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The Palace Of Auburn Hills To Showcase New East Terrace And Arena Bowl Seating

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Palace Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) announced today it has completed construction on an all new East Terrace at The Palace as well as completion of the first stage of a three-year seating renovation that will replace all seating inside the arena bowl.   The new areas will debut during the Pistons’ first preseason game versus Indiana on October 6.  The newly renovated East Terrace greets fans with an entrance foyer featuring improved lighting, contemporary finishes and meeting spaces along with three new signature dining destinations.   As part of the on-going seating project, patrons seated from lower-level suites to the floor will experience renewed comfort and style with newly installed black leather seating and ergonomically placed cup holders.

 

“We are excited for the debut of new improvements to the East Terrace knowing it will enhance fan experience and provide another popular destination point for entry and egress,” said Dennis Mannion, CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment. “Continued renovations at The Palace demonstrate Tom Gores’ passion and desire to provide our fans first-class amenities along with one of the most innovative and technologically advanced facilities in the country.”

 

EAST TERRACE

 

For the first time in The Palace’s history, the East Entrance and East Terrace have been remodeled. The renovation adds 1,000 square feet of new dining space, utilizes state-of-the-art lighting technology and showcases restaurant-inspired culinary flare. Point-of-sale terminals have doubled ensuring that speed of service remains consistent with anticipated growth. The new East Terrace concourse maximizes available gathering space and is surrounded by communal areas for dining and conversation.

 

In partnership with Levy Restaurants, authentic, locally-inspired street food fare and signature beverages will be available to fans at three dining destinations on the upstairs concourse.

 

THE FOOD

 

The new East Terrace boasts three new eatery-style concepts, while traditional concession stands in the area will begin serving a Metro Detroit staple.

 

MAPLEWOOD BARBECUE: This communal, rustic dining area is a perfect gathering place to dine with clients, friends, family or fellow fans.

  • The main anchor of the new East Terrace, Maplewood Barbecue serves up house-smoked favorites using The Palace’s proprietary blend of wood, spices and sauces.
  • Guests will be able to customize their prime rib, pork belly or chicken sliders with three distinct sauces (bourbon, Carolina, sweet & spicy), hand-crafted by Street Eats in Hamtramck, MI.
  • Meals come with traditional southern sides, such as collard greens and country baked beans, and finished with southern-inspired desert options, such as sweet potato pie or fried apple pie.
  • Maplewood’s 30-foot bar welcomes guests to pull up a stool and select from a distinctive collection of 16 bourbons and whiskeys that perfectly pair with the southern inspired menu. Select a traditional pour, or try one of three exclusive craft cocktails: a whiskey and bourbon smash, smoky Manhattan or an Old Fashioned with a twist.

EASTSIDE TACOS: Zip into Eastside Tacos for a quick bite or sit down for a fiesta that will leave you craving more.

  • From the streets of Detroit’s famous Mexican Town, to the concourse of 6 Championship Drive, Eastside Tacos serves authentic Mexican flavors and tortillas fresh off the griddle with the same street-taco flair.
  • The menu features fresh, simple ingredients from Mexico’s Riviera Maya that inspired Palace Executive Chef Lamar Nolden to create a street style menu that pairs bold flavors with warm tortillas. Choose from a wide variety of taco options – from roasted pork carnitas to grilled shrimp and veggies. Traditional Mexican accoutrements including pico de gallo, avocado salsa and charred tomato salsa accompany all tacos and bowls. 
  • Craving a crunch? The warm chilaquiles, or nachos as we commonly describe them, are a wonderful side or as a meal and are served with hot tomato salsa, fresh corn and queso cotija.
  • Quench your thirst with Mexican beers, or keep it cool with “The Perfect Margarita” and “The Paloma.”  For soda fans, we’re offering a full line of Mexico’s favorites – Mexican Coke, Mexican Sprite, Mexican Fanta Grape and Manzana soda flavors.

THE LINKERY: Handcrafted artisan sausages and rolls make The Linkery the place for an upscale twist on traditional game-night eats.

  • At The Linkery, Palace Executive Chef Lamar Nolden takes the classic experience of a sausage and a beer to a whole new level sourcing locally made sausages and rolls using the Palace’s recipes.
  • With local Metro Detroit partners, The Palace includes delicious options of smoked kielbasa from Dearborn Sausage Company of Detroit, spicy chicken sausage from Corridor Sausage Company in Eastern Market, and special hot links from Alexander Hornung of St. Clair Shores.
  • Found at no other sports arena, Linkery guests will be able to enjoy the ultimate sausage side – duck fat fries. Frying in duck fat provides a cleaner taste, crisper texture and richness on the palate.  For those looking for lighter fare, jalapeno slaw, white bean and kale salad and slow cooked pinto beans with chorizo and pickled onions round out the sides.
  • Thirsty? Local and national craft beers and a host of domestic options combine to make the perfect beverage pairing for any sausage. Chalk board menus will display the featured craft beers each event night and highlight pairings for each sausage.

PISTONS CONEYS: The Palace East Terrace brings a Michigan tradition to life with the introduction of “Pistons Coneys” at traditional concession stands located in the area.

  • Locally sourced Koegel links are smothered in traditional Coney sauce and topped with minced onion and yellow mustard.  It’s a taste that marries two great traditions – Michigan eats and Detroit Basketball.

 

SEATING UPGRADES

 

The Palace is also undergoing a three-year, $6 million dollar seating renovation that will replace all seating throughout the entire arena. Grand Rapids-based Irwin Seating Co. is replacing the 20,000-plus seats with new black leather and ergonomically placed cup holders.

 

The first phase, which includes approximately 6,000 seats located from the lower-level suites to the floor, has been completed.  Included were updates to the telescopic collapsible seating, which now utilize electronic mechanization controls and greatly reduce set-up and take-down times for operations staff.

 

The remainder of the lower bowl seating will be replaced during the summer of 2016 and the final 11,500 upper-level seats will be completed in 2017.

 

Utilizing the latest in proximity marketing, the new seating will eventually be equipped with near-field communications (NFC) technology that allows fans in-seat food and beverage ordering, special offers for merchandise as well as in-game contests and experiential opportunities.  Technology components are expected to be ready for the 2016-17 season.

 

In conjunction with the seating, Dryden-based Alton Group Inc. stripped and coated the concrete stairs with a speckled gray epoxy protective covering and the concrete flooring of the arena with black epoxy accented with a semi-gloss sheen. The metal flooring where seats retract has also been cleaned, repaired and re-anodized.

 

The concourse and seating renovations complement nearly $40 million in capital improvements made to the 21,231-seat multi-purpose home of the Detroit Pistons over the last four years and maintains The Palace’s standing as one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the country.