Arena das Dunas

The Arena das Dunas or Dunas Arena (lit. "Dunes Arena") is a football stadium designed by International Stadium Architect, Christopher Lee of Populous (formerly HOK Sport) under construction since January 2011 to host football matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup which will be held in Brazil. It is being built in the city of Natal in the capital of Rio Grande do Norte Brazilian state. The stadium is due to be built in place of the Machadão stadium whose buildings were demolished in 2011. This project replaces the old project called "Estádio Estrela dos Reis Magos" that would be located in the neighboring municipality of Parnamirim. In the new project, the stadium will have capacity of 45,000 people. A shopping center and commercial buildings, hotels of international standard and an artificial lake around the stadium will be built. The stadium is going to be located by the Senador Salgado Filho Avenue (BR-101 highway), a multi-lane road already served by the Complexo Viário do Quarto Centenário (Fourth Centennial Complex road). The project was one of the most praised by inspectors from FIFA.