Yankee Stadium, New York
Retrofit Team
General Contractor: Hunter Roberts Construction Group, New York
Bifold Door Installer: AJ Garage Door & Service, Oakdale, N.Y.
Door Cladding Installer: Barrett Inc., Danbury, Conn.
Retrofit Materials
The new Yankee Stadium, which opened at the start of the 2009 season, underwent numerous enhancements during the months leading up to the 2017 season. Among the retrofit improvements are five bifold liftstrap designer doors. The largest of the custom doors measures 27-feet, 5-inches wide and 11-feet, 4-inches tall. Two more doors are 23 feet, 4 inches by 9 feet, 2 inches. The final two doors measure 21 feet, 10 inches by 9 feet, 2 inches. All five doors are fitted with electric photo-eye sensors, black liftstraps, manual latches, and alike-keyed opening and closing switches. Four doors are clad in a high-tech brushed aluminum to blend in with the façade whether the doors are open or closed.
One of the stadium doors performs at the AT&T Sports Lounge at the mezzanine level on the left-field line. The door is clad in wood and tile on the outside; when it’s closed, you can’t tell it’s an operational door. Two additional concession/bar areas, with two doors each situated at right angles, are located in right-center field and left-center field on the Triple Zero level.
After scouting other door companies, Paul Wassenbergh, senior project manager and director of interiors preconstruction for Hunter Roberts Construction Group, decided the simplicity of design, along with the liftstraps, were reasons to specify these particular bifold doors. Bifold doors also were appropriate because the stadium didn’t have room for other components, such as a hydraulic pump or counter weights.
“The bifold doors are heavy-duty, very solid and functional,” Wassenbergh says. “They will be a long-lasting solid piece of equipment that I don’t ever see failing. I like how easy they are to use.”
Bifold Door Manufacturer: Schweiss Doors
Photo: Schweiss Doors