London cricket ground Lord’s has announced the next stage of its redevelopment after owners Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) awarded architects WilkinsonEyre the contract to design and rebuild two stands at the historic stadium.
After winning a competition against four other design firms, the existing Compton and Edrich stands at the Nursery End, which are located either side of the futuristic-looking media center, will undergo a major facelift to accommodate more seats.
“The standard of competition for this project was extremely high and the interview panel was delighted with the quality of the submissions from all five firms,” said Guy Lavender, chief executive and secretary of MCC.
“WilkinsonEyre presented a beautifully crafted design of two new stands which pays great respect to the existing Media Centre and yet delivers sufficient height to accommodate significantly more public seats than the existing structures.”
“Their design really excited the members of the panel, who were unanimous in their view that the WilkinsonEyre scheme would be the most fitting for Lord’s,” he added.
The proposed rebuilding of the two stands forms the latest phase of a development masterplan at Lord’s, which follows the opening of the ground’s two-tier Warner Stand in 2017 that increased capacity and provided covering for fans.
WilkinsonEyre, who is also working on redeveloping London’s Battersea Power station, has said detailed work on the design will begin immediately and hopes to begin construction after Lord’s hosts the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019, should the proposal be approved by Westminster Council and MCC Members.
Should the redevelopment get the go-ahead there are further plans approved by architecture firm Populous to rebuild two further stands at ‘the Home of Cricket’ for an additional 1,082 seats.
January 10, 2018
