Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has appointed Graham as the preferred contractor for a £62m redevelopment project at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
- The redevelopment will increase seating capacity by 1,100, bringing the ground’s total capacity to 32,200.
- The Tavern Stand will undergo a complete rebuild, while the historic Allen Stand will be demolished and replaced.
- A modern pitch-facing hospitality restaurant and suites will be included in the new design.
- Construction is scheduled to begin on 30th September 2024, with completion by the end of May 2027.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has officially appointed Graham as the contractor for the significant £62m redevelopment of the Tavern and Allen stands at Lord’s Cricket Ground. This project is poised to expand the famous venue’s capacity by an additional 1,100 seats, pushing the total to 32,200 seats. It signifies a commitment to enhancing both the spectator experience and the ground’s infrastructure capacity.
A key feature of this redevelopment involves a complete rebuild of the Tavern Stand. Stripped down to its steel framework, the stand will be reconstructed with increased seating options. Meanwhile, the Allen Stand, parts of which have stood since the 1930s, will be entirely demolished and replaced with a brand new structure. These changes are not just about capacity but also about modernisation, inevitably ensuring that the facilities meet contemporary expectations and standards.
In addition to the seating improvements, the project plans to introduce a new pitch-facing hospitality restaurant and suites. This development aims at enriching the hospitality experience for spectators and elevates the offering of Lord’s as a venue for both cricket and events. The inclusion of such amenities is indicative of a broader strategy to integrate modern comforts and services within the traditional fabric of the historic site.
The construction consortium, featuring Gardiner & Theobald, Wilkinson Eyre Architects, and Arcadis, alongside Graham, is expected to begin operations on the 30th of September 2024, with a project completion target set for the end of May 2027. During this period, Lord’s Cricket Ground will maintain its full operational status, ensuring that cricketing activities remain uninterrupted, which is crucial for stakeholders and fans alike.
WilkinsonEyre, an architectural firm with a proven track record at Lord’s, having previously designed the Compton and Edrich stands, won the design mandate for this project following a competitive process last year. Their past work includes the £53m transformation delivered by ISG that debuted in 2021, further highlighting their expertise in executing projects of such scale and prestige.
MCC’s estates director, Robert Ebdon, remarked on the comprehensive nature of this redevelopment, stating that it will complete the club’s stand improvement initiatives. He emphasised the modernisation of facilities and strengthening of sustainability credentials as focal points. Graham’s development director, Rob Joyce, echoed these sentiments, expressing enthusiasm for preserving the venue’s heritage while advancing its infrastructure.
The transformation at Lord’s marks an essential evolution of this historic cricketing venue, ensuring its continued prestige and functionality.
