Von Braun Center

Von Braun Center
Aerial view of complex (c.2016)
Address700 Monroe Street
LocationHuntsville, Alabama, U.S.
Coordinates34°43′37″N 86°35′27″W / 34.726990°N 86.590887°W / 34.726990; -86.590887
OwnerCity of Huntsville
OperatorHuntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau
OpenedMarch 14, 1975 (1975-03-14)
Renovated
  • 2010-11
  • 2019-21
  • 2022
Construction cost
$15 million[1]
($103 million in 2023 dollars[2])
Former names
Huntsville Civic Center (planning/construction)
Von Braun Civic Center (1975-97)
Banquet/ballroom6,700 (South Hall)
1,365 (East Hall)
1,200 (North Hall)
Theatre seating
8,300 (Propst Arena)
1,955 (Smith Concert Hall)
1,575 (Mars Music Hall)
502 (The Playhouse)
Enclosed space
 • Total space368,938 square feet (34,275.5 m2)
 • Exhibit hall floor148,864 square feet (13,829.9 m2)
 • Breakout/meeting38,668 square feet (3,592.4 m2)
 • Ballroom37,544 square feet (3,488.0 m2)
Website
vonbrauncenter.com
Building details
General information
Current tenantsAlabama-Huntsville Chargers (NCAA) (1979–present)[4]
Huntsville Lasers (GBA) (1991–92)
Huntsville Blast (ECHL) (1993–94)
Huntsville Tornado (CHL) (2000–2001)
Huntsville Channel Cats (SHL/CHL/SEHL) (1995–2000, 2003–04)
Huntsville Fire (EISL) (1997–98)
Tennessee Valley Vipers (af2) (2000–04, 2006–09)
Huntsville Flight (NBDL) (2001–05)
Huntsville Havoc (SPHL) (2004–present)
Tennessee Valley Raptors (UIF) (2005)
Alabama Vipers (AFL) (2010)
Alabama Hammers (SIFL/PIFL) (2011–15)
GroundbreakingFebruary 23, 1973 (1973-02-23)[3]
Design and construction
Architect(s)Booz-Allen-Hamilton[5]
Renovating team
Architect(s)Matheny Goldmon
Structural engineerHodnett Hurst Engineers, Inc. and Geiger Engineers
Services engineerPeter Basso Associates
Civil engineerCRS Engineering, Inc.
Other designersAVANT ACOUSTICS LLC and Peerbolte Creative LLC
Main contractorVCC

The Von Braun Center (known as Von Braun Civic Center until 1997) is an entertainment complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 9,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama. The original facility debuted in 1975 and has undergone several significant expansions since its opening. In addition to the arena, the VBC complex features multiple exhibit halls, a concert hall, a playhouse, a music venue, and several additional facilities for meetings and exhibitions.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference tnhc750315 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference tida730224 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference uahchar1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference vbchistfi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).