Rapper Jay-Z kicked off the party to launch Brooklyn's new stadium last Friday, 28 September. The 18,000-seat Barclays Center is home to the Brooklyn Nets basketball team and will also be a major music venue.

This is the first time in 55 years that the borough has had its own major professional sports team, which will bring great economic benefits to the area.

Located in a busy shopping area, which is becoming increasingly residential, there has been a decade of opposition to the stadium plans.

Designed by AECOMM and ShoP architects, the stadium has 101 luxury suites, four bars/lounges and three clubs, including the latest site of Jay Z’s 40/40 CLUB.

Architect, Gregg Pasquarelli, says the arena's design was meant to pay homage to the grittiness of Brooklyn, while still appearing modern and employing elegant, minimalist elements. "We were trying to push the limits of what a sports arena can be. We wanted to make this arena more like a cultural building or a museum," he says.