Everton Football Club has revealed the designs for its new £500m stadium, proposed for construction at Bramley Moore Dock in Liverpool
The 52,000-capacity football ground at Bramley Moore Dock could host games by 2023, according to Everton FC.
Everton’s new stadium has been designed by architect Dan Meis who says the stadium’s brick and steel construction will make it appear “as though it has risen from the dock” in tribute to the city’s maritime past.
The entire stadium has been designed to put supporters as close to the action as regulations permit as the club wants to retain the intensity and intimacy of Goodison Park, it said.
The installation of rail seating could pave the way for some standing areas. The design of both North and South stand lower tiers will make it easy to implement rail seating. Should legislation change in the future, they could also be converted into areas for safe standing, offering supporters optionality and flexibility in the future, Everton FC said.
Everton expects to submit plans by the end of 2019 and hope to begin a three-year building project as soon as 2020.
It said there were options to fund the development from both the private and public sectors, which could include selling naming rights to a sponsor.
Everton chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale said the ground would “deliver transformative benefits” for the whole of Liverpool.
“Our proposed stadium design takes its inspiration from both our city’s maritime history and from our club’s rich heritage and traditions,” she added.
A fan plaza to the east of the stadium would host pre-match activity for up to 14,000 and could also be used as a venue for music concerts.
Everton FC will consider increasing the capacity to 62,000 if it regularly fills the ground.
The club’s current stadium is earmarked to become the site of new homes and health and education facilities, while proposals for a lasting tribute include retaining the pitch’s centre circle.
