A billion dollar entertainment district and hockey arena is rapidly taking shape in Detroit, US.

The HOK-designed Little Caesars Arena is on schedule to open in Q3 2017. It will be the new home for the Detroit Red Wings National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, and will host a number of other sports, entertainment and community events.

The proposed 20,000-seat arena will replace the current Joe Louis Arena, which has been home to the Red Wings since 1927.

Roof trusses and the sub-roof are currently being installed, in preparation for insulation and the roof’s exterior to be fitted.

The arena will be located at the heart of the wider Detroit District, which is being developed at an estimated cost of US$1.2bn. That project is also making progress, with foundations laid for the shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and other amenities that will surround the stadium.

The project is being funded by both private and public investment. The Little Caesars pizza chain recently agreed a 20-year naming rights agreement worth more than US$6m per year for the arena – one of the largest sponsorship investments ever made for a stadium whose sole professional sport is hockey.