Kansas City area firm helped revamp New Orleans’ Superdome in time for Super Bowl
They call it the “Instagram moment:” a dazzling display of design and materials that greets Superdome visitors once they pass the gates into New Orleans’ landmark stadium.
A majestic system of escalators rises hundreds of feet in the air, from the ground floor to the top deck, enveloped in lush aluminum tubular panels that line the surrounding walls.
The engineering expertise that made it all possible was provided by Henderson Engineers, headquartered in the KC area and the engineer of record for the Superdome’s recent $560 million renovation.
“It’s this very intricate design with really cool views,” said Jordan Bartholomew with Henderson Engineers. “We feel it really modernizes the experience inside.”
The Superdome’s renovation started in 2020 with an eye to being completed for this week’s Super Bowl. The project hit its deadlines, debuting to the public for the New Orleans Saints’ first home game this season.
Henderson Engineers started preparing in 2019, working underneath Broadmoor LLC (the construction company for the project) and Trahan Architects (the designer). The firm handled plumbing design, fire protection, mechanical and electrical upgrades to support the Superdome’s redesign. The firm had 90 different people working on the project over the past five years, Bartholomew said.
“The overarching goal was to enhance fan experience,” Bartholomew said. “So, expanded concourses, new views, new restrooms, new seating platforms, new standing-room-only decks, new concessions.”
Those include two new bars — one on each side of the lower-level concourse — that span 40 yards, from 30-yard line to 30-yard line.
“You can stand at the bars and see the field with no obstructions,” Bartholomew said.
Henderson Engineers has an office in the Crossroads, but it’s based in Lenexa, where it was founded in 1970. It has since expanded across the U.S., with 14 offices in the country.
That includes a Philadelphia office.
“Obviously, HQ will be rooting for the Chiefs on Sunday,” Bartholomew said.
But he won’t be anywhere near HQ.
“Yeah, a few of us are lucky enough to be invited down there,” Bartholomew said. “I’m super excited to see the hometown team play in the building we helped renovate and revitalize. I’m hoping for a win. But I’m not making a prediction. I’m not going on the record with anything.”
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM.
