Nestled between the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains and surrounded by Joshua Tree National Park, Coachella Valley is a region with a rich history in musical entertainment. Acrisure Arena, with a concert capacity of 11,000, marries an intimate and personalized venue with the infrastructure and technology to serve as an ideal jumping-off destination for artists beginning major tours along the West Coast.
Populous approached the design of Acrisure Arena by first becoming immersed in the local history, landscape, architecture, materials and culture of Palm Springs. As a result, Acrisure Arena is authentic to its site and leading the industry into the future of entertainment experience.
It is the first indoor/outdoor arena with unique premium amenities that harness the warm, year-round desert climate, giving guests access to outdoor concessions and club balconies with a breathtaking array of views, all while remaining inside the arena’s gates.
An arena designed for some of the most popular artists in the world requires detailed, bespoke interior spaces. Populous led the interior design of the arena, from concourses to artist areas, premium clubs and suites. Taking cues from regional elements such as woven-inspired materials and the California Palm, the interior design of Acrisure Arena is intentional about its reflection of place.
The two Founders’ Suites and 20 premium suites employ a unified, intimate and locally inspired style that flows easily from one space to another. With the flexible nature of Acrisure Arena and the events it hosts, the design team employed a neutral backdrop that would function for a hockey game, a concert, a children’s show and more. The design’s neutral quality allows for the showcasing of local influences and artwork, warm neutral color tones, textures authentic to the landscape, stone such as marble and quartzite, and notable iconic Palm Springs photography. The design team worked with the Palm Springs Historical Society and Palm Springs Life Magazine to capture some of the original cover artwork of the magazine and showcase on suite level, highlighting a piece key to Coachella Valley culture since the 1920s.
In addition, on event level, bespoke spaces were designed as star suites, providing a high-design and comfortable area for performers and their crews. They draw in the local influences, textures and colors from the aesthetic of the rest of the arena, while also creating a relaxing and functional environment to serve as a temporary home away from home for artists. The star suites are enhanced by an outdoor star compound, complete with an outdoor bar, six-hole mini golf course, bocce ball and a pickleball court. The outdoor space is available to the public to rent on non-event days.
