 Toyota
Center
Houston, TX
Throughout their
history, the Houston Rockets have been one of the best NBA franchises
compiling 25 winning seasons since moving to Houston from San Diego in
1971. This continues today as the Rockets have one of the best players
in the NBA, Yao Ming, and play at one of the best NBA arenas, the Toyota Center.
For more than 25 years the Rockets played at the Compaq Center,
a 16,000 seat facility that was southwest of Houston. During the mid 1990s the
Rockets, Houston Astros (MLB) and Houston Oilers (NFL) wanted new state
of the art facilities built. The Astros were able to get Minute Maid
Park built in downtown Houston, while the Oilers moved to Nashville
after failing to get a new football stadium built (Reliant Stadium was
later built). The Rockets
wanted to replace the Compaq Center because it lacked luxury suites and
other modern amenities that other arenas in the NBA had. They were able to
get a new modern arena built by using existing hotel and car rental taxes
and by paying $105 million through future rent in order to get it built.
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Construction
of the Toyota Center,
located in the eastern corridor of downtown Houston began in July 2001. The Rockets
played their first game at the arena on October 30, 2003 against the Denver
Nuggets. Most fans that go to games at the Toyota Center
enter through the main entrance on the northwest side of the building. Here
is a massive atrium that once inside, fans receive views of the skyline of Houston. Unlike many other NBA
arenas, fans with tickets to seats on the lower level do not have to go up
in order to their seats because the court is 32 feet below street level.
Because of this, the Toyota Center
has the largest lower level in the NBA. The building has a seating capacity
of over 18,000 that includes 2,900 club seats and 103 luxury boxes. Fans
attending games can visit the Lexus Lounge or the Red and White Wine Bistro
restaurant. Many fans hope that the Rockets can win several NBA
Championships at the Toyota
Center like they did while playing at the Compaq Center
in the 1990s.
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PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO
HOUSTON AND
THE TOYOTA CENTER |
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TOYOTA CENTER POSTERS |
Toyota Center -
Houston Rockets Signature Court Poster |
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matt
angle |
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