The arena born from a failed 60-story skyscraper dream

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before it was a hockey mecca, UBS Arena was supposed to be a high-rise residential district. A failed zoning battle and a rejected $400 million public bond nearly left the New York Islanders without a home, forcing a pivot from a skyscraper vision to a $1.5 billion sports destination.

The path to UBS Arena was paved with architectural ambition and political gridlock. In 2004, the 'Lighthouse Project' proposed transforming the aging Nassau Coliseum into a massive entertainment district featuring a 60-story high-rise and a minor-league ballpark. While Nassau County approved the vision, the town of Hempstead refused to grant the necessary zoning changes, rendering the project 'economically unviable' and leading to its cancellation in 2010.

The Islanders' search for a permanent home continued through several failed avenues. Proposals included a site in Queens adjacent to Citi Field and a move to Brooklyn's Barclays Center—a venue criticized by fans for obstructed views and by players for 'substandard' ice quality. In 2011, a last-ditch effort to secure a $400 million public bond for a new arena in Nassau County was voted down by residents.

Construction on the present site commenced during September 2019, following a partnership formed by Sterling Equities, Oak View Group, and the Islanders. Located at Belmont Park, it was nicknamed 'The Stable' due to its proximity to the famous thoroughbred racing venue. The $1.5 billion project was designed to generate $25 billion in economic activity, including the construction of the Elmont station—the first new Long Island Rail Road station in nearly 50 years.

Opened in November 2021, the arena seats 17,250 for hockey and up to 19,000 for concerts. It has quickly become a versatile hub, hosting everything from the first professional hockey matches in North America featuring Israeli teams to the final concert of Aerosmith's farewell tour.

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