West Ham Agrees Boleyn Ground Sale
West Ham United have agreed a deal to sell its Boleyn Ground football stadium to property developer Galliard Group, with the Barclays Premier League club set for a move to London’s Olympic Stadium in 2016.
The announcement comes almost one year on from West Ham’s successful case to be granted a 99-year lease for the centrepiece of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Although no financial details were release, reports indicate that the Hammers will receive less than the stadium’s £71.2 million book value, but opted to sell to the London-based group after impressing with its commitment to honouring the club’s history during the redevelopment process – including the creation of a Bobby Moore Memorial Garden.
It has also commissioned British ‘royal’ sculptress Frances Siegelman to create a statue of the former England defender along with other pieces that celebrate the club’s 110-year history at the site – often referred to as Upton Park due to its location.
The accepted proposal will see blocks of apartments, retail space and leisure facilities with underground parking constructed on the Upton Park site, with the redevelopment project estimated to be completed by late 2018.
Galliard Group also intends to invite the club’s fans to participate in a poll to name each of the new buildings after former players or famous events in West Ham’s history.
West Ham revealed plans for the new look Olympic Stadium earlier last year.
The club’s vice-chairman Karren Brady commented: ‘We opted to reach an agreement with Galliard because they are a local London developer and employer with origins in east London. We know they are committed to working closely with the local community and Newham Council on proposals to transform the site into a residential and retail village, which will benefit the local community and east London’s regional economy.’
‘In addition, and most importantly for us, we can see that Galliard are passionate about working with West Ham United to engage their supporters to help deliver a fitting legacy that will honour the tradition of the famous ground.’
Stephen Conway, the chairman and chief executive of Galliard Group, added: ‘Working closely with West Ham and Newham Council, Galliard now plan to undertake extensive consultation with local residents and businesses and the West Ham United supporter advisory board in order to create a future for the site, which is respectful of the cultural and economic diversity of the local area.’
