under the west stands

Across the Georgia Tech campus, hidden spaces and forgotten places await rediscovery. Some are relics of an earlier time, difficult to find and explore. Others are very much in view, but often overlooked. Hidden Georgia Tech is a photo essay series highlighting places on campus that largely go unnoticed, but are hidden in plain sight.

 

WEST STANDS OF BOBBY DODD STADIUM

Grant Field has a storied history that includes heart-stopping football games as well as legendary rock concerts. Since the beginning, Grant Field has been a work in progress, and the stands have never been completely torn down and rebuilt.

Instead, the stands have been added to and remodeled in stages over time. In fact, the original West Stands are still underneath the current stands.

When plans were made in the late 1960s to renovate the stands, it was deemed easier to just build over the existing lower levels on the west side.
When plans were made in the late 1960s to renovate the stands, it was deemed easier to just build over the existing lower levels on the west side.

 

Keeping the concrete stands – and building over them – was less disruptive than removing them.
Keeping the concrete stands – and building over them – was less disruptive than removing them.

 

Sections of the old stands were carved out to make room for large columns to support the new stands.
Sections of the old stands were carved out to make room for large columns to support the new stands.

 

The seat numbers are still visible on the original West Stands.
The seat numbers are still visible on the original West Stands.

 

The seat numbers are still visible on the original West Stands.
The seat numbers are still visible on the original West Stands.

 

Today the space underneath the stands is used for storing game-day supplies, such as cushioned seatbacks.
Today the space underneath the stands is used for storing game-day supplies, such as cushioned seatbacks.

 

Today the space underneath the stands is used for storing game-day supplies.
Today the space underneath the stands is used for storing game-day supplies.
Today the space underneath the stands is used for storing game-day supplies, such as cushioned seatbacks.
Today the space underneath the stands is used for storing game-day supplies, such as cushioned seatbacks.
A relic of time and records gone by lies hidden underneath.
A relic of time and records gone by lies hidden underneath.
The renovated West Stands are larger than the original stands, which ended at the brick wall.
The renovated West Stands are larger than the original stands, which ended at the brick wall.
The renovated West Stands are larger than the original stands, which ended at the brick wall.
The renovated West Stands are larger than the original stands, which ended at the brick wall.

 

west stands panoramic
Do you know a hidden place on campus that should be featured?
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Photos by Rob Felt

Design by Melanie Goux

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