Everton Football Club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is set to transform the Liverpool waterfront. This ambitious project aims to replace the iconic Goodison Park with a state-of-the-art facility on the banks of the River Mersey. The move represents a significant milestone in the club’s history, promising to boost its competitive edge and enhance the fan experience.
The Everton new stadium is designed to have a capacity surpassing that of Goodison Park, addressing the growing demand for match tickets. It’s poised to be more than just a sports venue, with plans to have an impact on the local economy and spark urban renewal in the surrounding area. This article explores the historical context behind the move, the architectural features of the new ground, and its potential to have an influence on the city’s landscape.
Historical Context and Need for a New Stadium
Goodison Park’s limitations
Everton first played at Goodison Park in 1892, and the stadium has undergone gradual updates since its construction. The most recent major development was the opening of a new stand in August 1994, giving it an all-seater capacity of over 39,000. However, the stadium’s methods of construction and location ultimately constrain its potential.
The Taylor Report in 1990 required all stadia in the Football League in Britain to become all-seater, severely curtailing Goodison Park’s capacity from a peak of over 78,000 to just over 39,000, and then further to its current capacity of 39,414. This lags behind nearby Anfield, which has plans to expand to 62,000, and is much lower than Old Trafford (74,310) and other stadiums.
Previous stadium proposals
The possibility of a move to a new stadium was first mentioned around 1996, when then-chairman Peter Johnson announced plans to relocate Everton from Goodison Park to a new 60,000-seater stadium at a different site. By 2001, King’s Dock had been identified as the location for a new 55,000-seater stadium, scheduled for completion around 2005, but these plans were abandoned due to funding difficulties.
Everton entered into talks with Knowsley Council and Tesco in June 2006 over the possibility of building a new 55,000-seat stadium, expandable to over 60,000, in Kirkby. The plan, known as The Kirkby Project, underwent a public inquiry but was ultimately rejected by the central government. Local and regional politicians attempted to put together an amended rescue plan with Liverpool City Council, assessing suitable sites within the city boundary, but these efforts were also unsuccessful.
Selection of Bramley-Moore Dock
At the Annual General Meeting in January 2017, the chairman, Bill Kenwright, revealed that Bramley-Moore Dock was the preferred site for the new stadium, with a new railway station and a new road being funded by the City Council. Everton received planning approval from Liverpool City Council in February 2020 and formally broke ground at Bramley-Moore Dock in August 2021. The stadium is planned to be completed in late 2024, with a final decision yet to be taken on when the first game will be played at the venue.
Architectural Marvel: Design and Capacity
The Everton new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is an architectural marvel, seamlessly blending modern design elements with traditional influences. Its striking appearance promises to leave an indelible mark on Liverpool’s waterfront skyline.
Stadium capacity and expandability
The stadium boasts an impressive capacity of 52,888 seats, a significant upgrade from Goodison Park’s current capacity of 39,414. This increased capacity will cater to Everton’s growing fanbase and their demand for match tickets. Moreover, the design incorporates the potential for future expansion, ensuring that the stadium can adapt to the club’s evolving needs.
Unique features and inspiration
The stadium’s design draws inspiration from the surrounding maritime and warehouse buildings, incorporating traditional materials like brick, steel, and glass in a contemporary manner. The result is a stunning structure with a brickwork plinth topped by an imposing roof made of steel and glass.
One of the standout features is the 13,000-seater stand, reportedly inspired by the iconic “Yellow Wall” at Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion. This stand promises to create an electrifying atmosphere, further enhancing the fan experience.
Additionally, the stadium will feature an experience named ‘ALL,’ offering a wide range of social spaces, including pubs, bars, high-street-style restaurants, and fine-dining options. This innovative concept aims to provide a comprehensive entertainment experience for fans and visitors alike.
Integration with Liverpool’s waterfront
Situated on the banks of the River Mersey, the stadium’s design seamlessly integrates with Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront. The architectural concept pays homage to the area’s rich maritime heritage, ensuring that the stadium complements the surrounding dock buildings and enhances the overall esthetic appeal of the waterfront.
Moreover, the project includes the restoration and maintenance of several heritage assets and listed dock walls that were previously at risk or in disrepair. This commitment to preserving the area’s historical significance adds an extra layer of significance to the stadium’s design.
Economic Impact and Urban Regeneration
Job creation and local economy boost
The construction of Everton FC’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock has already kickstarted significant economic activity in the region. Almost 150 new jobs have been created due to the project, with a total of 55 apprentices now working on or contributing to it. Additionally, over 200 students have learned about the project and career opportunities within construction through a series of ongoing site activities and educational site visits.
Further employment opportunities are being made available through the supply chain partners, whose products and services will aid the construction of the new stadium. Ten new apprentices, who successfully passed through the scheme, have already started working alongside some of the most experienced tradespeople and technicians in the industry. Work placements have also been offered to local unemployed residents through a partnership with Liverpool in Work.
Recent projections have cemented the confidence behind this major new stadium by displaying an upward trajectory in economic growth and helping to drive interest in Liverpool property investment in the buy-to-let market, specifically in the north docks area where the stadium is located. Heralded as a “game changer” for the city, CBRE estimates a staggering ยฃ1.3bn boost to the local economy. In fact, Everton’s new home at Bramley-Moore Dock will contribute more than ยฃ900m to the region’s economy, even before construction has been completed!
Mixed-use development plans
The proposed development of the stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock forms one part of ‘The People’s Project,’ with the second being the demolition and redevelopment of the existing Goodison Park stadium for a mixed-use scheme. This scheme will comprise housing, commercial space, community/leisure use, and open space. Although the plans for the Goodison Park redevelopment will not progress until the new stadium is operational, an outline planning application (with all matters reserved) is to be submitted concurrently with the stadium application.
Transportation improvements
The 52,888-capacity stadium will headline a monumental regeneration scheme, one of the largest transformations Liverpool has ever seen. Especially given that Bramley-Moore Dock is positioned between the Peel Land and Property Liverpool Waters development โ a ยฃ5.5bn regeneration scheme stretching across Liverpool’s North Docks. Compounding five neighborhoods, plans for the site are wholly focused on boosting tourism levels in the city’s Northern docklands.
To achieve this, the regeneration of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site also includes new river terminals, a new cruise liner facility for the city, and a further Isle of Man ferry terminal. These transportation improvements will not only enhance connectivity but also contribute to the overall economic impact and urban renewal of the area.
Conclusion
Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is set to be a game-changer for the club and the city of Liverpool. The move from Goodison Park to this state-of-the-art facility represents a significant step forward, promising to boost the team’s competitive edge and enhance the fan experience. With its increased capacity, unique design features, and integration with the waterfront, the stadium is poised to become an iconic landmark.
Beyond its sporting significance, the new stadium has an impact on the local economy and urban renewal. The project is creating jobs, sparking development in the surrounding area, and contributing to Liverpool’s ongoing transformation. As Everton looks to the future, this ambitious undertaking not only provides a new home for the club but also serves as a catalyst for growth and progress in the region.