The past 24 months have been remarkable to watch as the exterior of Target Field rises in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. What started with thousands of piles soon evolved into hundreds of concrete pours, the installation of the exterior stone and glass, and more recently the erection of the roof canopy and stadia. The result is nothing short of amazing as a ballpark emerges on the downtown landscape.

 

However, as we approach the Twins final Metrodome home opener, the happenings INSIDE of Target Field are equally exciting. The ballpark’s interior spaces are now beginning to take shape with more work to come over the next 9-10 months.

 

Twins officials have worked long and hard with HOK Sport and a team of design consultants to ensure the entire ballpark exceeds expectations for fans, corporate partners, the media and the community at large. Many of those efforts have been focused on “attention to detail” within the many interior gathering spaces, clubs and restaurants. I’m excited with the results of that work as the final design and theming of each individual space will help differentiate Target Field as a special ballpark. Examples include:

 

·         Champion’s Club

o   Located on the ballpark’s event level, the Champion’s Club provides the building’s highest-end experience. The space is all about the Twins championship teams, including World Championship clubs in 1987 and 1991 and AL Champs from 1965. This space will house a variety of Twins championship archives  including the 1987 and 1991 World Series Championship trophies.

·         First Base Lounge / Third Base Lounge

o   Located on the ballpark’s event level, the First and Third Base Lounges will be accessed by fans sitting in the Dugout Club seating area. The interior spaces are essentially a tribute to Twins first and third baseman through the years.

·         Twins Pub

o   Located on the main concourse behind home plate, the Twins Pub is certain to be one of the prime destinations within the facility. Open to all fans, the Twins Pub is themed as a celebration of the franchise with décor and graphics focused on past and present Twins marks and players.  

·         Town Ball Tavern

o   My favorite spot in the ballpark, the Town Ball Tavern is open to all fans and will be largely a celebration of Minnesota amateur baseball. Graphics will pay tribute to the great teams, great players and great ballparks in Minnesota’s rich Town Ball history. The space includes a real time scrolling scoreboard which will bring fans the latest in MLB and Town Ball scores.

·         Legend’s Club

o   While the Champion’s Club is all about team, the Legend’s Club is all about the players. Located on the ballpark’s Club Level, the Legend’s Club pays tribute to the greatest players in the history of the franchise. Three niche spaces on this level – honoring Twins Hall of Famers – will undoubtedly be amongst the most talked about spots in the park. The 573 Bar – a tribute to Harmon Killebrew – sits behind home plate and features dramatic two-story interiors and bar designed to emulate one of Killer’s favorite Louisville Sluggers. Meanwhile, the Carew Atrium and Puckett Atrium – sit down the third base and first base lines respectively – and both include two-story wood etched graphics of two of the greatest hitters in MLB history. Following the legend theme, the Herb Carneal Press Box is also located on this level.

·         Metropolitan Club

o   Open to all Twins season ticket holders, the Metropolitan Club is positioned down the right field line and offers some of the most dramatic views in the ballpark. The Metropolitan Club interiors will be highlighted by the stellar photographic images of the “old Met” as well as other Minnesota ballparks such as Nicollet Park, Lexington Park and Siebert Field. Longtime Twins fans will note the colorful Metropolitan Club logo which is designed to emulate the pastel-color brick façade of the old ballpark.

 

Target Field Notes: The Twins front office is preparing to visit New York with hopes of “going to school” on Opening Day games at the new Yankee Stadium and Citi Field … Work is now underway on pedestrian walkway which will connect the A Parking Ramp to Target Field … The Twins will use the exact same online technology – provided by a company known as Balena — the University of Minnesota is using to manage seat relocation for TCF Bank Stadium.

 

Win Twins!!!

 

Dave St. Peter

President, Minnesota Twins