows the team’s signature orange and blue to remain vibrant without appearing washed out.
Balancing Aesthetics, Functionality, and Maintenance
One of the key challenges in designing Citi Field’s lighting was maintaining consistency across different spaces while accommodating their unique design languages. Standardizing color temperatures at 2700K across all environments helped unify the lighting experience, even as different finishes altered the perception of warmth. Collaboration with electrical contractors played a crucial role in executing the design seamlessly, with on-site adjustments ensuring a precise installation.
Field’s lighting was maintaining consistency across different spaces while accommodating their unique design languages. Standardizing color temperatures at 2700K across all environments helped unify the lighting experience, even as different finishes altered the perception of warmth. Collaboration with electrical contractors played a crucial role in executing the design seamlessly, with on-site adjustments ensuring a precise installation.
Overcoming Challenges with Precision and Adaptability
Working within the strict timeframe of baseball's offseason presented a unique set of challenges. Construction schedules required quick decision-making, especially when unexpected structural elements, such as hidden beams, were discovered during installation. Last-minute adjustments were necessary to ensure that fixtures fit seamlessly into the architectural framework. The ability to pivot rapidly, combined with the close collaboration between design and procurement teams, allowed the project to meet its deadlines without compromising quality.
A Lighting Design Worthy of Citi Field
From the exclusivity of the Cadillac Club to the spectacle of the Delta Sky 360 Club, every illuminated space at Citi Field tells a story. The thoughtful integration of lighting enhances each environment, creating experiences that extend beyond the game itself. By blending cutting-edge technology with meticulous attention to detail, Reveal Design Group has elevated Citi Field’s atmosphere and set a new benchmark for stadium lighting design.
As Citi Field continues to evolve, its lighting will remain an essential part of its identity—a beacon for fans, players, and visitors alike.
