Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site

[Kompany is King]

Does anyone still think there will be a completely new stadium further down the line?

No. That option was explored early on and, while it was the preferred option (the Sheikh was distinctly underwhelmed by our current home) it wasn't deemed feasible for reasons I'm not clear about. Possibly it had something to do with difficulties around abandoning the current stadium.

My understanding was that there was a proof of concept drawn up for an 80,000 seater on the site of the North Car Park and an even more ambitious proposal (as in your jaw would dislocate as it would drop so far and your eyes would pop out of their sockets when you saw it) for what's now hoping to be the Campus.

So you are saying the campus plans that were eye popping are still going ahead or have they been scaled down too?

Good question.

 

[GXCity]

Does anyone still think there will be a completely new stadium further down the line?

No. That option was explored early on and, while it was the preferred option (the Sheikh was distinctly underwhelmed by our current home) it wasn't deemed feasible for reasons I'm not clear about. Possibly it had something to do with difficulties around abandoning the current stadium.

My understanding was that there was a proof of concept drawn up for an 80,000 seater on the site of the North Car Park and an even more ambitious proposal (as in your jaw would dislocate as it would drop so far and your eyes would pop out of their sockets when you saw it) for what's now hoping to be the Campus.

So you are saying the campus plans that were eye popping are still going ahead or have they been scaled down too?

Nope

 

[blueparrot]

No. That option was explored early on and, while it was the preferred option (the Sheikh was distinctly underwhelmed by our current home) it wasn't deemed feasible for reasons I'm not clear about. Possibly it had something to do with difficulties around abandoning the current stadium.

My understanding was that there was a proof of concept drawn up for an 80,000 seater on the site of the North Car Park and an even more ambitious proposal (as in your jaw would dislocate as it would drop so far and your eyes would pop out of their sockets when you saw it) for what's now hoping to be the Campus.

So you are saying the campus plans that were eye popping are still going ahead or have they been scaled down too?

Nope

Do you think we are far of some announcements on the collar sight?. I presume you mean nope, to the scaling down, not the still going ahead bit of his question.

 

[petrusha]

Does anyone still think there will be a completely new stadium further down the line?

No. That option was explored early on and, while it was the preferred option (the Sheikh was distinctly underwhelmed by our current home) it wasn't deemed feasible for reasons I'm not clear about. Possibly it had something to do with difficulties around abandoning the current stadium.

My understanding was that there was a proof of concept drawn up for an 80,000 seater on the site of the North Car Park and an even more ambitious proposal (as in your jaw would dislocate as it would drop so far and your eyes would pop out of their sockets when you saw it) for what's now hoping to be the Campus.

So you are saying the campus plans that were eye popping are still going ahead or have they been scaled down too?

He's saying that the plans for the potential stadium on what is now the CFA site were eye popping, not the campus plans,

However, it was decided fairly quickly that if they were going to build a new stadium it would be on the site of the north car parks and all the serious talks that took place related to that option. PB says he isn't sure why they didn't go forward with this option. I've been told about it in a degree of detail. In essence, the issue is that City wanted to knock down the existing stadium if a new one was built. Sport England wouldn't have it. City looked at taking out the bottom tier, squeezing in a track and having a stadium used for rugby, athletics and some concerts with a capacity of around 30K IIRC. However, it was decided that this wasn't realistic, which I suspect means that the land on the campus that an extra stadium would have occupied can be put to much better use.

 

[richards30]

maybe off topic but does anyone know if the club will be doing new features as the academy gets closer to opening?? when is the date of completion?

 

[YaYa's Left Peg]

No. That option was explored early on and, while it was the preferred option (the Sheikh was distinctly underwhelmed by our current home) it wasn't deemed feasible for reasons I'm not clear about. Possibly it had something to do with difficulties around abandoning the current stadium.

My understanding was that there was a proof of concept drawn up for an 80,000 seater on the site of the North Car Park and an even more ambitious proposal (as in your jaw would dislocate as it would drop so far and your eyes would pop out of their sockets when you saw it) for what's now hoping to be the Campus.

So you are saying the campus plans that were eye popping are still going ahead or have they been scaled down too?

He's saying that the plans for the potential stadium on what is now the CFA site were eye popping, not the campus plans,

However, it was decided fairly quickly that if they were going to build a new stadium it would be on the site of the north car parks and all the serious talks that took place related to that option. PB says he isn't sure why they didn't go forward with this option. I've been told about it in a degree of detail. In essence, the issue is that City wanted to knock down the existing stadium if a new one was built. Sport England wouldn't have it. City looked at taking out the bottom tier, squeezing in a track and having a stadium used for rugby, athletics and some concerts with a capacity of around 30K IIRC. However, it was decided that this wasn't realistic, which I suspect means that the land on the campus that an extra stadium would have occupied can be put to much better use.

This sounds very much like a missed opportunity i.e. to put in place an iconic stadium , the likes of which we are unlikely to see in this country. And all because Sport England put a block on it! Having said that, in its stead, we have ended up with what I think is an eye-popping CFA site, which lends itself much more to ensuring the future development and security of the club, as well as enhancing our community roots and standing.

 

[fbloke]

As much as an 'iconic' stadium was central to what most of us on here imagined, and indeed wanted, the fact is we will have a pretty special stadium but it will be set in an iconic development.

The wider developments will grow and spread over the years and from what I understand there is actually no end point yet in place. As land becomes available and as opportunities arise City will be there.

I envy the likes of GXCity who see in full colour now what we will see rise form the East Manchester sod over the next decade.

 

[Centurions]

maybe off topic but does anyone know if the club will be doing new features as the academy gets closer to opening?? when is the date of completion?

Well, you're in the "Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site" thread so I'm pretty sure that's as on topic as you can get.
As for new features who knows, but I've no doubt there will be. It's supposed to be fully functional for the start of the 14/15 season and as far as I'm aware they're on schedule.

 

[fbloke]

Surely the club could put the collar site at the top of the list for sports fans with a properly special sports bar.

Have a look at this beauty

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.realsports.ca/BarAndGrill/Toronto/OurStory/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.realsports.ca/BarAndGrill/Toronto/OurStory/</a>

 

[80s Shorts]

Can the people who know exactly, and in detail, and why, what is NOT going to happen.. please tell us what is going to happen.

 

[petrusha]

Can the people who know exactly, and in detail, and why, what is NOT going to happen.. please tell us what is going to happen.

There will be a phased, mixed-use development of the collar site. Not sure when plans will be announced but not before the summer, I'd guess. How many phases and what the final timescale is, I don't know. GX City is your man for that but whether he can actually tell us is another matter.

Basically, as far as I know (and I stand to be corrected) we're looking at an arena/conference facility, a visitor attraction that will draw in people from all over the UK and internationally, hotel space, retail outlets, food and drink, and commercial (office) space.

As I've posted more than once, but we're not looking at a 20K arena to compete with or replace the Arena in town. (People keep suggesting this but it isn't going to happen). Think more in terms of this: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.adnec.ae/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.adnec.ae/</a>.

As for the major attraction, City have actually had quite a lot of interest from people who were keen on a partnership for that site. The issue is finding one who fits with the vision of the club and its owner, who want this to make a statement about MCFC and its values (building a tie-in for the club with sponsorship and commercial opportunities too). Getting the right partner in recent years of economic downturn proved difficult and the club preferred to wait rather than rush into the wrong kind of partnership. As far as I know, a deal hasn't been inked yet (again, I stand to be corrected) but I would wager that it will be family friendly, with an educational slant and probably involving cutting-edge technologies. The latter fits with MCC's aim to drive Manchester forward as a high-tech centre, too.

There was talk of the office space housing the international headquarters of at least one big-name company, probably with Abu-Dhabi connections. I'm not sure how that's going, but there's certainly a desire for the development to bring real jobs (i.e. decent paying, permanent ones) to the area, which this aspect of the development is meant to achieve. (And those employees will be a magnet for leisure and retail facilities - along with the footfall from regular sports events, shows and concerts at a 7K arena).

In terms of the look, someone who'd seen or knew of the plans (I can't remember who) said on this thread that, overall, it's going to be more like Salford Quays than Vegas in terms of the concept and the look. However, the plans also show a lot of green space and they intend to make the most of the opportunity for canal-side developments.

As far as the wider area is concerned - the 200 acres plus owned by MCC and MCFC at and in the vicinity of the Etihad Campus - people should remember that as long ago as March 2010, fbloke stated that the model was Melbourne Docklands - see here: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?pagename=Docklands" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?p ... =Docklands</a>. In other words, we're talking about a mixed development, which started with a large sports facility being built and grew from there. It includes further development focused on sports, leisure, visitor attractions, retail, office space, media and technology. You'll see all of this in and around East Manchester in due course as a function of the MCFC/MCC developments.

To this end, the Eastlands Regeneration Framework published by MCC (you can get a copy here if you want - <a class="postlink" href="http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/download/4502/eastlands_regeneration_framework" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/ ... _framework</a>) suggests that land currently occupied by the north car parks will be subject to commercial development in due course, as will land to the west of the stadium. The latter would, as the Framework document makes clear, entail the relocation of the Regional Athletics Arena, squash and tennis facilities. The Framework document suggests that these will go to the Beswick Sports Hub.

There will be other associated development, too. Look out for transport improvements part-funded via section 106 agreements as development of the campus moves on, for instance.

The expansion of the East and Colin Bell Stands, development of the land north and west of the stadium is developed, and all associated transport improvements are obviously not going to happen until the collar site has been developed in full, so I suspect that will be the agenda for the 2020s.

 

[willipp]

Can the people who know exactly, and in detail, and why, what is NOT going to happen.. please tell us what is going to happen.

There will be a phased, mixed-use development of the collar site. Not sure when plans will be announced but not before the summer, I'd guess. How many phases and what the final timescale is, I don't know. GX City is your man for that but whether he can actually tell us is another matter.

Basically, as far as I know (and I stand to be corrected) we're looking at an arena/conference facility, a visitor attraction that will draw in people from all over the UK and internationally, hotel space, retail outlets, food and drink, and commercial (office) space.

As I've posted more than once, but we're not looking at a 20K arena to compete with or replace the Arena in town. (People keep suggesting this but it isn't going to happen). Think more in terms of this: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.adnec.ae/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.adnec.ae/</a>.

As for the major attraction, City have actually had quite a lot of interest from people who were keen on a partnership for that site. The issue is finding one who fits with the vision of the club and its owner, who want this to make a statement about MCFC and its values (building a tie-in for the club with sponsorship and commercial opportunities too). Getting the right partner in recent years of economic downturn proved difficult and the club preferred to wait rather than rush into the wrong kind of partnership. As far as I know, a deal hasn't been inked yet (again, I stand to be corrected) but I would wager that it will be family friendly, with an educational slant and probably involving cutting-edge technologies. The latter fits with MCC's aim to drive Manchester forward as a high-tech centre, too.

There was talk of the office space housing the international headquarters of at least one big-name company, probably with Abu-Dhabi connections. I'm not sure how that's going, but there's certainly a desire for the development to bring real jobs (i.e. decent paying, permanent ones) to the area, which this aspect of the development is meant to achieve. (And those employees will be a magnet for leisure and retail facilities - along with the footfall from regular sports events, shows and concerts at a 7K arena).

In terms of the look, someone who'd seen or knew of the plans (I can't remember who) said on this thread that, overall, it's going to be more like Salford Quays than Vegas in terms of the concept and the look. However, the plans also show a lot of green space and they intend to make the most of the opportunity for canal-side developments.

As far as the wider area is concerned - the 200 acres plus owned by MCC and MCFC at and in the vicinity of the Etihad Campus - people should remember that as long ago as March 2010, fbloke stated that the model was Melbourne Docklands - see here: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?pagename=Docklands" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?p ... =Docklands</a>. In other words, we're talking about a mixed development, which started with a large sports facility being built and grew from there. It includes further development focused on sports, leisure, visitor attractions, retail, office space, media and technology. You'll see all of this in and around East Manchester in due course as a function of the MCFC/MCC developments.

To this end, the Eastlands Regeneration Framework published by MCC (you can get a copy here if you want - <a class="postlink" href="http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/download/4502/eastlands_regeneration_framework" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/ ... _framework</a>) suggests that land currently occupied by the north car parks will be subject to commercial development in due course, as will land to the west of the stadium. The latter would, as the Framework document makes clear, entail the relocation of the Regional Athletics Arena, squash and tennis facilities. The Framework document suggests that these will go to the Beswick Sports Hub.

There will be other associated development, too. Look out for transport improvements part-funded via section 106 agreements as development of the campus moves on, for instance.

The expansion of the East and Colin Bell Stands, development of the land north and west of the stadium is developed, and all associated transport improvements are obviously not going to happen until the collar site has been developed in full, so I suspect that will be the agenda for the 2020s.

I love reading this kind of post as it starts to paint a picture of how big a vision the club actually has for the area. Its a bit like waiting for xmas waiting for the plans to start being released. Its hard to imagine when walking to the ground how it could possibly look, but the CFA starts to change the landscape and as soon as development at the stadium really gets going i think it will be a constantly changing area. Love it.

 

[unexpected item]

Football Focus is live from the Etihad today (12.00 BBC1) and probably be some CFA related footage as they are talking to Paddy V.

 

[1.618034]

Football Focus is live from the Etihad today (12.00 BBC1) and probably be some CFA related footage as they are talking to Paddy V.

Nice one. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Mike N]

Only saw part of Football Focus but what I did see made the ground and future plans look fantastic. Ill be catching up on Iplayer.

 

[Carver]

Ah, I wondered where the Football Focus posts would be lurking.
Not really appropriate thread for what I was going to say, so I'll put it at the end.

It was great to see them highlighting City as a club, what we are trying to do for the club now, in the future, for the womens team and in the community.

a bit short on live images of the Etihad campus, but I think that City and the contractors don't want anyone in there until it's all done and shiny new. It leaves it open ended to show us around the campus in a follow up next season.

Well done Auntie Beeb


I was going to say:

I wasn't too happy when I saw Pearce sat in the 'Dugout' seat. Brought back bad memories. Did the montage show all of our goals under him? It was near enough.
Lawro is on stage in City Square, looks like he's crapping it,, he's trying to think back what bad things he's said about City in the last week.

 

[Chancy Termites]

What about an F1 track then? Silverstone's crap and given that it's a kind of sport and Abu Dhabi's got one, it would be a great fit. Part new build, part existing streets redeveloped so it takes in some nice views of the rest of the campus.

 

[somapop]

Can the people who know exactly, and in detail, and why, what is NOT going to happen.. please tell us what is going to happen.

There will be a phased, mixed-use development of the collar site. Not sure when plans will be announced but not before the summer, I'd guess. How many phases and what the final timescale is, I don't know. GX City is your man for that but whether he can actually tell us is another matter.

Basically, as far as I know (and I stand to be corrected) we're looking at an arena/conference facility, a visitor attraction that will draw in people from all over the UK and internationally, hotel space, retail outlets, food and drink, and commercial (office) space.

As I've posted more than once, but we're not looking at a 20K arena to compete with or replace the Arena in town. (People keep suggesting this but it isn't going to happen). Think more in terms of this: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.adnec.ae/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.adnec.ae/</a>.

As for the major attraction, City have actually had quite a lot of interest from people who were keen on a partnership for that site. The issue is finding one who fits with the vision of the club and its owner, who want this to make a statement about MCFC and its values (building a tie-in for the club with sponsorship and commercial opportunities too). Getting the right partner in recent years of economic downturn proved difficult and the club preferred to wait rather than rush into the wrong kind of partnership. As far as I know, a deal hasn't been inked yet (again, I stand to be corrected) but I would wager that it will be family friendly, with an educational slant and probably involving cutting-edge technologies. The latter fits with MCC's aim to drive Manchester forward as a high-tech centre, too.

There was talk of the office space housing the international headquarters of at least one big-name company, probably with Abu-Dhabi connections. I'm not sure how that's going, but there's certainly a desire for the development to bring real jobs (i.e. decent paying, permanent ones) to the area, which this aspect of the development is meant to achieve. (And those employees will be a magnet for leisure and retail facilities - along with the footfall from regular sports events, shows and concerts at a 7K arena).

In terms of the look, someone who'd seen or knew of the plans (I can't remember who) said on this thread that, overall, it's going to be more like Salford Quays than Vegas in terms of the concept and the look. However, the plans also show a lot of green space and they intend to make the most of the opportunity for canal-side developments.

As far as the wider area is concerned - the 200 acres plus owned by MCC and MCFC at and in the vicinity of the Etihad Campus - people should remember that as long ago as March 2010, fbloke stated that the model was Melbourne Docklands - see here: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?pagename=Docklands" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?p ... =Docklands</a>. In other words, we're talking about a mixed development, which started with a large sports facility being built and grew from there. It includes further development focused on sports, leisure, visitor attractions, retail, office space, media and technology. You'll see all of this in and around East Manchester in due course as a function of the MCFC/MCC developments.

To this end, the Eastlands Regeneration Framework published by MCC (you can get a copy here if you want - <a class="postlink" href="http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/download/4502/eastlands_regeneration_framework" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/ ... _framework</a>) suggests that land currently occupied by the north car parks will be subject to commercial development in due course, as will land to the west of the stadium. The latter would, as the Framework document makes clear, entail the relocation of the Regional Athletics Arena, squash and tennis facilities. The Framework document suggests that these will go to the Beswick Sports Hub.

There will be other associated development, too. Look out for transport improvements part-funded via section 106 agreements as development of the campus moves on, for instance.

The expansion of the East and Colin Bell Stands, development of the land north and west of the stadium is developed, and all associated transport improvements are obviously not going to happen until the collar site has been developed in full, so I suspect that will be the agenda for the 2020s.

Good post Petrusha.
Kind of hoping it's a but more special than Salford Quays (I think Media City is great, the IWMN too but overall a little dull) but infinitely less daft and all fur no knickers than Vegas. Should still think big though - the shear amount of developments going up across a few parts of the world are incredible (South Korea, the UAE, China et al).

Also agree there might be some link up to the tech industries in Manchester...possibly the Project Tomorrow (almost as top bleeding secret as this development!).

 

[jrb]

Today before the Fulham game.

More pictures of the bridge and South Stand expansion works to follow.

Click twice to enlarge.

[bigimg]http://i.imgur.com/Szst55N.jpg[/bigimg]

 

[jrb]

Apologies for he first 2 pictures. Bit blurred. In a rush to get back to my seat for the start of the 2nd half.

Work has started on the inside of the South Stand. Note the work and markings on the South Stand concourse, outside entrance 110/Block 111. Anyone?

[bigimg]http://s1.postimg.org/w15ap8nbz/P1020678.jpg[/bigimg]

[bigimg]http://s1.postimg.org/b0f94bjtr/P1020680.jpg[/bigimg]

[bigimg]http://s1.postimg.org/4rtxaqm8v/P1020687.jpg[/bigimg]

[bigimg]http://s1.postimg.org/50ri0nz1b/P1020688.jpg[/bigimg]

[bigimg]http://s1.postimg.org/qgstelogv/P1020696.jpg[/bigimg]

[bigimg]http://s1.postimg.org/f8a1d2l9b/P1020697.jpg[/bigimg]

[bigimg]http://s1.postimg.org/vxg2mq78f/P1020698.jpg[/bigimg]