Chelsea consult Bird’s Nest architects to revamp Stadium

Chelsea working with firm behind Beijing’s Olympic Stadium

The Swiss firm behind Munich’s Allianz Arena and Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium is believed to be working on designs to revamp Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground.

After several proposals to move to locations within reasonable distance of their home – including Earls Court, White City and Battersea Power Station – hit the buffers, Chelsea announced in June they were looking at proposals to increase the capacity at Stamford Bridge to nearer 60,000.

The Architects Journal has reported Herzog & de Meuron, the Basel-based firm that designed the distinctive Allianz Arena, is working with Lifshchutz Davidson Sandilands on the project.

Chelsea’s statement at the end of last season said they would launch a study to review the potential for improvement to the areas around the ground, including the possibility of decking over the railway lines to the east and north to create walkways and cycleways.

“The study will also assess the feasibility of an expansion of the stadium within the existing historic site boundaries, potentially to enlarge its capacity, enhance its facilities and improve the movement of people and vehicles on match and non-matchdays,” it said.

The club have long made increasing the capacity of 41,837 a priority in order to better compete with their Premier League and European rivals, and the need has become more acute in an era of financial fair play.

The Emirates Stadium has a capacity of more than 60,000 while Old Trafford seats more than 75,000. Once West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium at the start of the 2016-17 season, they will also be able to offer a capacity of 54,000 and a hospitality experience that could prove attractive to nearby firms in the City and Canary Wharf.

Stamford Bridge is boxed in by railways lines, the Fulham Road and expensive real estate making expansion an architectural and logistical challenge.

by Owen Gibson / Guardian