Topic: Liverpool confirm decision to redevelop Anfield

[StormyDog]

It doesn't make business sense, as no one would want to sponsor a stadium that everyone will still call anfield.

Where do Newcastle play? St James park....fuck knows what it's sponsors name is

For the fans your correct of course its SJP, but the TV companies have to call it 'The Sports Direct Arena' or whatever its called this week. It's the TV exposure that companies are paying for and not the fans adoration.

[Zeb]

It doesn't make business sense, as no one would want to sponsor a stadium that everyone will still call anfield.

Where do Newcastle play? St James park....fuck knows what it's sponsors name is

A more likely option is for redeveloped stands and areas within the ground to be sponsored rather than the stadium itself.

[Jamie_H]

I had a mate from Burnley come over at the weekend and he wanted to go on the stadium tour. We got speaking to the stadium tour guide on Sunday and he told us the council have given the club 30 days to decide if they want to press ahead with the new ground and thats that.  He said he has been told that the club will stay at Anfield and will redevelop the Main Stand, Annie Road and Centenary Stand making each of the stands 3 tier with a capacity of 68,000.

[wednesday25052005]

I had a mate from Burnley come over at the weekend and he wanted to go on the stadium tour. We got speaking to the stadium tour guide on Sunday and he told us the council have given the club 30 days to decide if they want to press ahead with the new ground and thats that.  He said he has been told that the club will stay at Anfield and will redevelop the Main Stand, Annie Road and Centenary Stand making each of the stands 3 tier with a capacity of 68,000.

If the tour guides got that right I'd be well happy of that increase of capacity - if or when we get back to European Cup that'd be some atmosphere on the big occasions.

How long would it take though to finish a redevelopment of that scale??

[JohnHobbes]

I had a mate from Burnley come over at the weekend and he wanted to go on the stadium tour. We got speaking to the stadium tour guide on Sunday and he told us the council have given the club 30 days to decide if they want to press ahead with the new ground and thats that.  He said he has been told that the club will stay at Anfield and will redevelop the Main Stand, Annie Road and Centenary Stand making each of the stands 3 tier with a capacity of 68,000.

Would love it to be true but I'm not sure we should put much, if any, trust on the information from a tour guide...

[Lothairio]

If that's true, then it's like Christmas and birthday rolled into one. However, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

[Red_Rich]

If that's true, then it's like Christmas and birthday rolled into one. However, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Exactly this.

That kind of thing sounds brilliant but until I see an architect's mock-up on .tv ... I will stop myself from getting too excited for now.

[Red_Rich]

He said he has been told that the club will stay at Anfield and will redevelop the Main Stand, Annie Road and Centenary Stand making each of the stands 3 tier with a capacity of 68,000.

50% extra capacity on top of what we already have is one sizeable increase!

[Liamski-la]

They won't develop and increase the size of the centenary stand again, surely?

Anny Road and the Main stand yes, but not the centenary.

Its high enough as it is. Can't see how they'd get another tier on it.

They'd all dwarf the Kop as well...

[willss]

I thought we couldn't get above 60k without travel link improvements.

[Liamski-la]

I thought we couldn't get above 60k without travel link improvements.

+1

Guess the tour guide was talking through his arse

[CraigDS]

Really can't see them adding a tier on he centenary stand, would be massively tall.

[TepidT2O]

Really can't see them adding a tier on he centenary stand, would be massively tall.

If Annie road had another tier or a bigger second tier, you could perhaps talk about filing in the corners.... Might give a couple of thousand more seats.

[paulrazor]

I had a mate from Burnley come over at the weekend and he wanted to go on the stadium tour. We got speaking to the stadium tour guide on Sunday and he told us the council have given the club 30 days to decide if they want to press ahead with the new ground and thats that.  He said he has been told that the club will stay at Anfield and will redevelop the Main Stand, Annie Road and Centenary Stand making each of the stands 3 tier with a capacity of 68,000.

was this a ginger haired fella?

was on a tour this time last year and he didnt say whether a new ground would be built or not but said we should expect to hear something that summer. Me and my brother hadnt been to Anfield for a while and noticed a few buildings behind the Albert pub were demolished and a lot of houses were boarded up. (leading us to believe were staying put)

no news came. If its the guy i think it is he was always saying how great benitez was on the tour. the guy was a nice guy but i wouldnt take a tour guides word on stadium stuff.

[paulrazor]

i think the main stand would nearly have to be redone. it still has them poles that obstruct a lot of views and the seats are old small and dated.

[Liamski-la]

i think the main stand would nearly have to be redone. it still has them poles that obstruct a lot of views and the seats are old small and dated.

Main stand is a relic lol

Its like a listed building underneath and those wooden seats are fucking horrible.

[paulrazor]

Main stand is a relic lol

Its like a listed building underneath and those wooden seats are fucking horrible.

some of them are part of the original build and look it too

[wiresnreds]

i think the main stand would nearly have to be redone. it still has them poles that obstruct a lot of views and the seats are old small and dated.

Isnt that just to support the roofing though...? Depending on foundations is it viable to build another tier on top with a new roof without current supporting poles...?

[Peter McGurk]

Main stand is a relic lol

Its like a listed building underneath and those wooden seats are fucking horrible.

New roof, no poles, no building on existing foundations, new seats, yards of bars and restaurants under new sections of stand.


anfield_110128main1 by Peter McGurk, on Flickr

[scouse29]

New roof, no poles, no building on existing foundations, new seats, yards of bars and restaurants under new sections of stand.


anfield_110128main1 by Peter McGurk, on Flickr

Whilst I admire your knowledge and mock ups, would it not be a case of starting from fresh with the main stand? I just think  the paddock looks odd in your design. Apologies if that sounds negative or sarcastic but I assure you it's neither.

[AKABillyGee]

Whilst I admire your knowledge and mock ups, would it not be a case of starting from fresh with the main stand? I just think  the paddock looks odd in your design. Apologies if that sounds negative or sarcastic but I assure you it's neither.

The report in the Guardian was that LFC would be 'adding a tier to the Main and Annie Road stands' no talk here of any work pr redevelopment to what is already in existence. Just whip off the roof and add seats, boxes and a new roof.

[Socrates7]

Apparently Molby was on a stadium tour and said we're staying at anfield. Announcement in 3 weeks.

[Liamski-la]

Where are these mock ups from ?

[ttnbd]

Where are these mock ups from ?

someone who is an idiot?  that's a terrible mock up.  a 4 tier road end?

[muz]

anyone know the proposed capacity of each stand after the rebuild to reach 60,000.

[Peter McGurk]

someone who is an idiot?  that's a terrible mock up.  a 4 tier road end?

That scheme is driven by (in my view) a poor choice of existing geometries and a desire to get as many boxes as possible. And for what it might be it would be pretty bloody expensive.

As explained elsewhere, we don't need more boxes (more premium seats, sure) and we definitely don't need them in the AR end. We need a wider spread of prices for standard seats. The flat pricing structure is pricing out families and the young and there's maybe a significant number who can afford better seats in an improved main stand.

If we maintained current average prices for standard and premium seats (and significantly increased the number of premium seats), the stadium can target the increase in revenue we need and get some cheaper seats going.

Better to build a stadium around the business case than shoe horn one in after (if at all) - wouldn't you say?.

The report in the Guardian was that LFC would be 'adding a tier to the Main and Annie Road stands' no talk here of any work pr redevelopment to what is already in existence. Just whip off the roof and add seats, boxes and a new roof.

It's a choice. leave the seats as is or upgrade them. But if they're upgraded, the price will go up to pay for it.

Whilst I admire your knowledge and mock ups, would it not be a case of starting from fresh with the main stand? I just think  the paddock looks odd in your design. Apologies if that sounds negative or sarcastic but I assure you it's neither.

Why throw away the value of 12,000 seats (and the whole structure that supports them) in the Main Stand? That's daft. There's nothing there that would stop anyone doing what we need to do.

The current access to the paddock is terrible. It's just re-organised and more exits added (plus a row of DDA boxes and wheelchair platform) to give access to some decent bars etc underneath. The rake etc is as is. I have to say there's a bit of photoshop going on to catch up with updates but the paddock is as per the 3D model.



anfield_mainsection1 by Peter McGurk, on Flickr

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[NHRed]

That scheme is driven by (in my view) a poor choice of existing geometries and a desire to get as many boxes as possible. And for what it might be it would be pretty bloody expensive.

As explained elsewhere, we don't need more boxes (more premium seats, sure) and we definitely don't need them in the AR end. We need a wider spread of prices for standard seats. The flat pricing structure is pricing out families and the young and there's maybe a significant number who can afford better seats in an improved main stand.

If we maintained current average prices for standard and premium seats (and significantly increased the number of premium seats), the stadium can target the increase in revenue we need and get some cheaper seats going.

Better to build a stadium around the business case than shoe horn one in after (if at all) - wouldn't you say?.


It's a choice. leave the seats as is or upgrade them. But if they're upgraded, the price will go up to pay for it.


Why throw away the value of 12,000 seats (and the whole structure that supports them) in the Main Stand? That's daft. There's nothing there that would stop anyone doing what we need to do.

The current access to the paddock is terrible. It's just re-organised and more exits added (plus a row of DDA boxes and wheelchair platform) to give access to some decent bars etc underneath. The rake etc is as is. I have to say there's a bit of photoshop going on to catch up with updates but the paddock is as per the 3D model.



anfield_mainsection1 by Peter McGurk, on Flickr

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Peter - first, these models are wonderful.  Second I have George Bernard Shaw* ignorant-Yank question:  A paddock in the U.S. is something found at a horse racing track; what are you referring to?

Finally, my substantial questions and comments -- don't you need some sort of concourse between the upper and lower tiers for facilities? There's a design point here: US sports have lots of breaks where one can slip off to pick up some food, so there's need and value in elaborate concourses for food service.  But even without that, toilet faciltiies, first aid facilities, disabled access, etc are needful.  Second, why not stack the new upper tier over the lower tier with a partial overhang?  if the new tier was staggered, oh 5 or 10 rows horizontally, above the lower tier, you'd get those upper tier seats closer to the pitch.  You may reduce some of the footprint problems and related right to light issues?  Or does a narrower higher (in aspect ratio if not absolutely) structure create more problems than it solves?

*England and America are two countries separated by a common language - GBS

[Peter McGurk]

A paddock in the U.S. is something found at a horse racing track; what are you referring to?...

I don’t know the origins of the ‘paddock’ in this context except maybe it’s a viewing area down close to the participants, which is what it is here - the lowest section of stand, closest to the pitch. Originally it had no roof and is still properly called the Paddock Enclosure.

There a no breaks in play and it’s a problem in revenue terms. And alcohol is banned in sight of the pitch (even in boxes 15 minutes before the match). There is a concourse at the lower level but this is more about circulation and a lower priced food offer than ‘entertainment’ during the match. There are toilets at every level.

Clearly the hospitality can change. There's a lot more that can be done to lengthen the 'core experience' both inside and outside the ground at every price bracket... see more here http://petermcgurk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/anfield-after-all.html

Overhanging the tiers adds structural complexity, height (you have to be able to see the ball in full flight) and cost. Worse and in this case, moving the upper tier closer to the pitch would kill the sightlines to the nearest touchlines - the new upper tier is already at the maximum angle.


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[exiledintheUSA]

I thought we couldn't get above 60k without travel link improvements.

59,995 is it then.

[Niru Red4ever]

59,995 is it then.

Nah, would want 59,999.

So if a redevelopment goes through (hopefully); it will be at one go or in stages? Will the Main Stand be rebuilt from scratch?

[LiverBirdKop]

To the knowledgeable people,  how much do you reckon a redeveloped Anfield would cost?

And, do you think the project will be spread out over a couple years, or more like 5 years?

[Peter McGurk]

how much do you reckon a redeveloped Anfield would cost?

And, do you think the project will be spread out over a couple years, or more like 5 years?

Half the cost of a new stadium. Each stand or section would take two years to build. If you wanted to build consecutively, do so with staggered starts to open the next stand or section each one year after.

[mb1111]

Could trying to get these houses and demolishing them potentially take years with legal minefields, permissions and all sorts of stuff coming with it?

[Peter McGurk]

Could trying to get these houses and demolishing them potentially take years with legal minefields, permissions and all sorts of stuff coming with it?

Or in the blink of an eye - bit like scoring goals.

No permissions to demolish needed.

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[Canada Loves Anfield]

Could trying to get these houses and demolishing them potentially take years with legal minefields, permissions and all sorts of stuff coming with it?

We've only been trying for 15 odd years now

[mb1111]

Oooh interesting. Cheers for all the info on this stuff, Peter.

[Peter McGurk]

We've only been trying for 15 odd years now

I don't think so. Too busy wetting ourselves over shiny new stadia.

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[stevienash]

Lets hope we get some serious info on this over the next few weeks. Just been looking on Google Earth and the triangle website. Lothair Road and Alroy Roads are a mess. Wouldnt want to be the last remaining residents on those roads!

Say if we were to redevelop the main stand to replicate the centenary stand for arguments sake how many rows of houses would have to go to allow this to happen.

Been hearing a lot of stuff on right to light ect

[TepidT2O]

We've only been trying for 15 odd years now

We haven't really, parry gave up in 99 with little fight......

Everyone assumed it was impossible, until, suddenly.....

[The Lord Admiral]

Half the cost of a new stadium. Each stand or section would take two years to build. If you wanted to build consecutively, do so with staggered starts to open the next stand or section each one year after.

Would it really take 2 years each Peter, that's a lot longer than I thought? I suppose if they are smart about it they'll build in a way so as to limit the disruption to attendances as much as possible. Will be interesting how they do it.