London Olympic Stadium – design description

Although West Ham had been preparing for some time to take over as anchor tenants of the 2012 Olympics Stadium, decision was made only in March 2013. This is also when the club presented detailed plans of how the ground opened a year before should be redeveloped.

Contrary to initial Olympics legacy plans, the upper stands were decided to be retained, while initially permanent lower sections were to be replaced by retractable stands that would bring fans close to the action both for football and athletics. With the stadium also receiving new permanent corporate zones, capacity is to fall from 80,000 to 60,000 seats.

A new tensile roof was also designed over the stands, covering all fans. With the span of 84 meters it's thought to be the world's largest delivered in that technology.

Demolition of the lower stands began in August 2013, while roof deconstruction followed in November. All of the stadium is to be done in 2015, in time for the Rugby World Cup. Of the planned budget set at £272 million (immense growth from 195m initially) West Ham United are to cover some 10%, with the remainder being financed by Newham Council (£ 40m) and central funds.