U.S. Bank Stadium: New star of the North

(02:31) See the complete time lapse video of the $1.03 billion stadium from the Star Tribune's Brian Peterson

After a decade of falling just short, legislation to build a new stadium was approved in 2012. Four years and more than $1 billion later, Minnesota has a new home for the Vikings and other sports and entertainment events.

U.S. Bank Stadium is the largest public works project in Minnesota history. Groundbreaking was in December 2013, shortly before the Vikings played their last game in the Metrodome. In January 2014, the Dome's roof was deflated for the final time.

From there, more than two years of frenzied activity produced the fourth-most expensive stadium in NFL history (nearly $1.1 billion) with more than 8,000 workers combining for a projected four million hours on the project. Noted for its "Viking ship" design and massive glass exteriors, the 1,750,000 square-foot stadium has already lured the 2018 Super Bowl and 2019 NCAA men's basketball Final Four. The official opening is set for Aug. 3 when two giants of European soccer meet in an exhibition match. Two concerts (Luke Bryan on Aug. 19 and Metallica on Aug. 20) take place before the Vikings' home opener against Green Bay on Sept. 18.

The stadium's signature feature is five large doors that are between 75 and 95 feet tall and were incorporated to allow fresh air. So even though the roof is fixed, on sunny autumn days those watching the Vikings will get a bit of an outdoor experience. At nearly twice the size of the Metrodome, the new stadium has seven levels, two concourses and seating for up to 70,000.

EXPLORE THE STADIUM

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