Souvenir Stadium Buildings: Part One

Most people go to a stadium to support a team, see a concert or attend an event. We can cheer for the players, do the wave and feel part of the action. As building collectors, we want to also own a piece of the action. Recently, you even had a chance to own a full-sized stadium. The hard-hit city of Pontiac, Michigan is auctioned off the Silverdome, a stadium of more than 80,000 seats that once played host to Super Bowl XVI in 1982 and the former home of the National Football League's Detroit Lions, went on the auction block. A Canadian real estate company won with a bid of $583,000. Sitting on 127 acres, the Silverdome was the biggest stadium in the NFL when it was built for $55.7 million in 1975. Building Collector reader Howie send me a link to some additional stadiums which have fallen on hard times. A souvenir pewter replica of the Pontiac Silverdome was created in a limited edition of 1000. Miniature stadium replicas are popular and come in a wide variety of ages and styles. Bob E., who has a subset of stadiums within his building collection, sent me stats and details of many more stadium replicas. There are so many miniature stadium replicas, however, I’m breaking this up into a few posts, the first of which is below. Enjoy.Chinese National Stadium, (also known as the “Birds Nest”) Large version from 2008
Scale 1:2500
16.5” x 9.5” x 3” tall
Made of a Zinc Alloy, name plate made of steel left over from the construction
Black lacquered wooden base
Stadium dome lifts off to show interior Chinese National Stadium, (Birds Nest) Small version made 2008
Scale 1:36
8" x 2.75" x 1.5" tall
Gold Plated
Black lacquered wooden base
Stadium dome lifts off to show interior
Also, check out this Birds Nest Replicas Video which includes lots of souvenirs and a teapot replica, puzzle, clocks, lighters, plastic & metal replicas, art, stamps, key chains and more. Chinese National Aquatics Center, (better know as the “Water Cube”) Small version made 2008
Scale 1:2185
5.75” square by 1.5” tall
Pewter or Steel with a bright sliver finish
Metallic silver painted wood base
Arena skin lifts off to show pools inside
Made by Model CraftStaples Center, LA, 1999
4.5” in diameter (6” long with Press Center) 1.75” tall
Made by DRB Creations a commission from the Staples Corp. who rejected the order.
Solid pewter with gold plating, very heavy, cast in two pieces
Only twenty were produced Raymond James Stadium, Tampa 2001
Part of the series “Stadiums of the Super Bowl”
Super Bowl XXXV, limited to 311 castings
5.5” x 4.5” x 1” tall
Pewter with inset enameled logo’s on top and bottom
Maker mark: “RDZ"
Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami 1995
NFL presentation piece from Supper Bowl XXIX
Pewter with inset enameled logos top and bottom, Bottom engraved “In Appreciation”
5.5” x 4.75” x 1” tall
No makers mark Super Dome, New Orleans, 1997
NFL presentation piece from Supper Bowl XXIX
Pewter with inset logos on bottom, Bottom engraved “In Appreciation”
5.75” square x 2.75” tall
Dome is anodized gold
No makers mark

Wembley Stadium, London, 2007
Created for the opening of the new stadium
Stainless Steel with stain highlights
8.25” x 7.5” x 3.75” tall at the decorative arch
Made by First Team Sports LimitedSafeco Field, Seattle, 1999
Created for the opening of the new stadium
Pewter on a black enameled wood base
6” x 5” x 2.5” tall
No makers markHarris County Domed Stadium (Astrodome), 1960’s
A give away from the First State Bank of Bellaire
Pot metal
5” in diameter x 2” tall
coin bank made by Banthrico