Villa Park Redevelopment

[Chris Smith]

I was looking at the Holte End last night as I walked by, rather than racing to get in before kick-off as usual, and it occurred to me just how much of its footprint is just empty space above the steps.

Basically, if they expanded backwards they could build a load of new space for restaurants, bars, and whatever, without actually demolishing the stand. Maybe someone with building/engineering experience could shed some light on whether that would be possible to do while the stand was still open? Like Liverpool did.

It wouldn't give you any more seats, but it would expand the revenue generating options with the right amount of space without taking it away from us mere mortals. Though I can imagine there would be uproar at demolishing the historic 90s brickwork.

They have started using it more for food and drink outlets, there is also the Holte Pub and Lowe Grounds that open on to it and it’s always been used as a car park but if they don’t keep enough space behind it it pushes the queues back to the streets which is obviously not ideal.

[Risso]

It's a difficult one. Real Madrid at home with only 3 sides open would be such a bad look.

On the other hand, Real Madrid in front of 52,000 people in 18 months time would be a great look, and more importantly, generating a shed load more cash.

[Lsvilla]

It's a difficult one. Real Madrid at home with only 3 sides open would be such a bad look.

On the other hand, Real Madrid in front of 52,000 people in 18 months time would be a great look, and more importantly, generating a shed load more cash.

Of course and I agree obviously. I was in the moving camp, but as that's off the agenda then I'm hoping the brains that have been brought onto the board can find a way of delivering that by building a new stand behind / over the existing and with less disruption to gates.

[Dogtanian]

I was looking at the Holte End last night as I walked by, rather than racing to get in before kick-off as usual, and it occurred to me just how much of its footprint is just empty space above the steps.

Basically, if they expanded backwards they could build a load of new space for restaurants, bars, and whatever, without actually demolishing the stand. Maybe someone with building/engineering experience could shed some light on whether that would be possible to do while the stand was still open? Like Liverpool did.

It wouldn't give you any more seats, but it would expand the revenue generating options with the right amount of space without taking it away from us mere mortals. Though I can imagine there would be uproar at demolishing the historic 90s brickwork.

They have started using it more for food and drink outlets, there is also the Holte Pub and Lowe Grounds that open on to it and it’s always been used as a car park but if they don’t keep enough space behind it it pushes the queues back to the streets which is obviously not ideal.

I didn't really mean extend into the carpark area, more to build up above the current footprint to make use of the space vertically (above the steps basically).

[Villan82]

It's a difficult one. Real Madrid at home with only 3 sides open would be such a bad look.

On the other hand, Real Madrid in front of 52,000 people in 18 months time would be a great look, and more importantly, generating a shed load more cash.

I have felt that is just an excuse to cover the new short-term approach to it.

I mean, watch back the Inter Milan game. The Holte was being rebuilt and the camera pans in on the new stand rising from behind the goal. The commentators even refer to it.

Us playing in front of cranes at that end would just be another symbol of the forward momentum behind the entire club.

[LeeS]

I think I've worked out why Heck has shelved the plans. In a couple of years several of our games will be played overseas. Who needs an expanded Villa Park when we'll be getting 80,000 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl?

Even though this is tongue in cheek, you know full well all those American owners would do it if they could. Once there are 14 of them in place, we can say good bye to the EPL. It will be the Global Premier League, permanently on tour.

[ChicagoLion]

I think I've worked out why Heck has shelved the plans. In a couple of years several of our games will be played overseas. Who needs an expanded Villa Park when we'll be getting 80,000 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl?

Even though this is tongue in cheek, you know full well all those American owners would do it if they could. Once there are 14 of them in place, we can say good bye to the EPL. It will be the Global Premier League, permanently on tour.

I have thought for a while that playing PL games outside the UK is very likely, its already happening with NFL over here,

[usav]

I have thought for a while that playing PL games outside the UK is very likely, its already happening with NFL over here,

And frighteningly even though people here were against the NFL games being played overseas, it's now the norm and people are even embracing it by making a holiday out of it.

[London Villan]

There are a combination of factors at play:

Is there the demand to fill an additional 3000-4000 premium admission seats for 19 league games? I doubt it.
The first season in the CL with a third of the ground being rebuilt - (remember the northern third of the Trinity would be renovated) not ideal.
Can the local transport infrastructure cope with 10,000 more people?

[ADVILLAFAN]

Talking of NFL, I did see am article suggesting the NFL are considering making the Super Bowl a Pay Per View event.

The shower of bastards.

[Chris Smith]

I was looking at the Holte End last night as I walked by, rather than racing to get in before kick-off as usual, and it occurred to me just how much of its footprint is just empty space above the steps.

Basically, if they expanded backwards they could build a load of new space for restaurants, bars, and whatever, without actually demolishing the stand. Maybe someone with building/engineering experience could shed some light on whether that would be possible to do while the stand was still open? Like Liverpool did.

It wouldn't give you any more seats, but it would expand the revenue generating options with the right amount of space without taking it away from us mere mortals. Though I can imagine there would be uproar at demolishing the historic 90s brickwork.

They have started using it more for food and drink outlets, there is also the Holte Pub and Lowe Grounds that open on to it and it’s always been used as a car park but if they don’t keep enough space behind it it pushes the queues back to the streets which is obviously not ideal.

I didn't really mean extend into the carpark area, more to build up above the current footprint to make use of the space vertically (above the steps basically).

Ah, gotcha.

[Bad English]

Talking of NFL, I did see am article suggesting the NFL are considering making the Super Bowl a Pay Per View event.

The shower of bastards.

That's great. I won't be able to switch it on by mistake! Good work!

[usav]

Talking of NFL, I did see am article suggesting the NFL are considering making the Super Bowl a Pay Per View event.

The shower of bastards.

That's great. I won't be able to switch it on by mistake! Good work!

Shhhhh.  You're in bed anyway, it's a school night.

[chrisw1]

There are a combination of factors at play:

Is there the demand to fill an additional 3000-4000 premium admission seats for 19 league games? I doubt it.
The first season in the CL with a third of the ground being rebuilt - (remember the northern third of the Trinity would be renovated) not ideal.
Can the local transport infrastructure cope with 10,000 more people?

It's nowhere near a third of the ground.  Any connection with the Trinity would have been saved to the end of the development, probably off-season.
As for GA+ demand, that's purportedly the reason the whole thing was shelved in the first place.
We've discussed local transport a lot, the stations are out of our hands, but there are already plans for Witton.  With increased corporate and leisure facilities before and after games, maybe the change in peak travel numbers won't be that much anyway?   

[London Villan]

According to the plans that were submitted, the northern end of the Trinity would have basically been demolished, with the changing rooms, press areas, players' loungers, physio rooms all moving to the corner of the ground (pretty much where the players car park is now) The space it freed inside the stand being used for hospitality for the new corner section of the stand. That change was integral to the new stand and couldn't have been done without a lot of upheaval.

The current park view hospitality was also planned top be extended further out from where it is now.