Ericsson Stadium (Carolina Panthers Football Stadium)

Over 300 tons (272 tonnes) of galvanized steel was installed in the 14-story stadium. All the handrail, wall rail, catwalks, and misc. steel were hot-dip galvanized. The original specification was for a competing corrosion prevention system. However, once the architects realized the superior protection that galvanizing provides, they changed their minds.

Aware of the time, labor, and expense involved with painting, the fabricator and galvanizer installed a few sample handrails to demonstrate the aesthetic appeal of galvanized steel. The owners and architects agreed. Painting was simply unnecessary because the galvanizing looked great on its own. Once construction began, the building of Ericsson Stadium took only one year to complete. The mission of the architects and the owners was to create a stunning piece of architecture and to add another landmark to the skyline of the Queen City. The price tag for the Panther's den totaled $187 million. The steel components of Ericsson Stadium are expected to perform for decades with absolutely no maintenance.