Chelsea have unveiled ambitious new plans to expand Stamford Bridge’s capacity to 60,000.
Owner Roman Abramovich will showcase his design for a new cathedral of football during a three-day public consultation to local residents which started on Tuesday, according to reports in the Daily Mail.
Images of the new stadium show plans for the four new stands inspired by the design of Westminster Abbey.
Abramovich is believed to be footing the bill for the champions’ new stadium, with the expected costs mooted to rise to more than £500million.
VISION OF THE FUTURE: Artist’s impression of Stamford Bridge plans (© Kevin Quigley/Dail Mail)
If the stadium gets the green light, Chelsea could potentially spend up to three seasons playing in a temporary home such as Twickenham or Wembley.
The Russian oligarch’s frustrations at the limitations of Stamford Bridge’s 41,798 capacity has seen him examine the possibilities of re-locating to the old Battersea Power Station site and White City, among others.
Manchester United’s Old Trafford (75,731) and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (60,432) are both significantly larger than Chelsea’s current home.
Most of the new seating in the Stamford Bridge re-design would appear in the South Stand with Chelsea’s two hotels being demolished to make way for the re-construction of the site.
The Mail also reports that Abramovich has enlisted the help of top architects Lifschutz Davidson and Herzog & De Meuron, strategic planners Aecom and structural engineers Schlaich Bergermann & Partner to carry out the design work.
Picture courtesy of Brent Flanders, with thanks
