Update on Marylebone Cricket Club’s redevelopment
The StadiumBusiness Design and Development Summit 2015 is due to take place at Hilton London Canary Wharf Hotel (20-21 October) and features some of the top stadia projects taking place from around the world.
In attendance at the Summit is Marylebone Cricket Club in London which is embarking on an ambitious redevelopment project for Lord’s Cricket Ground.
We caught up with Robert Ebdon, Assistant Secretary (Estates), on the progress of the project to update the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, which is being designed by architectural firm Populous.
“Our AGM is coming up in May and our Members will be voting on the building of the new Warner Stand. If approved, building will start in September of this year and take place over the winters of 2015 and 2016 with work on the stand due to be completed by the summer of 2017.”
Following the Warner Stand work, the next phase is the South West project which involves, amongst many aspects, a new Tavern & Allen Stand, moving the Grace Gates and installing a new office block. The move will increase capacity in that part of Lord’s by approximately 1,400.
“We are looking to go to Westminster Council for planning permission this summer and we want to complete work on the Tavern & Allen Stand by 2019 in time for the ICC Cricket World Cup. The rest of the work is scheduled to be completed in 2022.”
Robert explained that the purpose of the project was more than just increasing capacity at the ground. “We are replacing a stand that was built in 1958 so the new Warner Stand will improve sight-lines and circulation as that area of the ground can get quite congested at times. We will also be introducing a world-class match control suite.”
Given the ground is the home of cricket, Robert said this presented a challenge when planning large scale changes.
“When designing this project, we took into account the unique atmosphere that the ground provides as it was important we keep the ethos of Lord’s whilst making the necessary improvements.”
Robert was in attendance at The StadiumBusiness Design and Development Summit last year in Madrid to get a view on projects happening around the world and to meet potential suppliers. How did he get on?
“It was interesting to see the different scale of projects taking place and to hear about the challenges they face. We also met with some interesting suppliers that may be useful once the South West project begins. We spoke with a pop-up bollards company and wi-fi specialists Meru Networks and had some very interesting chats.”
To meet Robert and hear about other exciting projects from around the world, book your place at The StadiumBusiness Design and Development Summit 2015.
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