Lord’s Cricket Ground To Get £61.8m Makeover
Lord’s Cricket Ground is set to undergo a £61.8m renovation project, following approval from Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) members.
The iconic venue, dubbed as ‘the home of cricket’, will see its capacity increase by 1100 seats.
Meanwhile, the Tavern and Allen stands will be redeveloped as part of the project, which will begin in September and will be completed by 2027.
Plans for the renovation already were given the green light by the Westminster City Council’s Planning Committee during a meeting on 16th April.
The latest project marks the second redevelopment made at Lord’s in the last three years, after the Compton and Edrich stands were subject to a £53m revamp in 2021.
According to MCC, John Graham Construction Ltd has been identified as the preferred bidder for the project, with the contract set to be finalised over the next few weeks.
An additional tier will be added to both stands, however the Allen Stand, which has stood since the 1930s, is set to be demolished and rebuilt from scratch.
The revamped Tavern stand will feature s new-look roof designed by architects WilkinsonEyre, which is ‘inspired by the shape and ribbed construction of a series of upturned traditional slip cradle.’
Robert Ebdon, MCC Estates Director, said, “The redevelopment of the Tavern and Allen stands will complete our stand development programme, in which we have modernised facilities at Lord’s to continue to ensure the Ground remains a world-class venue for cricket.
“The stands will also strengthen the Club’s already-impressive sustainability credentials, and we are looking forward to the construction phase and working closely with our consultants Buro Happold, Gardiner & Theobold and Arcadis.”
In another major development for MCC, the club has revealed King Charles III as its new patron.
Royal patronage of MCC dates back to 1910, when King George V became the patron. Queen Elizabeth II previously served in the role for 70 years.
The King has been a member of MCC since 1975, and became an Honorary Life Member of the club in 2014.
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