[nick_taylor]

London Stadium's/Arena's Under Construction, Approved and Proposed




The List
1 - Wembley Stadium - Football - 90,000
2 - Twickenham Stadium - Rugby - 82,000
3 - Olympic Stadium - Athletics - 80,000
4 - Emirates Stadium - Football - 60,000
5 - New Stamford Bridge - Football - 60,000
6 - Millennium Dome Arena - Multi-use - 26,000
7 - The Oval - Cricket - 23,000
8 - Croydon Gateway Arena - Multi-use - 12,500




London Borough Map showing the Stadium's/Arena's General Location
http://img175.exs.cx/img175/8071/map8af.gif




London Rail Map showing the Stadium's/Arena's General Location
http://img210.exs.cx/img210/9898/londonurban4ik.jpg




Current Stadium's/Arena's allready built in London above 10,000+
1 - Twickenham Stadium - Rugby - 75,000
2 - Stamford Bridge - Football - 42,449
3 - Highbury - Football - 38,500
4 - White Hart Lane - Football - 36,214
5 - Boleyn Ground - Foobtall - 35,056
6 - Lord's - Cricket - 28,000
7 - The Valley - Football - 26,500
8 - Selhurst Park - Football - 26,309
9 - Craven Cottage - Football - 22,000
10 - The New Den - Football - 20,146
11 - Loftus Road - Football - 19,148
12 - The Oval - Cricket - 18,500
13 - Crystal Palace - Athletics - 15,500
14 - Matchroom Stadium - Football - 13,842
15 - Centre Court - Tennis - 13,810
16 - Griffin Park - Football/Rugby - 12,763
17 - Stoop Memorial Ground - 12,500
18 - No 1 Court - Tennis - 11,429
19 - London Arena - Ice Hockey - 10,000




Combined list of built, expanded, closed, u/c, approved and proposed Stadium's and Arena's in London above 10,000+
1 - Wembley Stadium - Football - 90,000
2 - Twickenham Stadium - Rugby - 82,000
3 - Olympic Stadium - Athletics - 80,000
4 - Emirates Stadium - Football - 60,000
5 - New Stamford Bridge - Football - 60,000
6 - White Hart Lane - Football - 36,214
7 - Boleyn Ground - Foobtall - 35,056
8 - Lord's - Cricket - 28,000
9 - The Valley - Football - 26,500
10 - Selhurst Park - Football - 26,309
11 - Millennium Dome Arena - Multi-use - 26,000
12 - The Oval - Cricket - 23,000
13 - Craven Cottage - Football - 22,000
14 - The New Den - Football - 20,146
15 - Loftus Road - Football - 19,148
19 - Crystal Palace - Athletics - 15,500
17 - Matchroom Stadium - Football - 13,842
18 - Centre Court - Tennis - 13,810
19 - Griffin Park - Football/Rugby - 12,763
20 - Croydon Gateway Arena - Multi-use - 12,500
21 - Stoop Memorial Ground - 12,500
22 - No 1 Court - Tennis - 11,429
23 - London Arena - Ice Hockey - 10,000




















1 - Wembley Football Stadium


Capacity: 90,000 all-seated, all-covered

Status: Under Construction

Completion Date: Spring 2006


http://www.wembleystadium.com/gfx/home_mainIMG6.jpg


Possibly the world's most famous stadium, Wembley has been totally rebuilt for the next century. The new incarnation claims to be the largest football stadium, not due to its capacity of seats, but because of its immense size. For example, each seat at the new Wembley will have a space of 1.92m2, compared to 0.88m2 in the Stade de France in Paris (where the 2012 Olympics would be held) and 1.25m2 at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney, Australia (where the 2000 Olympic Games were held). Infact each seat in the new stadium will have more space than the Royal Box seats of the old Wembley.

The original stadium opened in 1923 for the FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United. At the time the name was originally the Empire Stadium and had a maximum capacity of 100,000. However on the day around an expected 250,000 turned up and crammed into the stadium. Even more amazing was the fact that the game actually took place!

The stadium in its distinguished career, has hosted the 1966 World Cup, three European Cup Finals and in 1996 the European Football Championship Final. It had also held the Athletics of the 1948 Summer Olympics. It has also served as a music venue and has become notable through such immense concerts such as Live Aid of 1985, Queen's immense 1986 concert, the 1986 Freddie Mercury Tribute and 1988 Nelson Mandela Tribute concert.

The new stadium will be able to hold both football, rugby, athletics meetings and music events. The new Wembley Stadium was originally going to be the main stadium for the 2012 Olympic Games, if London wins the bidding process. However even though the system that will allow for athletics meetings is identical to that of what the New York 2012 West Side stadium proposals suggests, the various sporting authorities deemed it appropiate that football should be its main priority if London as to host the 2012 Olympic Games (Stratford would be the site for another stadium of 80,000 capacity).

The most noticable aspect of the stadium is the massive arch which is 133m tall, and visible from most of London. It is 315m and is classified as being the longest single roof structure in the world. At night, hundreds of lights will illuminate the arch ensuring that it is engrained in the nightscape of London. It also has a structural usage, as it holds 60% of the southern roof and 100% of the northern roof and means that no pillars are required in the stadium which would obstruct views. it weighs in at 1,7550 tonnes and is wide enough for a Channel Tunnel train to run its course 'through' the pipe and the London Eye could fit underneath the arch.

The design of the stadium roofing is done to the degree where it allows as much sunlight to enter the stadium, but to ensure that shadows are not cast over the pitch which is bad for TV coverage. The size of the roof is 11 acres, with 4 acres being movable - all spectators in the stadium are covered.

To ensure that the atmosphere of the old Wembley has been replicated into the new Wembley, digital recordings were taken during the England Vs Poland game. This has meant that if you were a spectator in the old Wembley, the same sound would be made and heard in the new Wembley - something which is revolutionary for stadium design.

The circumference of the stadium is 1km and the height to the heighest seat is 52m (the arch going up to 133m). The stadium will also be home to 2,000+ toilets which is believed to be the most of any stadium on the planet. 40 escalators totally 400m in length will enable fans to distribute around the stadium in far greater times. It will also be the world's first and only stadium to have an aircraft warning beacon. The total cost of the stadium is £757mn (US$1,455mn)


Pelé once said that:
"Wembley is the church of football. It is the capital of football and it is the heart of football"

The era continues!


Latest images from last month
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/D2DDAEED-87B9-4B1D-9A2D-0C4F86663C76/52553/AerialImage.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/13F76F39-4EA7-4C5E-9B47-27F80D5DC9E6/52616/Image3.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/7006DBA2-28D4-47B9-BB59-FACD85305F09/52564/Image10.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/02680EE4-0ABD-46FC-A69B-3094050C351C/52557/SteelImage.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/B32C7639-6123-4F4D-B43E-EFF9B56FA7D4/52561/Image4.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/0E331061-D611-4617-9F29-7935EEA33447/52551/Image2.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/D4CA919C-4086-4080-8C90-E4ABAB12C53D/52549/Image1.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/F9CACDBF-BE12-4C22-99E3-E5B5A1E9D8A7/52555/Image5.jpg


Web Cam Pictures Today
http://webcam.thefa.com/webcamarch.jpg

http://webcam.thefa.com/webcamSouth.jpg

http://webcam.thefa.com/webcamhome.jpg

http://webcam.thefa.com/webcamnorth.jpg


The Design
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL85/949935/2682391/34056835.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/images/presspackimages/wembley_crosssection.gif

http://www.wembleystadium.com/images/hires/corp.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/images/hires/club.jpg


Picture taken last year showing the stadium on the London skyline
http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/1E635951-7264-4B7B-9829-187F10267B65/35094/WembleyArchLight.jpg

Wembley Stadium is served by three stations: Wembley Park, Wembley Stadium and Wembley Central. All three are being modernised and rapidly expanded to cope with the added pressures for greater fluidity of supporters too and from the station


Wembley Stadium Station
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/C89DFAF8-B25B-4B9E-B53F-6CFE6C8002B9/50249/WembleyStadiumStationweb.jpg


Wembley Park Station
http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/images/wembley/sheet1_large.jpg

http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/images/wembley/mainentrance2sheet_large.jpg

http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/images/wembley/sheet5_large.jpg

http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/images/wembley/sheet6_large.jpg


Wembley Central Station
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/E0957181-ADC5-414D-9824-832B1F33172B/50461/WembleyCentralWeb2.jpg


Also connected with the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium, is the redevelopment of the area surrounding 58.5acres

http://www.new-wembley.com/popup/proposal/aerial-dusk.jpg

http://www.new-wembley.com/popup/design/Boulevard-Day.jpg http://www.new-wembley.com/popup/design/PiazzaView.jpg



















2 - Twickenham Stadium


Capacity: 82,000 all-seated, all-covered

Status: Under Construction

Completion Date: Spring 2006


http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/furniture/head_title.gif


Regarded as the international home of Rugby, Twickenham is a stadium soaked in legacy since its creation. The stadium has existed on the site since the first game was played back on October 2, 1909 between Harlequins V Richmond. The first international game was held on January 15, 1910 between England V Wales. Nicknames for the stadium include: Cabbage Patch and HQ. The current capacity of the stadium is 75,000 but, permission to expand was granted in October last year and construction work has already begun. Once the 6 Nations Tournament has finished (last game being England vs Scotland on March 19th), main construction work will take over and after June, the entire South Stand will be torn down, which itself has only existed in its current form for 24 years.

Twickenham has also taken on Wembley's role of holding large scale concerts while it is undergoing redevelopment, with the likes of Rolling Stones in the past and will hold U2's premier concert during the Summer.

Replacing the old South Stand will be the New South Stand which will allow the stadium to increase in capacity to 82,000 and allow for the stadium to be a 'complete' stadium (currently the West, North and East Stands are practically identical in look and capacity). Incorporated into the stand will be a brand new 400 seater arts centre for the local residents, a 200 bed 4-star hotel, conference centre, banqueting hall, health and fitness club and a new RFU store. New flats will be built to accomodate the loss of several homes due to the re-construction of the South Stand and the capacity will be limited to only 65,000 during construction. Ward McHugh & Associates are the architects beind the South Stand. Cost for the new South Stand is set at around £80mn (US$153.8mn)


The Site
The stand that is being redeveloped is the South Stand shown in the background of this picture
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0e/Twickenham_rfu.jpg


Aerials of the current stadium
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/zapotek/Twickers3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/zapotek/Twickers1.jpg


The Design
http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/projects/twickenham_sou_st/images/twickenham01.jpg




















3 - London 2012 Olympic Stadium


Capacity: 80,000 all-seated, all-covered

Status: Proposed

Completion Date: Unknown


The date where a decision is to be made as to who will host the 2012 Olympics is just around the corner. Currently Paris is seen as the leader with London followed close behind. Unlike Paris's bid, London's Olympic Stadium would be brand new and built on what is currently a wasteland which within the next few years will become another focus for London with numerous 150m+ towers for the immediate area. With the completition of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Crossrail and the various DLR extensions, Stratford and the Olympic Stadium will probably be one of the most connected stadiums on the planet. Paris would ironically be only 2hrs from the Olympics Stadium if it is built thanks to CTRL which will complete in 2008.


The Design
http://img131.exs.cx/img131/4903/olympicparkfromtheair0sz.jpg

http://img105.exs.cx/img105/6582/olympicstadium6dm.jpg

http://img105.exs.cx/img105/8536/olympicstadiumii8qr.jpg


The site in 2004
The large 'concrete submerged box' is the 1km long Stratford International station, where the 400m long Eurostar 186mph (300kph) passenger trains will stop - the Olympic Stadium would be next door to what is going to be one of the largest regeneration projects in London and will create Europe's largest new urban park for 150 years. The park will be 500 acres, for comparison - Central Park, New York is 843 acres and Hyde Park + Kensington Gardens, London is 905 acres.
http://www.ctrl.co.uk/photos/contractLarge.asp?ID=5135

http://www.ctrl.co.uk/photos/contractLarge.asp?ID=5137

http://www.ctrl.co.uk/photos/contractLarge.asp?ID=5140



















4 - Emirates Stadium (Ashburton Grove)


Capacity: 60,000 all-seated, all-covered

Status: Under Construction

Completion Date: August 2006


http://www.arsenal.com/images/PreviousSite/root/e/emirates_stadium_large.jpg


Arsenal have outgrown their ancient art-deco 38,500 stadium at Highbury and are moving westwards to their new 60,000 stadium next year. The club has been around since October 1886 and originally started south of the River Thames in Plumstead. Its "first" name was Dial Square FC and eventually the workers from the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory progressed into a more professional squad over the years.

The height of the stadium is 41.9m, is situated on a 17 acres site sandwiched between numerous tube, regional and commuter rail lines. 100 flights of stairs, 13 elevators and 5 escalators will ensure that spectators are moved safely and efficiently throughout the stadiums 4 tiers. There will also be space for 250 wheelchair users and 150 executive boxes capable of serving around 2,000 patrons. 900 WC's, 113 disabled toilets and 370m of urinals will help spectators relieve themselves.

The name of the stadium through planning was termed as Ashburton Grove (due to the area) and has evolved into the Emirates Stadium after a deal was signed with Emirates the UAE based airline group for £100mn (US$192mn) for naming rights to the name of the stadium for 15 years and shirt sponsorship for 8 years (after falling out with Roman Abromovich's Chelsea eaelier last year). The cost of the stadium is £357mn (US$686mn).


June 2004 picture
http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/stadium18062004_23.jpg


November 2004 pictures
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Neromasc/DSCN0246.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Neromasc/DSCN0245.jpg


Latest images from last month
http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/story_emirates16022005.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/PreviousSite/root/e/emirates16022005_1.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/PreviousSite/root/e/emirates16022005_2.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/PreviousSite/root/e/emirates16022005_3.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/PreviousSite/root/e/emirates16022005_4.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/PreviousSite/root/e/emirates16022005_5.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/PreviousSite/root/e/emirates16022005_6.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/PreviousSite/root/e/emirates16022005_7.jpg


Webcam Link:
http://www.arsenal.com/images/launch_webcam_button.gif


The Design
http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img3.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/theclub/stadium_2106_1024.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/theclub/stadiumsky2.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img10.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img5.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img2.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img12.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img11.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img9.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img13.jpg


Conversion of Highbury
When Arsenal move out of Highbury (their current home), the listed art-deco stadium will be converted into apartments
http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img17.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img15.jpg


Arsenal will also be redeveloping some of the adjacent land to their relatively close Lough Road training ground (under the big silver roof)
http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img19.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/thestadium/gallery/large/img20.jpg



















5 - New Stamford Bridge


Capacity: 60,000 all-seated, all-covered

Status: Feasability

Completion Date: Unknown


Another 60,000+ capacity stadium for London, this time in West London. Russian billionaire Roman Abromovich who is according to Forbes Richest List, ranked 25th in the world brought Chelsea football club in July 2003. He has used his immense wealth to wipe out all debt, brought in new players and, manager, coaching staff and back-office staff and this has meant that Chelsea are now leaders in the Premiership ahead of the likes of London rivals Arsenal and giants Manchester United.

Currently their stadium is Stamford Bridge and has a capacity of 42,449, and there are rumours that Abromovich is keen to expand the stadium to cater for the new era that the team is currently going through (each game is easily a sell-out), that expansion of the current stadium is inevitable. 60,000 is a figure that I have heard, but I wouldn't be suprised if Roman goes for a stadium figure which is higher.


Look of the current stadium
http://www.outdoor.se/css/g_360_1.jpg



















6 - Millennium Dome Arena


Capacity: 26,000 all-seated, all-covered

Status: Approved

Completion Date: 2010


http://www.aeg-domearena.co.uk/test/final-_logo.jpg


Part of a massive regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula, the Millennium Dome Arena will be situated under the world's largest fabric structure: the Millennium Dome. Once finished, it will be the largest indoor arena in Europe. It is expected that the new arena will be the flagship project for regeneration of the area which will hold 150 events a year and become a new high density living space. The accessibility to the site is increased by the immense North Greenwich tube station which was one of the massive stations opened for the Jubilee Line Extension (as large as Canary Wharf tube station). This arena would be used for gymnastics if London wins the bidding process for the 2012 Olympic Games. However, even if London does not win the bidding process, the arena will still be built. The cost to construct the arena within the Millennium Dome will be £135mn (US$259mn).


Current views of the Millennium Dome
http://web.it.kth.se/~dick56/Travel/London/DomeDusk.jpg

http://www.stacey.peak-media.co.uk/Docklands/GreenwichPeninsula/800-04040051.jpg


The Design
http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/projects/millenium_dome/images/millenniumdome04.jpg

http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/projects/millenium_dome/images/millenniumdome05.jpg

http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/projects/millenium_dome/images/millenniumdome06.jpg



















7 - The Oval


Capacity: 23,000 all-seated, all-covered

Status: Under Construction

Completion Date: 31 May 2005


http://www.surreycricket.com/customsidemenu/210/images/topright_2.gif


Home to Surrey Cricket Club, it is home to the last test match of the Summer (not to be confused with Lords which is another cricket ground in London which hosts most international cricket games, home to Middlesex Crusaders and has a capacity of 28,000). It has had a long distinguised history, and the ground has been played upon since 1845 (160 years ago). The first ever test match in England took place at the Oval in 1880 against Australia and has played host to various great visiting cricket countries such as South Africa, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and among many others. During WW2 it was used as a PoW camp. The stadium is split into two ends: the Vauxhall End and the Pavillion End. Currently the capacity 19,000 and this is expected to rise to 23,00 once the Vauxhall End is expanded and modernised. The expansion work has been on-going since 2 February 2004 and is due to be finished in the coming months.

Included in the expansion is the inclusion of various conference facilites, a new media centre, community centre, sports hall, 2 500 seat banqueting suites, as well as various new seating and executive boxes. The cost for the Vauxhall End redevelopment is £25mn (US$48mn).


Images from February 2005
http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/redevelopment%20pics/OCSBack.jpg

http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/redevelopment%20pics/hospocs.jpg

http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/redevelopment%20pics/FullOCS.jpg


Image from December 2004
http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/redevelopment%20pics/Dec-04.jpg


Images from November 2004
http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/redevelopment%20pics/November7.jpg

http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/redevelopment%20pics/November8.jpg

http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/redevelopment%20pics/November8A.jpg

http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/redevelopment%20pics/November9.jpg


The Design
http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/website%20material/View-from-pav.jpg

http://www.surreycricket.com/portalimages/000C0D2E-EC09-1B14-BB0C61B1C39D78F0/website%20material/ExteriorA.jpg




















8 - Croydon Gateway Arena


Capacity: 12,500 all-seated, all-covered

Status: Proposed

Completion Date: 2012


http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/menu/CG_nav_r1_c1.gif


Croydon is a borough in South London which has been trying to redevelop a site with extraordinary potential. The site lines next door to East Croydon Station, a line that goes south to the 6th largest international airport in the world: London Gatwick and Brighton and north to London Bridge, Victoria and Charing Cross rail termini. The local government have been wishing for a stadium and various high density residential and office buildings on the site to regeneratet area and give a central focus and gateway for the London borough.

The 12,500 seater arena will be based upon what is regarded as the world's most advanced indoor arena in Hamburg, Germany. The centre is aimed at serving a broad range of uses including: Conferences, Ice Championships, Ballroom Dancing, Basketball, Equestrian/Show Jumping, BMX Biking, Martial Arts, Boxing, Ice Hockey, Car Launches, Ice Shows, Political Events, Skateboarding, Product Launches, Tennis, Theatre Productions, Musicals, Religious Festivals, Volleyball, Rock Concerts and Wrestling/WWF. 5,000 people will be able to seat simultaneously within restaurants in the arena. Consultation of the general public finished late last year and concrete plans will become apparent in the near future.


The Design
http://img11.exs.cx/img11/7979/croydon0mx.jpg

http://img169.exs.cx/img169/5093/croydon24nt.png


Overhead view of what the site will look like in the future
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r1_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r2_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r3_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r4_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r5_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r6_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r7_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r8_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r9_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r10_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r11_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r12_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r13_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r14_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r15_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r16_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r17_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r18_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r19_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r20_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r21_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r22_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r23_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r24_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r25_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r26_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r27_c1.jpg
http://www.croydongateway.co.uk/images/index/front_outline_r28_c1.jpg

[Amazing Indy]

Fantastic post, just one thing...you posted the stadium pics twice...just might want to take care of that so its not so big and dosen't take long for forumers who don't have high speed internet.

The design's on all the stadiums are stunning....especially the emirates and the Olympic stadium one. I have to say for the olympics I'd love to see them in NYC or London, those are the two i like.

[Jonovision]

WOW....these designs are amazing!!!!!

[nick_taylor]

Fixed :)

[keninhalifax]

A very extensive thread!

I'm super-excited for the New Wembley, it looks as though it's coming along rather quickly!

[Stephenapolis]

Wow! With all of those stadiums and arenas, London must LOVE it's sports!

[HurricaneHugo]

O_o

How the hell can they afford to build all of them?

[nick_taylor]

UPDATE

Emirates Stadium (Ashburton Grove)

Capacity: 60,000 all-seated, all-covered

Status: Under Construction

Completion Date: August 2006


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/carlspannard/london_10_03_2005_1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/carlspannard/london_10_03_2005_2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/carlspannard/london_10_03_2005_3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/carlspannard/london_10_03_2005_4.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/boingboingbaggies/Ashburton%202.JPG





Other News

Stamford Bridge
Continuing on from the first post, I have heard that Chelsea are looking to easily double the capacity of their Stamford Bridge ground (expectations were that it would only be around 60,000) and to rival the capacity that of the Nou Camp which is Barcelona's football ground. Remembering that the current Stamford Bridge has a capacity of 42,449 and the Nou Camp has a capacity of 98,600.


White Hart Lane
Home to another Premiership team called Tottenham Hotspurs, the current capacity is 36,214. But the team have been wanting to expand because every game is a sell-out. Unfortunately the stadium is located on a tertiary train line and not close enough to a tube station meaning that planning permission to expand has not been granted. A proposal put forward was that a spur could be constructed on the London Underground Victoria line, allowing direct stadium connection to the London Underground network. However the cost-benefit analysis proved that the daily usage would be very low and the cost to construct the tunnel and extension would be prohibitive. Tottenham have however reportedly now looked at building a whole new stadium altogether possibly near to the London Liverpool Street train terminus - London Stansted Airport - Cambridge mainline slightly to the east. This information is very vague, but it would be probable that the stadium would have upwards of 60,000 fans due to the fact that Tottenham is the most 'supported' club in London.

[Stratosphere]

Wow! The Olympic and the Wembley stadiums are beautiful and elegant. Shame on New York for choosing such an ugly design for its Olympic stadium.:dunno:

[NYguy]

Wow! With all of those stadiums and arenas, London must LOVE it's sports!

True. NIMBYism must not be as big over there when it comes to stadiums.

Strato: NY didn't "choose" a design for the stadium, an arhchitect designed it. Big difference. However, the design for the westside stadium in Manhattan is perfect for its location and function.

[wolfram]

i think the stamford bridge expansion rumors exist because we all like to speculate 'what else' the zany shady billionaire can do.
i don't see where they could put more seats (go up? go into the cemetery?), i suppose they could rebuild the newly rebuilt north stand(competed in the last few years), but i think they have expansion issues like man utd. - rail lines next door.
i don't know what it is, but an english stadium HAS to be next to a rail line, the fact arsenal is relocating an 1/8 mile to ashburton grove next to some rail lines validates this cardinal rule of planning.

the grapevine also says fulham fc is looking to move somewhere around fulham and build a 30000+ seat stadium. they were going to rebuild craven cottage a couple years ago but couldn't get planning permission.

[nick_taylor]

There has been massive debate over the years; especially for the new Wembley stadium. It is afterall a national stadium and not an actual club stadium for football. For instance people in the North of England in say Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, etc were against the new Wembley being built on the ground of the old Wembley simply because it is not in a centralised location for the entire population to get to. Highly detailed plans were drawn up for instance for the new Wembley to be built just outside Birmingham, which is a city roughly in the centre of all the major urban areas and general population of the country.

The entire media in England was divided over whether the stadium should be built on the site of the old stadium because of its tradition and memories, or that it should be outside Birmingham where the greatest catchment of people could reach it within the shortest amount of time.

Now even when the actual site had been finalised, problems arose in how it should be designed. The twin towers for instance were an international symbol, but there was no way that they could be incorporated into the new stadium which is around 2.5x larger than the old Wembley (yet with only 10,000 more seats). Many people weren't happy with the demolition of the towers, but now people are starting to like the arch. Problems do however continue to exist; partly due to the fact that due to the size and dimensions of the arch it has affected television reception to several hundred local people. There are even hardcore England football fans who are from the north and will boycott the stadium being in London full stop such is the anger that it was allowed to be built there :D


Twickenham is unfortunate in that it does not have its own immediate station for rapid transportation of people around and out of the city before and after games. The main problem with Twickenham is thus the flows of people to and from the surrounding stations which can be a few minutes away. However the new stand incorporates much needed local community amenities such as dance halls, etc and that was a sure fire winner for expansion of the stadium.


Now the Olympic Stadium is something different. Some people aren't against the stadium itself as the stadium would be the final jewel in the crown for the regeneration of the Stratford Rail Lands. The main NIMBYism here is the Olympics itself which is seen by some as a waste of money (ie the money could be better spent on police, schools, transport, etc...)


Ashburton Grove is a different story, because it is fronted on three sides by tube, suburban, metro and national railway lines. The current home of Arsenal FC is hemned in on all sides by residential streets. However the main concern by local residents is in the after-match crowds where fights do start.


The massive expansion of Stamford Bridge is also something different. Curently the stadium is surrounded on two sides by railway lines, but currently on one side of the stadium lies a residential development which is actually "fused" with the stadium. This is a relic of the previous owner's aim at raising money for previous expansion to the stadium. Obviously the residents of the development would have to be booted out for the stadium to be expanded.


With the Oval, many people thought that it was out of touch with the rest of the stadium dating back 160 years. But local opposition was due to the fact sunlight might be impeded or that more people would be around the stadium due to the expansion.


There really isn't any opposition to the Dome becoming an arena. But there is anger that the dome itself has been left to decay for 3 years.


The main problem with the Croydon Arena is that there are essentially two developers aiming to redevelop this 'gateway' site. One wishes to build an arena and various other commercial and residential buildings on the site. The other developer wishes to build several very large towers....but no arena. The general consensus within the local community, the borough council and the GLA is that this site is perfect for an arena. Debate still goes on, but its likely that the arena will actually be built.

[nick_taylor]

Pictures of the interior of the 60,000 Emirates Stadium (Ashburton Grove)


http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates07032005_08x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates07032005_09x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates07032005_04x.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Another Update!!!!!



Wembley Stadium

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/B05875B4-1846-49A8-B211-E654FBBAFC0A/54683/Image3.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/694EE0D3-F22B-42B9-A55D-E3508277C653/54687/Image5.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/D5EEA797-C6B2-4C07-837C-3696A73B04A3/54053/Glassgladdingimage.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/98333349-A141-41BB-89B4-7E11E63BA8F6/53980/Aerialview.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/0E756ECB-C791-4887-8B7B-8A40DF22BD57/53977/StadiumatDawn.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/4E3EFAC3-814D-4254-A113-D08BE5376448/54115/FWPressDayImage.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/4CB8CC4F-CECE-43FC-8A7C-0964AAE7E799/54685/Image4.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/62870A78-4F50-466A-9279-C432B8B11D2B/53983/Image1.jpg



Emirates Stadium (Ashburton Grove)

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates02042005_05x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates02042005_09x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates02042005_08x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates02042005_06x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates16032005_03x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates16032005_04x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates16032005_02x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates16032005_05x.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Update





Millennium Dome Arena

More good news for London - construction has started on what will become the largest indoor arena on the planet (26,000 capacity). Construction will be interesting, considering the arena will be built under the immense roof of the Millennium Dome which of course blocks any possibility for cranes. The Millennium Dome would hold the gymnastics and basketball finals if London wins the 2012 Olympics bidding process.

http://info.aegworldwide.co.uk/templates/dome/images/the_dome_bg.jpg





Hockey Stadium + Aquatic Centre

This week has also seen the green light given for a new 5,000 Hockey Stadium, construction should start within the month. News on the new 20,000 capacity Aquatic Centre should be announced within the next few weeks.





Leyton Orient's Matchroom Stadium

Currently Leyton Orient's ground has a capacity of 13,842. But this is changing with the rebuild of the West Stand, the capacity will rise to 15,500.

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/b8/52/0,,10439~545464,00.jpg

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/b9/52/0,,10439~545465,00.jpg

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/ba/52/0,,10439~545466,00.jpg

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/bb/52/0,,10439~545467,00.jpg

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/bc/52/0,,10439~545468,00.jpg

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/bd/52/0,,10439~545469,00.jpg

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/be/52/0,,10439~545470,00.jpg



This is what the end result should look like:

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/5b/cf/0,,10439~249691,00.jpg

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/5c/cf/0,,10439~249692,00.jpg

http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/5a/cf/0,,10439~249690,00.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Update





Wembley National Stadium


Pictures from www.albiontillwedie.co.uk

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley1.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley2.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley3.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley4.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley5.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley6.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley7.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley8.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley9.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley10.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley11.jpg

http://www.albiontillwedie.co.uk/Images/wembley05/Wembley12.jpg





Emirates Stadium


Photos from http://pixec.fotopic.net

http://images1.fotopic.net/?iid=ysucwu&outx=600&quality=70

http://images3.fotopic.net/?iid=ysuc02&outx=600&quality=70

http://images1.fotopic.net/?iid=ysuc05&outx=600&quality=70

http://images2.fotopic.net/?iid=ysuc0s&outx=600&quality=70

http://images5.fotopic.net/?iid=ysuc0f&outx=600&quality=70

http://images4.fotopic.net/?iid=ysuc03&outx=600&quality=70

[nick_taylor]

Update



Emirates Stadium

Aerials of the new stadium from the 21st April

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates25042005_01x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates25042005_02x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates25042005_03x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates25042005_05x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates25042005_06x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates19042005_2x.jpg

[MadGerald]

The latest new regarding Stamford Bridge is as follows.
"Chelsea could have to drop their famous name if they move out of Stamford Bridge.

The 'Chelsea FC' name is held by members of the Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO), who also own the ground and the turnstiles at Stamford Bridge.


While Chelsea have dismissed suggestions that they plan to use the new Wembley stadium if they decide to rebuild Stamford Bridge as 'pure speculation', it emerged that any move out of their west London home could involve the loss of their famous name.

The Barclays Premiership leaders, who will secure their first title in 50 years if they beat Bolton at the Reebok Stadium tomorrow, denied any plans were in place to move to the new showpiece £757million Wembley stadium or that they were involved in talks about the renovation and upgrading of their current ground.

Chelsea's current capacity is 42,449 and it is no secret that the club's current success has put a strain on their resources because of the massive increase in the numbers of fans wanting to see Jose Mourinho's side in action.

But any restructuring of Stamford Bridge cannot be undertaken without detailed consultations involving the local authorities, residents and the CPO.

The biggest stumbling block for any proposed relocation from Stamford Bridge would mean the loss of Chelsea FC, as one of the safeguards put in place by the CPO was that the name could not be traded on outside their spiritual home.

A spokesman for the CPO, Stephen Frankham, said: 'My recollection is the CPO own the name of the football club and the CPO shareholders would have to be balloted about such a move.

'But I don't think they can trade as the `Chelsea FC' brand away from Stamford Bridge. It was to stop the name going anywhere.

'How the club deal with that I'm not certain. The CPO also own the pitch and if Stamford Bridge was redeveloped as a stadium then no problem.

'But the pitch cannot be redeveloped for commercial use.'

To make matters even more difficult for the club's owner, Roman Abramovich, the penthouses alongside the ground are, in the main, privately owned and therefore it would be virtually impossible for the club to serve compulsory purchase orders on them. One of the flat owners is former club chairman Ken Bates, who sold the club to the Russian billionaire.

Chelsea have acknowledged several times in discussion forums with their supporters that they would like to increase the capacity to 50,000 but it would take an enormous amount of planning to merely upgrade the ground for such a limited increase in seats.

A spokesman for the club told PA Sport today: 'Chelsea have made it public on several occasions that in an ideal world we would like to increase the capacity to around 50,000.

'However that depends on a variety of different factors and there are several major issues involved.

'Nothing will be done without the complete co-operation and dialogue with the local council and residents.

'But at this time any speculation with regard to increasing the attendance capacity is exactly that - pure speculation.'"

This doesnt take into consideration that many doubt Chelsea could fill a 60k stadium. Even with Chelsea's recent success, historically Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have had a much larger fanbase.

I wouldnt be surprised if in the long term Roman gets bored of his new toy and decides to go elsewhere.

[nick_taylor]

Update


Article from football magazine 4-4-2, sourced by Sparks from SCC.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/scan.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/scan0006.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/scan0001.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/scan0005.jpg

[Benhamin]

Amazing job, lots of great info.

Thanks.

[nick_taylor]

Update




Updated Stadium & Arena List for London in 2012 (above 20,000, all-seater capacity)

Wembley - 90,000

Twickenham - 82,000
Olympic Stadium - 80,000

Stamford Bridge - 65,000
Emirates Stadium - 60,000

White Hart Lane - 50,000

The Valley - 40,600
Boleyn Ground - 40,500

Craven Cottage - 30,000

Lord's - 28,000
Selhurst Park - 26,309
Millennium Dome - 26,000
Griffin Park - 25,000
The Oval - 23,000
The New Den - 20,146

As you can see, the list for London's ever-growing stadia continues - perhaps the most immense list of stadia any city could ever imagine!!!!




News

As if the list I showed at the beginning of the thread was enough, yet more news of stadium expansion come to light!!!

Chelsea
Work is well underway at both of the main stadia in London. But the shock defeat of Chelsea to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League (Liverpool will now play AC Milan in the Final) has meant they will only have to relish winning the Barclaycard Premiership. It has also pushed forward more rumours for their new stadium with something in the region of 60-70,000 now likely as the capacity.


Tottenham Hotspurs
Tottenham Hotspurs are also still looking at the problem of overcrowding at their current (36,214 capacity) White Hart Lane stadium. Just like Arsenal's Highbury Stadium, White Hart Lane is surrounded on all sides by residential streets. Unfortunately while Arsenal will be moving to their new 60,000, Tottenham simply do not have the funds (even though they have by far the largest fan support base in London and its metropolitan area than any other football team) to move to a whole new stadium. They did once have a plan to rent out the new Wembley Stadium - but that would be sacrilege and simply would never happen!

However recent developments have come to my attention that Tottenham are pursuing to redevelop the West Stand, so that the stadium would have a seating capacity of around 50,000. As such news is fresh, there are as of yet no images detailing the new stand, but the design is expected to be semi-circular in design to get as much use out of the land as possible.


Charlton Athletic
Roughly midway in the Premiership, Charlton Athletic have big plans for 'The Valley' stadium. Currently the capacity is 27,116 after restructuring work of a few stands back in 2002, but Charlton still aim higher. Last December, the club have now gained planning consent to expand the ground to 30,900 and are now loking to build the stadium up to a whopping 40,600 all-seater capacity stadium with work starting in 2007.


Fulham
Fulham are a reasonable team in the Barclaycard Premiership that have had several problems in trying to find a site for a new stadium. They had to ground-share with QPR for sometime, but are now back at their home for 111 years: Craven Cottage which was totally rebuilt to a capacity of 22,000. Plans are in motion though to expand up to 30,000, the only problem being financial - the cost is estimated to be at around £100mn, but the team is still committed to expansion.


West Ham
Possibly one of the best youth generating clubs around in English football, practically a quarter of the English Squad have roots in West Ham. Yet the team was relegated to the Championship last year, but hope remains with a Play-Off which could see them rise back up into the Premiership if they continue to play their current cards right! Until then, the plans to extend the Bobby Moore & Centenary Stand and re-build the East Stand are on-hold. Capacity would rise to 40,500


Brentford
Located in League One (technically the third league, after the Premiership and Championship), Griffin Park has a capacity currently of 12,763. They are currently within a short distance of being promoted into the second division of the English football leagues (The Championship). The team have big plans and stated that in November 2002, that they would sell the current stadium and build a new Griffin Park with nearly double the capacity of the current ground: 25,000. Planning permission is being sought for this. Then again anything is possible - Milton Keynes Don's are already building a stupidly large 30,000 all-seater + all-covered stadium and are ranked 64th in England interms of league position!




Wembley Stadium

Pictures from www.stadtionwelt.de from the 6th May 2005.


http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/100.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/110.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/120.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/130.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/140.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/150.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/160.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/170.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/180.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/190.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/200.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/210.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/220.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/230.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/240.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/250.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/260.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/270.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/neubau/fotos/wembley/20050506/280.jpg




Emirates Stadium

Panorama of the Emirates Stadium

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/carlspannard/arsenal.jpg

[MadGerald]

Tottenham simply do not have the funds (even though they have by far the largest fan support base in London and its metropolitan area than any other football team) to move to a whole new stadium. They did once have a plan to rent out the new Wembley Stadium - but that would be sacrilege and simply would never happen!

However recent developments have come to my attention that Tottenham are pursuing to redevelop the West Stand, so that the stadium would have a seating capacity of around 50,000. As such news is fresh, there are as of yet no images detailing the new stand, but the design is expected to be semi-circular in design to get as much use out of the land


Expansion of Tottenham's White Hart Lane stadium is well overdue. Afterall they have the 2nd largest fanbase in London after Arsenal and are a much bigger club than Chelsea.

[Skyhiatrist]

Fantastic thread!!!!!

With all of this stadia construction happening in London, it gives London a sort of advantage for venues readily available for the 2012 Olympics.

I've always been fascinated with the new stadia designs of Europe and how much I would wish someone here in the US would adopt that kind of design especially the Emirates Stadium. By just looking at the illustrations, the sight lines are magnificent. Seems like the newer NFL Stadiums now a days have the same or almost similar design, hopefully the new Dallas Cowboys proposed stadium mirrors the European look and will set a new standard for US built stadiums.

[Owlhorn]

I hope it doesn't. US stadium bowls maintain a uniqueness to each other, and most have great sightlines. On SSC, I am doing individual posts of each new NFL and MLB facility. Not only is there a greater variety in design, but the views are outstanding and in unique configurations. Places like Reliant, Qwest, Soldier Field, Ford Field or even the Linc, have incredible sightlines and do them all in different ways. The Jets, new Cardinals, new Colts and new Cowboys stadiums will only add to that legacy. I don't think enough of us appreciate the huge number of new, modern, unique stadiums that we have. And I didn't even mention the baseball stadiums yet.

[MadGerald]

Emirates Stadium May 3rd pics

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_14x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_8x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_7x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_5x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_3x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_1x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_2x.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Update


Aquatic Centre

The 20,000 capacity arena that will house the swimming events for the 2012 Olympic games has seen ground work begun. Construction is due to finish by 2007 and was designed by London based architect Zaha Hadid (who is also designing the masterplan for the New York 2012 Olympic bid). It will be located next door to the Stratford Interntaional Stations which will allow the 300kph Eurostar trains to take people from the Aquatic Centre to Paris in around 2hrs!


http://img249.echo.cx/img249/9313/aquaticcentreexterior3ze.jpg


http://img15.echo.cx/img15/1826/aquaticcentreinterior1ud.jpg






MadGerald - Good pictures. Its amazing that all these projects will be completed on time (what with the Heathrow Terminal 5 and Channel Tunnel Rail Link also vying for attention within London)!

[eddyk]

Wow! With all of those stadiums and arenas, London must LOVE it's sports!

Its not as if the city of london is paying for them!

All different companies have/will pay most of the costs!


P.S
I like the placement of the club shop at the emirates!

[nick_taylor]

Around the Rings Olympics Bid Power Index

http://www.aroundtherings.com/images/uploaded/pi0509052.jpg



Curently its a two horse race between London and Paris in who will probably get the 2012 Olympic Games. Madrid and New York lag significantly behind and Moscow is even further behind.

[nick_taylor]

Update






Wembley Stadium


Work is on progress for completition of Wembley: the world's largest football stadium by Spring 2006. External cladding is starting to go up, seats put in place and the 11 acre roof is bring raised!!!


http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/11A2FCAA-3304-4F86-BB8B-AE7B49458330/57969/constructionApril500x334.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/0EF7E815-92EA-401A-AA58-B86559DEE67B/57967/seats500x334.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/8D4EE295-D84C-4971-B9A5-AAC6256A3B9D/57778/05042910_239.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/D2843812-0E1B-4EDF-B2F5-555181DE6773/57766/05042910_309.jpg

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http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/AFD9D2CD-7A52-4C8C-A9A1-D556229269A4/57739/05042910_044.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/F472B9E2-1721-4C25-A1C0-3D62A21D06DE/57734/100_0951_small.JPG






View of the stadium from Central London (City of Westminster to be precise)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/zapotek/wembleyfromwestminster2april2005.jpg






Article sourced by lyonsdown from the UK & Ireland sub-forum on SCC


The Telegraph

Wembley Stadium Special Report

Football's coming home to a place of spectacular beauty
By Brian Stater
(Filed: 04/04/2005)


When Football's Coming Home became the anthem for Euro 96, it was precisely 10 years ahead of its time. We didn't know it then, but we do now.
Wembley
New dawn: Wembley will offer spectators improved facilities in a state of the art stadium

Home, in 1996, was Wembley. A crumbling old pile that was unworthy of the events it staged. In 2006, home will again be Wembley, a new arrival which already makes the old ground look like a bicycle shed.

As the stadium rises, it is clear that what used to be called the people's game has found a people's palace.

The impression begins when a visitor emerges from the Underground. The first sight, on the pilgrims' progress which tens of thousands of fans will make to the ground, is of the arch which frames the stadium like a rainbow.

This vast structure has the dip and curve of a David Beckham free kick and is already recognised around the world as the architectural signature of the new Wembley.

Under the arch stands the bowl of the huge stadium, which is being clad in a sleek skin of glass, aluminium and stainless steel. Inside, the fans enter a concourse that leads right around the stadium. From here, they find the lifts and escalators that send them up and on towards the first electrifying glimpse of the arena.

To stand here is to be convinced that Wembley will be regarded by historians as the first English cathedral of the 21st century.

Below is the pitch area, the focus of 90,000 seats. Soaring 133 metres above it is the arch, the single feature which unlocked the ambition of faultless sightlines with reduced structure, and gave the building its unique character.

The arch bears most of the weight of Wembley's twin roofs, so clearing the way for those unparalleled views of the pitch below. The arch carries a mighty 7,000 tons and the roofs cover 11 acres. The roof on the south side of the stadium will slide open to admit sunlight and air to the pitch.

But Wembley is more than a football stadium. It will stage athletics, rock concerts and banqueting, so it also houses the four biggest restaurants in London.

The chief characters in this epic tale are the architects, Norman Foster and Rod Sheard, who have brought their respective practices into collaboration. Foster, who turns 70 in a few weeks, is without much doubt the most prolific and inventive architect of his generation. He runs his practice, Foster and Partners, from a giant London office - at the last count he had a staff of 500 - and since coming to public attention in 1964 he has built a seemingly endless list of elegant structures.

He believes that the classic materials of modernism - steel, concrete and glass - can be both bold and beautiful and he continually explores the very limits of their suppleness and strength.

Foster also believes that brave new architecture can learn from and enhance the best of the past.

All these qualities are evident in a list of buildings which range from the Great Court at the British Museum, to the startling and popular "Gherkin" in the City of London, and the Millau Viaduct, which strides across a 750-foot deep gorge in the south of France.

But nowhere, in the portfolio that also includes airports and factories, art galleries and Tube stations, will you find anything connected with sport. Until Wembley.

Foster said: "I have found this project immensely exciting. I can't pretend I'm a manic football fan, but if you are part of a big crowd, especially if it is an epic match, it can be an incredible experience. I've asked myself what is it that makes this experience? Clearly, a lot of it is about ritual. Much of it is about colour and acoustics. Then there is sound, and lighting. All of these add to the intensity of the experience."

England has waited a long time for architecture to discover sport. Wales has the hugely popular Millennium Stadium, by Rod Sheard, Foster's collaborator. Scotland has a new Hampden Park and a rebuilt Murrayfield.

True, England has Twickenham, spectacularly rebuilt by the Rugby Football Union, though even the most ardent rugby fans have been heard to complain that in its giant stands they feel isolated from the drama. Then there is Lord's, but this is not so much a single cricket ground as a string of architectural pearls - the pavilion, Mound Stand, media centre and Grand Stand - arranged around the boundary. But Wembley is the real deal. A true architectural celebration of a national obsession.

Foster added: "There is tremendous pride in football in this country. A huge sense of national identity comes from it. There is no hesitation whatsoever in getting behind and backing the national team. But there has been some hesitation and some difficulty in accepting that we can have and should have the best football stadium in the world. Because that's what we'll have, at Wembley."

"Wembley is a first in all kinds of ways. The new ground will be unique. At 90,000 all-seater capacity, it will be the largest stadium in the world which has a roof over every seat. And with its capacity for rock concerts and with its huge catering facilities it provides entertainment beyond any previous scale."

For Foster, Wembley is a first. But for Sheard, this is the latest in a long line of sports architecture. He is 54, was born and educated in Australia and his firm, HOK, are involved in just about every major development in the field.

Sheard built the Sydney Olympic Stadium, Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the Reebok in Bolton and made his mark with Huddersfield Town's new ground, in 1996. This won him Britain's Building of the Year award and alerted a sceptical profession that football grounds need not be corrugated sheds.

In addition to Wembley, he has Arsenal's Ashburton Grove coming out of the ground and his firm are designing Wimbledon's new Centre Court. Sheard said: "It's the size which is the most extraordinary thing about Wembley, along with the arch. In terms of its floor area and facilities, this ground is going to be much, much bigger than anything, anywhere. And the arch . . . well, that just hits you in the heart. It has given me intense enthusiasm and passion. Once it was up, it gave the whole project an enormous boost. Seeing it there gave us all the enthusiasm to work the extra hours to solve the other problems as they came along."

Now, the problems are mostly solved and the stadium has already taken its final shape. But Sheard insists he won't regard his work as finished "until the public have walked through the door. That's the moment it becomes a building."

So, will he and Foster be there to see that happen? Sheard says he'll not only be there, but rather hoping Arsenal will be too. And Foster? "You bet I'll be there," he laughs. "Just try keeping me away."

So when Saturday comes next spring, when the band play and the crowd sing and the heart of this great building at last begins to beat, the game which means so much in English life will have a worthy stage. It's not long now. Football's coming home






The Oval


Expansion to a capacity of 23,000 is progressing well!


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http://img273.echo.cx/img273/7112/00033kr.jpg






The Valley

Construction should start soon on the Valley (current all seater capacity of 27,116) to above 31,000 and then to 40,000 once the former expansion is complete. Here is an image of the 40,000 capacity 'The Valley' stadium once fully expanded by around 2010.

http://www.cafc.co.uk/uploads/charlton21522news2.jpg






Emirates Stadium

This 60,000 stadium should be completed at around the same time as the new Wembley in Spring 2006. Pictures from 3rd May.

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_3x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_4x.jpg

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http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates05052005_1x.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Update




Emirates Stadium

Pictures from the 11th of May. External cladding rising as are the related residential projects that have helped to finance the construction of the stadium.

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates250505_9x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates250505_1x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates250505_4x.jpg

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http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates250505_7x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates250505_8x.jpg[/QUOTE]

[nick_taylor]

Update




Wembley

Today marks exactly one year till the new Wembley Stadium shall be completed. Hopefully it would be host to the Champions League Final in 2008 after Paris and Athens! The stadium will also be used as part of the 2012 Olympic Games.




Millennium Dome Arena (new offical name: O2 Arena)

Construction started with what will become the world's largest in-door arena (capacity of 26,000) not so long ago, yet actual images have been hard to come by simply because of its encasement: the actual Millennium Dome! This is good news for the London Olympic bid as it only means that London has to build the actual 80,000 stadium to go with the current 80,000 stadia being built and expanded (Wembley - 90,000 + Twickenham -82,500)! The Dome would be used for events such as badminton, basketball and gymnastics....the world's largest arena for the worlds largest athletics meeting! Nonetheless, new images have been released and also its name: the 02 Arena.

http://img123.echo.cx/img123/3499/dome29pm.jpg

[JBinCalgary]

awesome

[nick_taylor]

Dubai builds towers, London builds stadiums :laugh:

[nick_taylor]

UPDATE




Wembley


http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/3D063639-718D-4D2D-A5F9-EC38477424F5/59389/dawn565x369.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/3D89B54F-BCE8-4439-AC60-EB7D0F72F819/59391/approach512x372.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/FAE10E4C-A29F-4243-B21A-FFD23CF74A3E/59396/elvin630x420.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/A2125B1D-0A6C-42FA-BA56-9D1ECAC3A0ED/59398/cladding630x420.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/B3EE7DAD-A5E0-48AC-8696-3C5C8058B93E/59401/inside630x420.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/0C47718A-9181-4E9A-B21A-D1715FDB764E/59403/aerial640x412.jpg




Emirates Stadium


http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates08062005_1x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates08062005_2x.jpg

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http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates08062005_7x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates08062005_8x.jpg




Vauxhall End Redevelopment at The Oval


Finished at last on the 31st May, 2005, the new Vauxhall End is one of the most modern cricket oval stands on the planet with all the modern facilities that would be expected.

Below is a picture of what the view from the centre of the old Vauxhall End used to be like:
http://www.pbase.com/image/21309761.jpg


A view of the ancient Pavillion - The Oval is one of the oldest sports grounds on the planet with a ripe old age of 160. Lords which is also in London is the larger and more known cricket ground (north of the Thames) with a larger capacity of 28,000 and is even older: 191 years old!
http://www.pbase.com/image/41148450.JPG


The latest view of the new Vauxhall End at The Oval (with a new capacity of 23,000 - was previously 18,500):
http://img273.echo.cx/img273/7111/00020ed.jpg


The new Oval has been designed so that it can be easily expanded with add-on tiers. I believe with the add-ons (due to the increasing popularity of cricket amongst the native population and the fan-base from the ever-growing immigrant communities in London), that the capacity of The Oval could expand to around 45,000 without any serious reconstruction work. Pictures of the new Vauxhall End in-use will be coming soon!!! This stadium though even with a new capacity of 23,000 will be out of all the stadiums built, being expanded, u/c or approved will only be the 14th largest city in London!!!

[nick_taylor]

Update




Emirates Stadium

Notice in the first picture the current home of Arsenal: Highbury Stadium (which has a capacity of 38,500) compared to their new Emirates Stadium location which has a capacity of 60,000.

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09062005_1x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09062005_2x.jpg

[eddyk]

I hope cricket does become more popular here at the Brit Oval...


although im adement bigger isnt better....I do wish the Brit Oval had a larger capacity.

Great design.

[nick_taylor]

UPDATE




Emirates Stadium


May 30th Pictures from www.Wikipedia.org

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/800px-Emirates_Stadium_under_construction.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/800px-Emirates_Stadium_03.jpg


June 8th Pictures from www.albiontillwedie.co.uk


http://webzoom.freewebs.com/boingboingbaggies/photoarchive/photofeature/images/full/emiratesstadiumjune05/13.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/boingboingbaggies/photoarchive/photofeature/images/full/emiratesstadiumjune05/12.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/boingboingbaggies/photoarchive/photofeature/images/full/emiratesstadiumjune05/11.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/boingboingbaggies/photoarchive/photofeature/images/full/emiratesstadiumjune05/10.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/boingboingbaggies/photoarchive/photofeature/images/full/emiratesstadiumjune05/9.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/boingboingbaggies/photoarchive/photofeature/images/full/emiratesstadiumjune05/8.jpg

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http://webzoom.freewebs.com/boingboingbaggies/photoarchive/photofeature/images/full/emiratesstadiumjune05/2.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/boingboingbaggies/photoarchive/photofeature/images/full/emiratesstadiumjune05/1.jpg

[eddyk]

and I see you used my little Dome area compilation (sp?)

[eddyk]

Nick...

I've seen you use the ' 26,000 Worlds Largest Arena' thing many times on this forum and SSC.

Yep, It will be the worlds largest Arena in building size...But not in Capacity.

Many sources did say the capacity was 26,000, but Emporis and the Official Arena site now say 23,000

It will be the largest arena capacity wise in europe...and have over 3000 more seats than Madison Square Garden.


Anyone know what the largest arena in the USA is...fixed seats only.

[nick_taylor]

eddyk - I swear that figure keeps going up and down. A year ago it was 26,000 and other sources claimed it to be 22,000. Need to get the planning application to actually know for definate what its capacity will be....




Update - Wembley Stadium




Movable views from two locations within the new Wembley:
- View from the seats on the upper, northern side of the Stadium
- A view from the lower, southern side of the Stadium

http://www.wembleystadium.com/brilliantfuture/wembley_today/360degreeInteractiveViews/June2005/default.htm




The following pictures and text are from Peyre from SCC:



The Home of Football, in the distance. Snapped from Northwick Park Station (Met Line)

http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pics/London/26th/cimg1667copy.jpg

We love sport we do, and gals.....

http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pics/London/26th/cimg1661copy.jpg

http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pics/London/26th/cimg1656copy.jpg

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http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pics/London/26th/cimg1644copy.jpg

Wembley Market on Sundays

http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pics/London/26th/cimg1629copy.jpg

http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pics/London/26th/CIMG1628copybw.jpg

http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pics/London/26th/cimg1627copy.jpg

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http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pics/London/26th/cimg1633copy.jpg







London Olympic 2012



Videos of Stadia and Arenas:
http://www.thenewsmarket.com/CustomLink/StoryDetailsEx.aspx?GUID=ff0a011e-bacc-4306-952d-335879874b90&CustomPage=1&ParentGUID=f6e4c4a1-13d3-4221-81eb-40769ceca5fe



http://www.london2012.org/NR/rdonlyres/91981AA5-34E7-49B9-B6D1-C7675DB2E3BD/0/BeachVolleyball.jpg

http://www.london2012.com/NR/rdonlyres/415EA1CE-0E49-413B-BD4D-AEC86CA23115/0/AquaticsCentre.jpg

http://www.london2012.com/NR/rdonlyres/284D07FE-DFD8-49C3-AE56-207764BF9D56/0/Stadiumconcourse.jpg

http://www.london2012.com/NR/rdonlyres/D4B91440-97B4-4CF5-878A-6A1597FF3774/0/StadiuminGamesmode.jpg

http://www.london2012.com/NR/rdonlyres/D4270B58-3F6B-4531-B996-474F3E7B0626/0/ViewfromtheRoyalBox.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/sport/olympics/images/olympic_venues.jpg



The London 2012 Olympic Park



http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/facilities.jpg

[Jonovision]

So what occupies that site now?

[nick_taylor]

Currently that part of London, called Stratford is an indusrial wasteland of old railway depots and freight yards.


http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/hackneymarsh.jpg


The site is currently being redeveloped in a massive program split into three areas:
- Stratford International Station; an immense 1km long station will be sunk into a trench where 300kph Eurostar trains will service this area of London, the train journey time to Paris and Brussels from Stratfordwill be 2hrs. To be completed in 2008.
- Stratford City; Totally new city quarter of hundreds of buildings, several dozen above 12 storeys and a few options for 150m+ and/or 200m+ towers.
- Olympic Park; Speaks for itself - a large area combining not only the main stadium, via various other arenas....some (eg Aquatic Centre + Hockey Stadiums) are under construction at this moment


In this plan you get a clearer view of what it will look like. The station is the long line going right-left towards the centre of the image. Stratford City is the tear drop (and the square bulge to the north that will become the Olympic Village for athletes and officials) that surrounds the 1km station trench and the Olympic Park is all viewable in colour. The large strips running through the park are immense public paths to allow high volumes of walking traffic to radiate to all transport nodes and stadiums with ease. After the Olympics, the area will see these paths go and a whopping 800acre park will be created....Central Park for comparison is 843acres and it will be the largest urban park created in Europe for some 100 years.

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/Illustrative_Olympic_Masterplan_20050526104904.jpg

[Jonovision]

Awesome plan. Thanks for the info.

[AJphx]

wow, the millenium dome arena looks like it will have an awesome interior.

[nick_taylor]

Well it looks like a few more stadia and arenas are going to be built in London then!


Another 80,000 seater capacity by 2012 will mean London will have 3 stadiums above 80,000 (Wembley, Twickenham and the 2012 Olympic Stadium), more than most countries and definately more than any other city on the planet. The Captial of Stadium and Sports for sure!


....Gustav Holst's Jupiter anyone.... :D

[eddyk]

They showed Lower Lee Valley on CNN....there is really alot of work currently going on there.


Twickenham...

The South Stand will be Demolished SUNDAY!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/4649445.stm

2007 will be a good year for London stadia....this, the Dome the Aquatics centre and the Veledrome all should be completed it 2007

[Mokita]

nick_taylor: Thank for all thoses infos and congratulation for London 2012.

[eddyk]

Oh and thr redevelopment of The Valley was approved a few days ago.

[igzaklee]

go London!! :D


does Twickenham play a role in the 2012 Olympics??

[nick_taylor]

go London!! :D


does Twickenham play a role in the 2012 Olympics?? Sorry for the slow response - kinda been awkward since a certain 'incident' impeded my life at London Liverpool Street station yesterday, but business as usual!


Twickenham will be upgraded fully to 82,000 capacity before the 2012 Olympics (demolition of the old stand is beginning I do believe at this very second), but even though it will have a larger capacity than the actual Olympic Stadium....it will not play a role in the Olympics. Although with baseball and softball knocked out of the Olympics for 2012, rugby could enter (its the third most played sport after football and cricket) and Twickenham could play a role.


A look at London 2012 Olympic Venues can be viewed here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/bidding_guide/4608029.stm


Wembley at a whopping 90,000 capacity though will hold football (As will other football stadiums in the UK). Another fact about Wembley not mentioned yet, is that its so large, that it will hold London's 4 largest restaurants.

[Owlhorn]

How does Rugby translate to such a short event? Its not like baseball or softball that could be played twice a day, every day if it had to.

[eddyk]

Not enough energy in the human body...

Rugby is next to only boxing for physical demand.

And boxing matches are once every few months.

[Grumpy]

doesn't surprise me at all that London got the Olympics , defenatly the sports capitol of Europe !!

what an impressive thread , thanks

[nick_taylor]

^^ Sports capital of Europe - sports capital of the world more like ;)

[eddyk]

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates11072005_25.jpg
http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates11072005_20.jpg
http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates11072005_24.jpg
http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates11072005_06.jpg

Im surprised they havnt started putting the seats in yet.

Mind you they are all cushioned, maybe they want the roof finished first to protect them.

I also think the stadium will be finished long before the 2006/2007 season starts.

[nick_taylor]

Are all the seats in the new Emirates going to be actual cushioned seats or will these be for the season ticket holders?

[Owlhorn]

Sports Capital of a lot of the old British Empire.

As for sports like Rugby, American football becoming Olympic, they'd have to play like half or 1/3 of a game the way that boxing is reduced to 3 rounds. Though Europe doesn't seem to like softball and baseball, they are very popular in the Americas, Australia and eastern Asia. They are very conducive of being played multiple times in a short period. Perfect for Olympic competition. Will be interesting to see who wins the Baseball World Cup next year. I'd go with the Dominican Republic. That is a true all-star team.

[nick_taylor]

!!!!UPDATE!!!!




Wembley


http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/1739C3CC-3028-4384-96F9-46912C9230FC/61139/8_Aerial.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/5A121231-C57E-4FEF-94C0-819F19345F28/61127/2_External1.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/97334087-27E1-4DD3-9E21-CEE0C49BCEE2/61138/archLit.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/E2DD6FFD-FD04-4BA4-97AA-6E298F8D95A1/61135/6_Seats.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/D85A9FBB-70B4-4085-9D77-2D9DE356F31C/61133/5_Roof.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/1F95058F-A134-48A2-A02D-6C3BCA7B5A6F/61132/4_FasciaCloseUp1.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/912422A6-BB8C-42BC-A72C-0B08C11BF73F/61129/3_FasciaArch1.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/90230EE1-3F3E-45D0-88F2-C89FD53B1EFC/61125/1_pitchArea1.jpg




Not long to go now :D








Owlhorn - One of the better legacies of the British Empire I might add was indeed football, rugby, hockey, cricket, golf, tennis, etc... Then again other nations have adopted these sports. China's favourite sport is now football (overtaking ping-pong/table tennis around 6 years ago), then you have Brazil and Argentina - two countries with some of the most immense football histories of any nation around but they were not British colonies (although Britain did influence them at one time or another). In these countries people have committed suicide (famously several people did so when Brazil lost at home in the Maracana). If you go to South + Central America, Europe, Asia and Africa the majority of countries will support one dominant sport: football. Cricket is the 2nd most played sport in the world and this is mainly due to it being the dominant sport in old British India (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh), Australia, various African countries and amongst the islands in the Caribbean.

In the US the preferred sport to play if your female is football (soccer) and the fastest growing male sport is none other than football. Also to add to the debate we are having here, baseball is a spur sport from cricket and rounders (both invented in the UK), American Football is a spin-off/reaction to rugby (also invented in the UK) and ice hockey too is a spin off from traditional hockey played on grass (also a game invented in the UK).

Sports invented in the UK simply don't just dominate former colonies, they dominate other countries that Britain had very little influence over (eg China, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, Turkey, etc) when compared to say Australia, India, South Africa, etc... I also believe FIFA estimated that within 15 years football would be the dominant sport in the US. London just so happens to be at the crossroads of most of these sports in terms of history and stadiums - more so than any other city in the world. New York for instance by 2012 will have only 3 stadiums and arenas above 20,000 all-seating.....London will have 15 stadiums and arenas above 20,000 all-seating, including 3 80,000+ stadiums. No other city on the planet has the history, the sporting legacy, the impact on global sport and the stadium capacity that London has and continues to expand on.

[eddyk]

Are all the seats in the new Emirates going to be actual cushioned seats or will these be for the season ticket holders?


All 60,000 seats will be cushioned.

Here is a small pic of one
http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/s_story_seat.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/emiratesstadium/article.asp?article=264266&Title=Take+a+seat+above+the+rest&lid=the+stadium+-+Latest+News
Info on the seats...and two more pics.



Twickenham Redevelopment

Twickenham's South Stand was demolished on Sunday as part of a rebuilding scheme to increase the stadium's capacity to around 82,000.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/4649445.stm


http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/design.cfm
Much much info on the redevelopment....including detailed Diagrams.

http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/furniture/ssd.gif

[nick_taylor]

What other stadiums have all padded seating????

[eddyk]

I cant think of any.

Its the only one in the UK.


I would guess is the biggest stadium in the world with padded seating...60,000 padded seats.

Maybe be some smaller stadiums around.

[nick_taylor]

So London could possibly have the world's largest comfortable seated stadium :laugh:

[MadGerald]

Im surprised they havnt started putting the seats in yet.



They will start putting the seats in from October. They will all be in by the end of Spring 2006.

[eddyk]

Twickenham South Stand Renders...


http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/furniture/Stadium_Bowl_Persp.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/furniture/South_East_Persp.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/furniture/South_West_Persp.jpg

[nick_taylor]

This is good news that work has started - the increase might only be 7,000 seats, but the entire stand is going and being replaced by this massive extension. London's 3rd 80,000 all-seater stadium!

[eddyk]

A video of it being demolished...

http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s98/st77090.htm

also some pics.

Very cool

[nick_taylor]

82,000 here we come!!! I liked the video, never seen them do something like that before as usually in the UK they would have taken it down peice by peice.


http://www.sportnetwork.net/mainadmin/img/981121298047.jpg


http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/furniture/Stadium_Bowl_Persp.jpg




And is it me, but on the score board do I notice England winning against France :laugh:

[nick_taylor]

Update




Ashburton Stadium


July 2005 Pictures


http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_1x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_8x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_7x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_6x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_5x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_4x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_3x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_2x.jpg








The Oval


Picture showing the new Vauxhall End of the historic Oval in use - the capacity of the ground is now 23,000.


http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/53227310.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE9A21091711E5AD1ED22143DD1FBF1F227757C85AE85A779B

[nick_taylor]

Update




Ashburton Stadium


July 2005 Pictures


http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_1x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_8x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_7x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_6x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_5x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_4x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_3x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates18072005_2x.jpg








The Oval


Picture showing the new Vauxhall End of the historic Oval in use - the capacity of the ground is now 23,000.


http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/53227310.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE9A21091711E5AD1ED22143DD1FBF1F227757C85AE85A779B

[eddyk]

http://commissionair.co.uk/wembley/Wembley220705large.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Excellent picture there - the expansion projects on the three stations that seve the stadium are all being totally rebuilt and expanded
- Wembley Stadium Station(Chiltern Railways)
- Wembley Park Station (Metropolitan and Jubilee LU Lines)
- Wembley Central Station (Bakerloo LU Line, Silverlink and Southern Railways)

The area also around the stadium will all vanish, bar the Wembley Arena (building to the right of the red/black +white building) which is a 71 year old concert arena built in the art-deco style for the massive Wembley Redevelopment. On a connected note Wembley Arena is currently being modernised and cleaned. The temporary Wembley Arena is in a large tent which can be seen in the above picture as the structure to the right of the image.


http://www.new-wembley.com/popup/proposal/aerial-dusk.jpg

http://www.new-wembley.com/popup/design/Boulevard-Day.jpg

http://www.new-wembley.com/popup/design/PiazzaView.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Update




Wembley




MP for Brent South Dawn Butler visited the Stadium on Thursday 28th July. She said "The Stadium looks great. People I have spoken to in the constituency are really excited about the Stadium."
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/4DDBBAA3-38E9-47EF-A32C-B1DD7261C92A/62965/DAWNbig.jpg


View of the Arch from outside the Eastern side of the stadium. Two of the five temporary restraining cables that support the weight of the Arch are visible to the top left of the picture - these will be removed in stages as the roof structure is completed.
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/ED6D8483-BA0E-41B4-B69D-1988372658D6/62961/image4big.jpg


Combination of aluminium and glass cladding on the Eastern side of the Stadium. The external cranes are being used to raise the upper concourse level roofing into position, and the pre-fabricated terracing to within the Stadium bowl.
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/D38CDC8E-0B95-410F-AAD8-9ADD42512442/62954/image2big.jpg


An extenal view of the West side of the Stadium. It is possible to see the Southern roof taking shape on the right-hand side of this photograph.
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/4B70D027-753E-4B34-A24B-CB8199B0A402/62952/image1big.jpg


Construction of the sliding roof has begun and is designed to allow maximum light and ventilation to the famous Wembley turf. In its retracted position the roof will also provide clear television pictures, uninterrupted by heavy shadows. The roof will be left open between events, but can be moved to line up with the touchline within 15 minutes, ensuring that every spectator can be sheltered during events, leaving the playing area uncovered.
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/D84B7F2C-617E-463D-A165-671568BBA709/62969/image7big.jpg


An aerial view of the Stadium
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/C86271A2-050C-44A6-A318-BE3D35F74E6F/62967/image6big.jpg


A view of the pitch and seating tiers from inside the Stadium. There are now approximately 20,000 seats in place.
http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/278E4E4F-0E54-4D24-B805-09BAF9CCDA29/62958/image3big.jpg








[b]Emirates Stadium




http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/DSC02763a.jpg


http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/DSC02769a.jpg

http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/DSC02766a.jpg


http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/DSC02762a.jpg


http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/tunnel.jpg

[eddyk]

http://archive.sportenglandpublications.org.uk/images/wembley/wembley_athletics.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/manicants2005/wembleymodel200.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/manicants2005/wemroof1.bmp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1720000/images/_1721243_wembley300_afp.jpg

http://img259.echo.cx/img259/4750/wembleybigdevelopment3mq.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img259.echo.cx/img259/6687/wembleycomplex9ez.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

[nick_taylor]

Ascot Racecourse - 80,000 capacity, U/C, due Summer 2006




http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/redevelopment-big.jpg




Ascot Racecourse closed for 20 months at the end of September 2004 to embark on the main building phase of its £185 million redevelopment programme, the most extensive project of its type ever seen in Europe.

The focal point of the new designs is undoubtedly the new stand itself, with an internal naturally lit galleria, bringing daylight into a covered public concourse, which will provide an even-tempered environmental shelter at the heart of the building. Above the galleria, an innovative lightweight parasol roof structure, designed to replicate in architectural form the natural tree lining in which the racecourse lies, will become the defining structure of the grandstand.

The redevelopment will see a realignment of the track. The straight mile will move 42 metres north of its current location and the new stand will be built further away from Ascot’s High Street, thereby creating more space and ease of movement between the entrance gates and the stand.

Maximum capacity will remain as it is now, at 80,000, with a new Parade Ring located behind the stands, ensuring that it is easier to reach for many more people. The pre-parade ring and saddling boxes will be re-sited in and around the historic totalisator building, their original location, overlooking the current paddock lawns, which will remain as they are now. The totalisator building, along with much of the outer red brick walls and the Grade II Listed buildings on the perimeter of the site, will form a backdrop to the lawns with which Ascot, specifically Royal Ascot, is synonymous.

The new designs are the work of HOK Sport+Venue+Event, led by Rod Sheard, which numbers the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and Stadium Australia, spectacular home to the 2000 Olympic Games, among their recent developments. They are currently also involved with the new Wembley and Arsenal projects and the retractable Centre Court roof at Wimbledon.




Ascot is a racecourse stepped in history. It was founded back in 1711 and it is now a public racecourse. The course before the redevelopment was host to some 25 racedays each year. It is most famous though for Royal Ascot - the most celebrated, watched and betted race day on the planet. Royal Ascot is also the most attended European race meeting. The current racecourse is closed and races have been distributed to the other racecourses in the country (Royal York hosting Royal Ascot this year). Its completition will make it the most advanced and modern racecourse in existance. It is located just outside London to the west (and just south of Windsor - the Queen's official residence), it is located under the main departure/approach into/out of London Heathrow Airport.




Ascot is famous for its high-class where anyone shows off. Sometimes the dresses and hats actually seem more important than the actual races!
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ascot_fashion_020620_126.jpghttp://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ascot_fashion_020619_08.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ascot_fashion_030619_248.jpghttp://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ascot_fashion_miss_world.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ascot_fashion_020618_45.jpghttp://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ascot_fashion_030617_02.jpg


Royal Ascot is attended by the Queen
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/procession_030618_14.jpghttp://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/procession_990616_08.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/procession_000623_1213.jpg




Construction History

October 2004
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/first_crane.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/south_side.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ascot_bells1.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ascot_clock.jpg


November 2004
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/steppings_demolished.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/goliath_attacks.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/macgee_machine.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/stand_divided.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/realignement_racecourse.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/gargoyle_removed.jpg


December 2004
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/berry_bar.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/night_work.jpg


January 2005
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ground_prepared.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/first_core_prep.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/demo_final_grandstand.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/ground_prep.jpg


February 2005
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/building_southside_050330.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/westend_view_050330.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/newstraightmile_050330.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/firstrooftrusses_050330.jpg


March 2005
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/Straight_Mile_0405.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/Grandstand_from_South_0405.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/Grandstand_from_North_0405.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/Winkfield_Road_underpass.jpg


April 2005
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/View_from_the_West_0505.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/Newly_laid_turf_home_bend.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/Heath_Tunnel_Extension_0505.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/Roof_Prototype_0505.jpg


May 2005
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/instrunningrailscont_230505.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/paradetakesshape_230505.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/upperfloors_230505.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/winkfieldunderpass_230505.jpg


June & July 2005
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/tree_hoisted_080705.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/building_continues_june_080705.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/cranes_move_080705.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/main_cores_080705.jpg


August 2005
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/AR4_050615_1700.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/AR4_050627_1700.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/AR4_050705_0600.jpg
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/AR4_050713_0600.jpg




The Result come Summer 2006...
http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/redevelopment-big.jpg

[eddyk]

I didnt know that was UC, I knew it was planned...and its far ahead aswell.

[eddyk]

I made a Wembley stadium model.

One of my hobbies is making model stadiums out of bits a pieces found around the house.


http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/1404/wembleymymodel1ex.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Timeline

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/3406/wembleymymodel39bt.png (http://imageshack.us)
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/1035/wembleymymodel48kj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Finished stadium....with the retractable roof aswell.

[nick_taylor]

Just like every other week Dubai gets a 300m tower, every other week a new or expanded stadium plan seems to spring up in London! I can't think of any other city on the planet that seems to be either building or planning new, larger and more modern stadia than London.




New Crystal Palace Stadium




Ideas for Sport in the Park

Crystal Palace Park has a great sporting history and there is widespread support for continued sport in the park. However, the National Sports Centre (NSC) cannot continue to function without major works in the next 5–8 years.

The following pages show a series of studies for the major sports buildings and sports activities within the Crystal Palace Park. The study area is within the red line shown on the Park plan below, but also includes the central car-parking space just west of this area.

The first four studies shown, A–D, all retain the existing National Sports Centre building, with considerable refurbishment and improvements to its facilities. The upgrades would improve comfort, cut energy costs and – through the provision of lifts and ramps – make the facilities accessible to all users. However, re-engineering the current building will mean losing sports facilities for 18-24 months while works are carried out, and it will miss the opportunity to move the facilities closer to transport links.

Studies E and F involve creating a new sports building nearer Crystal Palace rail station. These studies would provide a modern, efficient building, using less space than the current centre, with improved access and security. Sports provision would carry on uninterrupted, although there would still be some disruption while the new centre was being built. Studies E and F would mean finding another use of the current Listed building or leave it facing full or partial demolition.

Funding is a vital issue in taking forward any of these ideas. It will be addressed later in the exhibition.

1 Metropolitan Open Land MDS boundary; 2 National Sports Centre building; 3 Concourse; 4 Sports buildings; 5 Jubilee Stand; 6 West Stand & terraces; 7 Hostel; 8 Residential; 9 Other buildings; 10 Central car parking zone
http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/sport.jpg




The National Sports Centre

The NSC has served as a sports centre for 40 years and was awarded Grade II* Listed status in 1997. The DCMS Listing incorporates the following description:

”…views across [the] concourse and seating, and down into squash areas, are particularly impressive. [The] fluidity is enhanced by the bold expression of the ’A’-frame and delicate arched bracing supporting the roof which is a most distinctive and distinguished feature.”

A refurbished centre would mostly retain the unique structure, but serious functional and cost issues would remain unresolved.
Problems with the existing building
* It is isolated within the middle of the Park, creating safety and security issues especially in the evenings when many people want to use it
* Current centre creates a physical barrier in the middle of the park
* Most car parking is away from the sports facilities
* Poor pedestrian access to and within the building, particularly for people with disabilities e.g. swimming changing rooms not at pool level
* Lack of dividing screen between wet and dry sports leading to poor conditions in each and under-use of squash courts
* Extensive clear glazing causes glare throughout sports centre
* Major mechanical and electrical systems need replacing
* Running costs are unsustainable at present

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/nsc_20040920150031.jpg




The internal environment

The main sports building was designed as one large space with ‘dry’ sports facilities on one side of the building and ‘wet’ (pool) facilities on the other, separated by a central gallery that leads to spectator seating.

There is no adequate temperature or noise separation between these areas, leading to high air temperatures and humidity in the gymnasium. An environmental dividing screen could be created by inserting glass screens within the A–frame structure. However this is costly and the centre would need to be closed during the installation.
The pool The pool

The existing 20m wide racing pool is too narrow for accredited competition. The dark blue areas show that there are significant structural issues involved with extending the pool in width.

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/swim.jpg




The sports centre site

The car parking around the NSC covers a large area, yet is fragmented into different parking zones and serves the buildings poorly. The low bridge and turnstiles from the railway station cause problems for emergency vehicles and force service vehicles through the middle of the Park.

The immediate area around the NSC building is cluttered by a collection of smaller buildings, detracting from the Listed building itself, reducing visibility and access across the Park and increasing security concerns.

Sports facilities mix

Following discussions with Sport England and user groups, it is suggested that a new centre may contain:
* Swimming pool – ideally international competition size
* Learning pool
* Spectator seating for the pool
* Sports Hall – to allow 8 x badminton courts or the equivalent
* 4-lane 70m indoor sprint track with run-off space
* Combat hall
* Boxing hall
* Weight lifting room
* 2 dance studios
* Health and fitness suite
* 4 five-a-side football pitches (outside)
* Outdoor track

It is assumed that diving is relocated to the Lower Lea Valley.

Our aspiration is that the sports facilities will be for the community but that they will also benefit elite and aspiring athletes.

Additional facilities

In addition to the above, the following range of facilities could also be considered to provide a balance to the recreational and community mix and generate more income for the development:
* Soft play zone
* Children’s gym
* Crèche
* Hairdressers
* Beauty Salon
* Doctor/Dentist surgery
* Sports science/visitor attraction/science museum
* Extreme sports (skateboarding/biking/ rock climbing etc.)
* Bar and multi-purpose function rooms
* Restaurant
* Sports education
* Sports injury clinic

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/Sports_facilities.jpg




Summary of sports studies

Summary of sports studies The studies are illustrative only and do not represent final schemes. All of these options would involve large capital costs.

Studies A–D marginally improve the revenue deficit position. Studies E and F much improve this situation but additional facilities may be required to achieve a revenue neutral position.

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/sports_studies.jpg




Study A

Study A: Refurbish existing building

Improve pedestrian access and upgrade indoor track. Increase pool size and keep training and diving pools. New changing facilities and a dividing screen to help control conditions inside the building.

Pros
* Minimum impact on Listed building
* New pools with a rooftop terrace to the south
* Restored original high–level entrance with new reception
* Keeps the diving facility

Cons
* Misses opportunity to provide new facilities
* Very little change with only minor upgrade to existing sports facilities
* Swimming pool still not to accredited standard
* Highest subsidy cost

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_a.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_a2.jpg


Study B

Swap wet & dry areas

New entrance with new indoor athletics area. Internal facilities re-arranged, with a new multi-purpose 8–court sports hall replacing the pool New 50x25m modern pool in the area of the existing sports hall. New changing facilities and a dividing screen between the pool and other areas to control internal conditions.

Pros
* Pool meets international competition size standards
* No construction outside the existing NSC building
* The new entrance improves the east–west connections in the park

Cons
* Less space in the sports hall, which would be long and thin and therefore not ideal
* Major remodelling required for the inside of the NSC, including new foundations for the pool
* No use for the Listed diving structure
* High construction cost

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_b.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_b2.jpg




Study C

New pool on west side of existing building

Demolish raised walkway and create new entrance, with reception area connecting all levels. New indoor athletics area. Pool replaced by new multi–purpose 8–court sports hall. New 50 x 25m pool building on the west side of the building.

Pros
* Pool size meets accredited competition size standards
* Provides extra facilities, giving the potential for more revenue
* The new entrance improves the connections in the park
* Straightforward separation of wet and dry areas
* Enhance current building

Cons
* Increases the area covered by the sports complex, although only below ground
* Listed diving structure redundant
* Limited headroom over new pool
* Listed chimney structure demolished

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_c.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_c2.jpg




Study D

New pool at north end of stadium

New swimming pool building between existing building and stadium. Demolish raised walkway, create new entrance and develop new indoor
athletics area. New reception area connecting all levels. Pool replaced by new multi-purpose 8–court sports hall.

Pros
* Pool meets international competition standards
* Provides extra facilities, giving the potential for more revenue
* The new entrance improves the access in the park
* Wet and dry areas are clearly separate
* Possibility of phasing works to enable continued swimming facilities, although this would extend construction time
* Reinforces the link with the athletics track

Cons
* Increases the area covered by the sports complex
* Would need new changing facilities, leading to redundant areas in the existing NSC
* Listed diving structure redundant
* Removes the existing hard court area next to the stadium
* This is likely to be the most costly option with little improvement in revenue
* Too much redundant space

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_d.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_d2.jpg




Study E

New sports centre near station

the area of park built on. Consolidates car parking and access roads. Demolish raised walkway and create new indoor athletics area with good links to stadium. NSC building either demolished or released for other uses.

Pros
* A modern, efficient building located nearer public transport and main roads
* Helps improve access and security
* Opens up centre of park or releases Listed building for other uses
* New building provides continuous provision of sports facilities during construction and maintains jobs
* Reduce area built on if NSC demolished

Cons
* Potential loss of Listed building
* Separating indoor sports centre and athletics track may hinder operational and coaching benefits of current NSC
* Extensive works while new facilities are being built

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_e.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_e2.jpg



Study F

Combined indoor/outdoor sports facility

New indoor sports facility near edge of park, integrated with existing athletics stadium. Consolidates car parking and access roads. Demolish raised walkway and create new indoor athletics area beneath west stand of stadium. NSC building either demolished or released for other uses.

Pros
* Uses space efficiently and cuts back the amount of space used
* Fully integrates Sports Centre, Stadium and Park Landscape, allowing better promotion of Crystal Palace as an International Sports Venue.
* Possibility to provide other sport and community uses, such as a health centre, creating more revenue
* New building provides continuous provision of sports facilities during construction and maintains jobs
* Located nearer public transport and roads with shorter access roads through Park
* Opens up centre of park or releases NSC for other uses.
* Holistic approach provides new vision for Crystal Palace and may attract other funding.

Cons
* Potential loss of Listed building
* Extensive works while new facilities are being built

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_f.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_f2.jpg




Another possibility?

Another possibility? It has been suggested that the entire sports facilities could be relocated to the top of the park to consolidate all sports development on a prominent urban site and free the middle of the park from development. The diagram illustrates the space that these facilities would occupy in this location.

We have not undertaken a study on this site for the following reasons.
* The large scale of an outdoor stadium would have a significant impact on the top of the park and there would be little space for car parking near to the facilities
* Major excavation of the remaining Crystal Palace foundations would be necessary to form the seating bowl and would need very high levels of capital investment to rebuild the existing stadium plus the indoor sports centre
* The light pollution from the stadium might be of concern to local residents
* The location would be remote from the existing Crystal Palace railway station, which is a key component of large events in the park

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/possibility.jpg

[Rambaldi]

Excellent thread, nick:cool:

and eddyk, that model of Wembley you made is awesome:laugh:

[MadGerald]

Latest Ashburton Grove/Emirates Stadium pics
http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_16x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_14x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_10x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_11x.jpg

More here.http://www.arsenal.com/emiratesstadium/article.asp?article=305823&Title=the%20stadium%20-%20Latest%20News

[eddyk]

That 1st pic is amazing ^^

[nick_taylor]

Update!!!!








Wembley Stadium

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/EA91183C-4B6F-4BA3-BADE-DABEB9D3F9F6/65866/1big.jpg http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/16504227-E8AA-4619-90FA-56D254B04B1B/65875/2big.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/A6F69956-F53B-4542-84B5-23DCFE24751D/65880/3big.jpg http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/3A78F3CB-4802-4FAC-8689-8DBFEDD797FA/65897/6big.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/27EDB676-F696-4815-B0BA-9C6EA3787F34/65902/8big.jpg http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/22E96EFD-6439-412D-B29D-1D977369BF6F/65900/7big.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/9F047719-4889-4142-A94D-9FF2B76F96DE/65891/5big.jpg http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/749D9D0C-141A-4D25-8A59-5925EA063932/65888/4big.jpg




Emirates Stadium

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_01x.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_02x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_03x.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_05x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_07x.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_08x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_10x.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_11x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_12x.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_13x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_14x.jpg http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_15x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates09092005_16x.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/emirates1.jpg




Ascot Racecourse

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/west_end_roof_0805.jpg

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/irrigation_pond_0805.jpg

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/straight_mile_0805.jpg

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/southside_parade_300805.jpg

[eddyk]

nevermind.

[eddyk]

http://icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk/t...-name_page.html

PLANS for a luxury hotel as part of The 02 development will be scuppered if the Government fails to award the scheme with a regional casino, says its owner.

Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) UK CEO and president David Campbell has admitted the 300-room hotel could be in doubt as part of a £500million plan to turn the former Millennium Dome into an entertainment hub.

He said: ``The two are completely connected; economically we need the two to work together. It is quite a risky venture to put a five-plus star hotel in this area if we don't have a casino.

The Mayor of London has publicly said there should be two casinos in London and if there is only one, this should be the site. I think missing out on a hotel will be a big loss.''


South African company Kerzner International would operate the O2's casino and resort-style hotel, designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership.

The Government is expected to announce the site of the country's super-casino at the end of 2006 as part of reforms to the Gambling Act, with Blackpool touted as a front-runnerThe O2 is part of a £2bn renegeration of the Greenwich Peninsula, from which the Government predicts it will recoup £550m for the public purse over the next 25 years.

Mr Campbell would not comment on how much the venue would generate in its first year of operation but said if the casino plans fell through it would not affect the viability of the scheme.

He added: ``The development will make a much better return overall with the casino but it can still stand on its own feet.''


In May, AEG announced a £6m a year deal with mobile phone company O2 to rebrand the Millennium Dome into an entertainment venue with a 23,000-seater indoor arena at its heart.


Greenwich Council gave outline planning permission for the project last Thursday, September 29, with the concrete core of the music arena near completion.

The first phase, to open in April 2007, will include the arena, cinemas, restaurants, an ice-rink, music club and 1,800-seat Las Vegas-style theatre.

[PA Pride]

That is ALOT of stadiums for one city!!

I like how Arsenals current stadium will be turned into apartments with a lovely garden thing in the middle. Very innovative and beautiful; And whoever lives there has a great story to tell to all the visitors of what his building used to be....

The olympic stadium is great too.... They all look pretty good, really.

I'm most suprised though at that huge development/construction site going on for the Olympic Complex; It looks like it's relatively close to Canary Wharf, so I'm suprised such a large parcel is still available for any kind of building, considering it's prime location...

[nick_taylor]

PA Pride: The majority of people who have already brought apartments in the Arsenal Stadium Redevelopment are either rich or dedicated Arsenal fans.


The site for the future Olympic Park is split up into four sections acros a massive site that is essentially a mix of contaminated industrial land, warehouses, small industrial units, an immense railway yard and depot. All is going and being replaced by:
- The Olympic Park: A new collection of buildings that will be at the core for the 2012 games!
- Olympic Park: Europe's largest urban park for over 100 years, it will be larger than Central Park.
- Stratford International Station: An immense 1km long station that will cater for 300kph 400m long passenger trains (2nd longest in the world behind only Shinkansens) into London and to the European continent. Train journey times to Central London: 5mins, to Central Paris: 2hrs.
- Stratford City: Immense new development that will take over 20 years to complete that will be the new home for thousands, develop into the third major retail centre of London (ie the new Kensington/Oxford Road) and in the process becoming the 4th major CBD for London. A few skyscrapers by Richard Rogers, multiple 50-100m towers and it will be the Olympic Village.

In the below picture you can see what is the Olympic Park. The actual park itself winds along the course of all the Olympic venues but also carries on north of the image. Stratford International Station is the immense 'cut' going right to left in the centre right of the image. Stratford City is the 'tear drop' surrounding the station, the section to the north in colour and parts to the right of the tear-drop. Stratford Station which is the station for the DLR, Central and Jubilee Underground Lines, Silverlink Metro and One Railway is the rectangular site to the bottom right of the tear-drop. It is only 3 stops to Canary Wharf on the Jubilee Line.

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/Illustrative_Olympic_Masterplan_20050526104904.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Ascot Racecourse, 80,000


http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/privatebox_1005.jpg

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/glazingsouth_1005.jpg

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/rooftruss_1005.jpg

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/glazingtruss_1005.jpg




Emirates Stadium, 60,000

http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/untitled5.JPG

http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/emirates%206%20October%202005.jpg

http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/DSC02987a.jpg

http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/DSC02988a.jpg

http://www.awimb.com/emAlbum/albums/Ashburton%20Grove/panorama.jpg




Wembley Stadium, 90,000


http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/17E4EFBF-D426-4A3C-9D5B-682B8D3DCB45/70206/Aerialbig.JPG

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/C48C2082-A922-4472-B988-5A986299BCF3/70215/Roofliftbig.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/B956CFAE-4632-4586-9FE9-ADB73CD81E97/70223/Stadiumbowlbig.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/B2FC90F6-7C73-45EF-BE65-710A03362862/70226/WembleyWaybig.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/148E421D-8ABD-462A-91E7-32E9BE5BBA71/70247/wnslbig.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/05B01DA5-0F38-46A7-A202-DCF397CDFBE8/70249/stadiumbowl3big.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/E206E32D-B7FB-460C-BE3B-903399730212/70209/Bridgebig.jpg

http://webcam.thefa.com/webcamarch.jpg

http://webcam.thefa.com/webcamnorth.jpg

http://webcam.thefa.com/webcamSouth.jpg

http://webcam.thefa.com/webcamhome.jpg

[eddyk]

Was just coming here to add those pics.


Keep up the good work Nick :)

[eddyk]

All taken in the last week, my various users on SSC.


http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pictures/Wembley/dscf1107copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/manicants2005/PICT0027.jpg

http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pictures/Wembley/dscf1066copy.jpg

[nick_taylor]

The King of all Stadiums rises!


http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pictures/Wembley/dscf1066copy.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Connected to the Olympics is this interesting project. It would be over 4x the size of Europe's current largest mosque, the Baitul Futuh in Morden (the article unfortunately states Surrey, its actually in the London Borough of Merton) which was only just opened in 2003!




Giant mosque for 40,000 may be built at London Olympics


A MASSIVE mosque that will hold 40,000 worshippers is being proposed beside the Olympic complex in London to be opened in time for the 2012 Games.

The project’s backers hope the mosque and its surrounding buildings would hold a total of 70,000 people, only 10,000 fewer than the Olympic stadium.
Its futuristic design features wind turbines instead of the traditional minarets, while a translucent latticed roof would replace the domes seen on most mosques. The complex is designed to become the “Muslim quarter” for the Games, acting as a hub for Islamic competitors and spectators.

“It will be something never seen before in this country. It is a mosque for the future as part of the British landscape,” said Abdul Khalique, a senior member of Tablighi Jamaat, a worldwide Islamic missionary group that is proposing the mosque as its new UK headquarters.

Tablighi Jamaat has come under scrutiny from western security agencies since 9/11. Two years ago, according to The New York Times, a senior FBI anti-terrorism official claimed it was a recruiting ground for Al-Qaeda. British police investigated a report that Mohammad Sidique Khan, leader of the July 7 London bombers, had attended its present headquarters in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. In August, Bavaria expelled three members of the organisation on the grounds that it promoted Islamic extremism.

Defenders of Tablighi Jamaat say that it is not political and confines itself to humanitarian work. It was founded in India under the British Raj and has many members in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The east London complex would have by far the largest capacity of any religious building in Britain. The biggest at present is the Baitul Futuh in Morden, Surrey, which holds about 10,000 worshippers. Liverpool’s Anglican cathedral, the largest Christian place of worship, has a capacity of 3,000.

The new building will be called the London Markaz (Arabic for centre) and will be built in place of an existing mosque on a 10-acre site 500 yards from the Olympic development.

The three-storey mosque will be designed to accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers. Its sweeping roof is intended to evoke tented cities.
The complex would include a garden, school, library and accommodation for visiting worshippers.

Islamic calligraphy would cover the walls and ceilings, the washing areas would have cascading water to mimic a stream, and the complex’s buildings would be adapted to allow extra worshippers during festivals such as Eid, accommodating a further 30,000 visitors.

Ali Mangera, the London and Barcelona-based architect who is designing the mosque, said: “People in this country build mosques with fake domes and plastic minarets to look like the mosques back home. Islam has traditionally been at the forefront of technology and change. The Markaz will reflect this. It will be more than a mosque. The whole idea behind it is to break down barriers.”

Mangera has previously worked with leading British architects including Zaha Hadid, designer of the Cardiff opera house. Mangera and Tablighi Jamaat are in negotiations with Newham council, the Greater London Authority and the Thames Gateway Development Corporation for planning permission.

Sunil Sahadevan, a planning officer at Newham council, said: “We are working towards the mosque application with the organisers and discussions are ongoing. The application will be finalised over the next year.”

It is estimated that the project would cost more than £100m and donations are being sought from Britain and abroad.

[Biff]

DAMN! that Wembley Stadium is one big sucker.:eek:

[nick_taylor]

Update




Ascot Racecourse


http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/granstandview_091105.jpg

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/rooftrusses_091105.jpg

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/paradestep_091105.jpg

http://www.ascot.co.uk/pages/popups/pictures/winkfield_091105.jpg

[nick_taylor]

Update




Wembley Stadium - New stadium: 90,000




http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/5EDC1B06-24C4-4A86-A1E6-7F285F3C5F5C/73929/293T3379_big.JPG http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/D4CC0379-2556-4C16-B419-85ECA8C68779/73924/pitchexcavation2_big.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/31A4506A-5267-428E-B2C0-5A81CEA3B4E1/73922/seats_big.jpg http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/091CB612-07A5-4701-959D-C849463A6D04/73691/internal_big.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/8F5C7BC7-1FD8-4D3E-BB4D-81596EDF4155/73688/external_big.jpg http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/3B36F1EE-BCDC-425B-A726-68878095348B/73613/bowl3_big.jpg

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/FDEF5DD9-DCE4-4C54-9895-451C667BD231/73610/bowl2_big.jpg http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/6D5865A0-31F3-4ADF-953D-6CE297CA994B/74556/bowl_big.jpg








Emirates Stadium - New stadium: 60,000




http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates23122005_3x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates23122005_2x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates23122005_4x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates23122005_5x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates23122005_6x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates23122005_7x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates23122005_8x.jpg

http://www.arsenal.com/images/emiratesstadium/emirates23122005_1x.jpg








Twickenham Stadium - Expansion: 82,000




Match Day: before South Stand demolition
http://www.abakus-scientific.com/Twickenham.JPG

July, 2005
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_0705.jpg

August, 2005
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_0805.jpg

September, 2005
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_1005.jpg

October, 2005
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_0905.jpg

November, 2005
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/west_view1_0905.jpg

December, 2005 (Stoop Memorial Ground Stadium, 12,500 in the background)
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_1205.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/south_view1_1205.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_1205b.jpg

January, 2006
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_030106.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_060106b.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_100106a.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_100106b.jpg

[eddyk]

Wow so fast...could do the whole tier in a month.

[AJphx]

cool. looks like everything is nearing completion. The new racecourse building looks like it will be very nice.

[eddyk]

Study F of the new Crystal Palace Sports Centre is amazing.

Any latest news on that?

[nick_taylor]

UPDATE!!!!




http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/img/nav/v3_banners/football_760x45.gif

Chelsea look for new 65,000 stadium site

Friday, 20 January 2006, 11:11 GMT

Chelsea plan Bridge redevelopment

Chelsea have denied that they are looking to move away from Stamford Bridge and are instead seeking to increase its capacity to over 50,000.

Reports on Thursday suggested that the Blues were planning buy Earls Court Exhibition Centre in a £400m deal and build a 65,000-seater stadium.


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41236000/jpg/_41236218_bridge203.jpg
Chelsea have been playing at Stamford Bridge for 101 years


"We'd like to increase the capacity at the Bridge and take it over 50,000," said a club spokesperson.

"There are constraints on our current site, which are well documented."

The spokesperson added: "There has been speculation linking us with a whole variety of sites in London including Wembley, the Olympic Stadium at Stratford, White City, Battersea Power Station, Earls Court, Chelsea barracks and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

"Whether these sites are available, or not available, is irrelevant."

It is also understood that if the Earls Court and Olympia complex is purchased then it must remain a conference and exhibition centre.

St James Capital put the 36-acre Earls Court and Olympia site up for sale in December for £400m.




-----




If this were to be built, it would become London's fourth largest stadium after Wembley (90,000), Twickenham (82,000) and the Olympic Stadium (80,000)! It would also be 5,000 seats larger than Arsenal's (a fellow London football team rival) new Emirates Stadium which is currently under construction at Ashburton Grove, around 4miles away (or 12 stops away on the Piccadilly Line as both stadiums would be above this line). This stadium would be built above a highly complex railway junction




Map of Arsenal's current (Highbury) and new stadium (Emirates Stadium)
http://mc.multimap.com/cs/blon//X21/Y74/X2126Y744S10W700H400.gif


Map of Chelsea's current (Stamford Bridge) and new stadium (Unknown named 65,000 all-seated, all-covered stadium) which would be built atop the Earls Court. Unfortunately unlike the new and old Arsenal stadiums, there is a bit of an added distance, so the first map shows Earls Court to the south (with Stamford Bridge to the bottom right just visible) and the second showing Stamford Bridge
http://mc.multimap.com/cs/blon//X21/Y71/X2100Y712S10W700H400.gif

http://mc.multimap.com/cs/blon//X21/Y71/X2104Y710S10W700H400.gif




It is unclear as to exactly what would happen to the Earls Court District Line (4 platform) sub-surface station - perhaps the station could be further modernised with Abromovich's money
http://static.flickr.com/35/73646659_117c97abb5_o.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a5/EarlsCourtTube_TrainIndicators.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Earl%27s_Court_District_Line_platforms.jpg




Pictures of the current Stamford Bridge (notice that on two sides there are railway lines while on the other two it is residential apartments actually built on the stadium and other land uses)

http://www.chelsea.pl/galeria/stadion/3.jpg

http://www.chelsea.pl/galeria/stadion/4.jpg

http://www.chelsea.pl/galeria/stadion/13.jpg








Twickenham Stadium


http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_130106.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_160106.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_190106.jpg

[nick_taylor]

London Metro Area Stadium Highlight: Reading's Madejski Stadium (24,084 > 33,000 Capacity)

Even though in the city proper there is an immense amount of work going on with new stadia and various expansion projects; I thought it would be good to show one of the projects going on just outside London in one of the larger commuter towns: Reading (15 miles from London). Currently the town's stadium is home to the local football team Reading FC and rugby team London Irish.

The Madejski Stadium (named after Reading FC's chairman and financer) is an all-seated, all-covered 24,084 capacity stadium. Currently Reading (as indicated by the following Observer article) are top of the Championship and are set to move up into the holliest of all leagues: the Premiership alongside the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United.

With this promotion there is a high probability of the roof being lifted up and another tier tucked in raising the capacity up to 33,000. This added capacity would make it the largest stadium (excluding race courses and race tracks) in London's metro (obviously excluding the stadia in London itself). The current stadium in its tier alignment could also cope with a further expansion up to 40,000, but after this there would have to be major work if Reading were to attract such high attendances - but it is possible.

If expanded to 33,000 this would become the 8th largest stadium in the London metro area (inc. London stadia).

Alone in the city proper of London there is a whopping 14 stadiums with a capacity either built or u/c over 20,000. Overall in London and its metro area there are 20 stadiums above 20,000 capacity!




Current Madejski Stadium - 24,084 Capacity | Soon to be 33,000

http://www.prideofanglia.com/panorama/miscellaneous/2002-10-19%20Madejski%20Stadium.jpg








Madejski ready to raise roof as Reading warm to promotion task

Jamie Jackson witnesses how the runaway Championship leaders are concentrating their efforts to avoid the heartbreak of last season so they can finally take their place among the elite for the first time in their 135-year history

Sunday January 22, 2006: The Observer

Reading's players will wake this morning to the soothing sound of the ocean. They are in Vale do Lobo, a luxury golf and beach resort on the Algarve that is flanked by miles of golden sand and red sandstone cliffs. The trip to Portugal is just reward for the startling success they have had this season. Steve Coppell's players, though, will be afforded little time to address their swings. 'We are here for a few days' warm-weather training,' the manager said. 'The intention is to push on.'

This has been a campaign of irresistible progress for Reading. It should end in promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club's 135-year history, possibly as champions with a record points tally. The past seven days have featured a remarkable comeback against West Brom in an FA Cup third-round replay, committed yet relaxed training at their new base in Hogwood Park near Wokingham in Berkshire and a hard-earned draw away to Crystal Palace.

It is further evidence that the club will not crumble, as they did during a similar stage last term when, as Championship leaders, a 3-0 defeat by Preston at Deepdale began a run of 11 league games without a victory. Misery was then completed when a 3-1 loss to Wigan at the JJB Stadium on the final day meant no play-off place and a long summer of introspection. Now, the club and everyone connected with it buzzes with expectation.

It is Tuesday evening and the executive bar at the Madejski Stadium teems with the good and great. In a few hours, Reading will stun West Brom and their fans. John Madejski, Reading's millionaire owner and a good friend of Cilla Black, has broken off from glad-handing Lord and Lady McAlpine to offer a few words on his club's season.

Reading have 73 points. That has been enough in five previous years to reach the play-offs, yet there are 16 games left. If the club continue to pick up points at their present rate, they will end with 111, six more than Sunderland's record mark in 1998-99. Since defeat by Plymouth on the opening day, Coppell's men have lost only to Arsenal in the League Cup. It is more than 2,600 minutes since the club have taken less than a point from a Championship match. Third-placed Leeds would have to win seven and hope Reading lose seven to displace them from the automatic promotion place so coveted in this part of Berkshire.

'I know squat about football,' Madejski says, but a man with a self-made fortune of £325m must surely come with some transferable skills. Everything, he adds, has been learnt on the hoof. Since he took over in 1990, the 64-year-old, who made his fortune from Auto Trader, has turned the club around.

Now promotion to the Premiership beckons. So what is the difference this season? 'Coppell now has his feet firmly under the table [he arrived in October 2003]' Madejski says. 'And we strengthened. I gave him £1m to buy Leroy Lita.' The club's record signing is indicative of Reading's greater resources. Acquired from Bristol City in the summer, the Congo striker's progress has been blighted by injury, yet he has still scored 10 goals in 25 appearances, including the impressive hat-trick that killed off West Brom. Quick and muscular, he is a hugely potent option to have on the bench. Coppell's first choice at Palace on Friday, as throughout the campaign is Dave Kitson, a £1.5m buy from Cambridge United two seasons ago who is the Championship's top scorer with 13, and Kevin Doyle, an £80,000 summer signing from Cork City, who has 11 goals.

Eighteen months ago, Madejski's money also provided the new training facility - the club formerly used Reading's hockey and cricket clubs in Sonning - that sits on former army land. Hogwood Park has room for a car park, numerous pitches, as well as Portakabins that house a gym, Coppell's office, changing rooms and a small dining area. It is a relaxed environment. Boots are casually scattered on the concrete, players are happy to stop and chat. 'It's a brilliant, easy-going club,' Doyle says.

Coppell moves around the place quietly, always ready with a wry comment. He believes that greater firepower is the main difference this season. 'Last year we never scored once from a wide position,' he says. 'Now, the wide men have contributed [left-winger Bobby Convey has four goals, Glen Little five]. And we signed Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle.'

Doyle's success has been rewarded with a new three-and-a-half-year deal. 'It's been brilliant,' he says. 'Top of the league and I'm playing pretty regularly.' And Reading's success? 'We try to do everything as quick as possible - corners, throw-ins, goalkeeper kicking it out,' the 22-year-old says. 'We break down teams in the first half and it opens up in the second.'

On Friday this is evident. Despite Palace's greater possession, Reading are more convincing. Steve Sidwell and James Harper, both former Arsenal trainees, are impressive in central midfield. The big American keeper, Marcus Hahnemann, concedes the penalty from which Palace score, but also makes vital saves. Two minutes after the spot-kick Reading's desire results in a fine equaliser from Harper. As Coppell says later: 'We now have the mentality that we will score from half-chances.'

Hahnemann came through the American college system and did not play professionally until he was 22. 'When you play 50-odd games a year sometimes it feels like groundhog day,' he says. 'Yet even when we haven't been 100 per cent we've somehow managed draws. A big factor is the defence being together for a year now.' So far it has allowed 16 goals in the league. Captain and right-back Graeme Murty, left-back Nicky Shorey and the central defence pairing of Ivar Ingimarsson and Ibrahima Sonko are the regular back four.

Reading's closest shot at the Premiership came in 1994-95 when, despite finishing second, they had to play-off against third-placed Bolton because of a reduction of numbers in the Premiership. A 2-0 lead at Wembley ended in 4-3 extra-time heartache. Madejski, ever the positive entrepreneur, believes that it was a blessing. 'We were at Elm Park [the club's former ground, which held 15,000] so it would've been a total disaster,' he says. 'With the Justice Taylor [ruling], it probably would've been the demise of the club, as to make it all-seating would have taken capacity down to 10,000.'

Now the club have facilities as good as most in the Premiership, having moved in 1998 to the purpose-built Madejski Stadium, which cost £40m. 'If we get to the Premiership and have a year of consolidation,' says Madejski, 'then we have the ability to raise the roof and take the capacity from 24,700 to 33,000.' After that, he might sell. 'As far as I'm concerned getting to the Premiership is job done.'

Already, more than 15,000 season tickets have been sold for next season and demand will rocket further if the club, as they surely will, win promotion.

Then, John Madejski may indeed have to raise that roof.

[one very bored guy]

Hi Nick, excellent that you have included the metro area around London as well. Other cities around the world do this as well, most notably Melbourne and Sydney. London is more than just the city proper :cheers:

On a different note, it would be really sad to see the history of Earls Court Station destroyed. I love this station. If they do work above it, I hope they retain as much of the original structure as possible, with of cause some modern improvements.

[nick_taylor]

^^ I'm going to include other metro area stadia in future updates - I thought that I might as well! Some of the greatest growth is in the metro area surrounding London, eg Milton Keynes' new 30,000 stadium, Brighton's new 22,000 stadium and Portsmouth's Fratton Park (will be turned an entire 90 degrees to allow for expansion possibly up to 35,000), and many more which I will get into detail about. The most amazing though will have to be Milton Keynes' new stadium which is suprising considering their position as they are currently ranked 68th of all the English football teams at this very moment and to make matters worse are last of England's third league meaning they could be relegated to the 4 league!




Milton Keynes Stadium (MK Dons): 30,000 (+ 5,000 indoor arena)
http://www.stadiumguide.com/wimbledonnew1.jpg


Falmer Stadium (Brighton & Hove Albion): 22,000
http://www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties/sport/clubs/brighton/picturehistory/falmer_cg_330.jpg http://benwalmsley.bravehost.com/myPictures/falmer_stadium03_m.jpg


New Fratton Park Stadium (Portsmouth FC): 28,000 > 35,000 (currently 20,220)
http://www.venneravpompey.com/pompeybilder/FPtattfraluften.jpg








I'm unsure about Earls Court Station as its kind of seperated from the actual event halls, but there would have to be transport improvements as it is as its already very busy any day or time of the week. I doubt they'll knock it down though - its older than most cities termini are!