Inspired by the great Roman Colosseum and the Yale Bowl in New Haven, CT, William Lathrop Leishman and architect Myron Hunt designed and constructed the Rose Bowl. The original architectural design has an open south end to let mild breezes in and to allow for a 220-year straight track. There were virtually no straight lines in the stands, which meant that each seat had a perfect sight line. Between 1931 and 2002, the wooden flooring has been replaced with concrete, the bleachers raised on both ends for a consistent height and aluminum seating has replaced wooden benches. It has grown from it’s original capacity of 57,000 to 93,000, including a three-level press box and 37 luxury suites.