Toyota Center, Sports arena in Downtown Houston, United States.
The Toyota Center is a sports and event hall in the heart of Houston with over 18,000 seats. The architecture combines steel and glass construction, and the spectator tiers extend across three levels around the central playing floor.
Rockets owner Leslie Alexander began seeking a new arena in 1995, but a 1999 referendum rejected the proposal. After a revised deal in 2001, construction started that July on the site of a former Houston Lighting and Power building. The arena opened in October 2003, costing $235 million, with Toyota paying $100 million for naming rights.
This hall serves as home court for the city's NBA team and welcomes major concerts and wrestling events. Visitors experience the sports culture of Texas, where basketball and live entertainment are closely connected.
The hall sits in the business district of the city and is easy to reach on foot or by public transport. Visitors should arrive earlier on game days, as the entrances become crowded and security checks take time.
The arena was built on land the city bought near the George R. Brown Convention Center; a building owned by Houston Lighting and Power Company was demolished and two streets closed during construction. Toyota paid US$100 million for the naming rights, and the building opened in October 2003 after 26 months of work.
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