Populous Bags Churchill Downs Upgrade

Kansas City-based Populous, the global sports design firm, is leaving its mark on the world’s premier name in horse racing as part of an upgrade at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville. The track’s owners, in announcing the project today, said the design firm’s work would include 20 private, open-air, all inclusive Winner’s Circle Suites for those who have horses entered in the annual Kentucky Derby.

In addition to the suites, Populous designed a new trackside winner’s circle and a courtyard that will create temporary premium seating during Derby Week, a highlight of the 140-year-old track’s annual racing schedule.

Populous, which also provided design services for notable venues like Yankee Stadium and University of Phoenix Stadium (home to the Arizona Cardinals), also designed the KFC Yum! Center, the Louisville company’s headquarters.