Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, has unveiled designs for the Old Trafford Stadium District which is set to turn the Manchester United football stadium as well as its surrounding precinct into a vibrant and state-of-art community connected by the love of the team, football and local community. Foster + Partner explains their approach to the project as a mission that extends beyond creating a state-of-the-art football stadium; to encompassing a comprehensive masterplan aimed at revitalizing the surrounding area to benefit both fans and the local community.
The stadium is intended to serve as the centerpiece of a mixed-use “miniature city” as Foster + Partners describe it, creating a walkable, nature-filled district. The broader masterplan includes the development of green civic spaces, streets, bridges, and waterfront areas, transforming the one-million square meter brownfield site into a vibrant community hub.
The envisioned stadium design will feature a 100,000-seat arena, which will be the largest in the United Kingdom. The stadium’s standout feature is a vast umbrella-like canopy supported by three towering masts, symbolizing the Manchester United football club's iconic trident emblem. The canopy will shelter a public plaza (twice the size of Trafalgar Square) and will incorporate sustainable technologies to harvest energy and rainwater. The stadium bowl is designed to deliver an unparalleled matchday experience, bringing fans closer to the pitch for a more immersive and electrifying atmosphere. The design of the stadium bowl enhance acoustics, crowd engagement, amplifying the energy of every game. Lord Norman Foster, said: “This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance”.
This ambitious project not only aims to redefine the matchday experience for Manchester United's global fanbase but also serve as catalyst for socio-economic development for the district.
Source: Foster + Partners
