Chelsea new stadium design
Chelsea Football Club has been exploring options for a new stadium design since 2015. In 2019, the club announced plans to build a new 60,000-seat stadium at the King's Road site in Fulham, London. Here's an overview of the proposed design:
Capacity: 60,000 seats
Design: The new stadium will be designed by Herzog & de Meuron, a Swiss architecture firm known for their work on the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg.
Layout: The stadium will have a unique, asymmetrical design with a distinctive "swooping" roofline. The main stand will be the largest, with a capacity of around 20,000 seats. The other three stands will be smaller, with capacities ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 seats.
Features:
- Retractable roof: The stadium will have a retractable roof, allowing for natural light and ventilation during matches.
- State-of-the-art facilities: The stadium will feature advanced amenities, including a 360-degree LED video board, high-definition screens, and improved acoustics.
- Improved player facilities: The new stadium will have expanded player facilities, including a larger dressing room, improved medical facilities, and enhanced training areas.
- Increased hospitality: The stadium will offer more hospitality options, including premium seating areas, restaurants, and bars.
- Sustainable design: The stadium will be designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating features such as rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, and a green roof.
Timeline:
- Planning permission: The club submitted a planning application to Hammersmith & Fulham Council in 2019.
- Construction: The construction phase is expected to begin in 2022, with a completion date of 2024.
- Opening: The new stadium is expected to open in 2024, with the first match scheduled for the 2024-25 season.
Cost:
The estimated cost of the new stadium is around £500 million (approximately $650 million USD). The club has secured a £400 million loan from the Bank of America to fund the project.
Impact:
The new stadium will have a significant impact on the local community, creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and providing a state-of-the-art facility for Chelsea FC fans. The club has also committed to investing in local community programs and initiatives, including education and sports development projects.