Land surrounding West Ham United’s London Stadium touted for development
Land surrounding West Ham United’s London Stadium could be developed after architects were appointed to lead a consultation over the future use of the site in Stratford.
“Potential development and leisure opportunities” will be scoped out by Populous, the global firm behind the likes of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Fulham’s Riverside Stand.
It comes amid heightened interest in the future of the London Stadium, with Mayor Sadiq Khan open to discussing a potential sale of the 62,000-capacity Premier League and athletics stadium.
The taxpayer-owned site will be examined to see “how the stadium and the wider campus could evolve into a leisure-led, mixed-use destination that complements London Stadium’s successful programme of sport, music and major events”, according to a statement.
A London Stadium spokesperson said: “London Stadium is a successful, year-round, multi-use venue, enjoying a unique setting at the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
London Stadium set for development?
“We have now appointed Populous to explore potential development and leisure opportunities that will further enhance this outstanding London destination.”
Former Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley said she would look at a “big property play” when she next entered football amid her interest in buying a stake in West Ham, who call the London Stadium home as part of a generous deal for the club cut between former vice-chair Karren Brady and ex-Mayor Boris Johnson.
Labour last month called on Khan to explore selling the London Stadium to the club. Assembly member Bassam Mahfouz wrote to City Hall urging them to relieve the London taxpayer of the £1.75bn burden of the existing deal.
There had been reports of a potential basketball arena being constructed on the site, with land managers of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park not ruling out the possibility.
Declan Sharkey of Populous said: “London Stadium has a rare combination of a globally recognised venue, excellent transport connections and a distinctive setting within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
“Our work will explore how new leisure, hospitality and public realm uses could make better use of the surrounding land, strengthen connections with the Park and create a destination that works on event days and throughout the year.”