Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron are to build a hybrid stadium/apartment mega-structure in Portsmouth, England, which will combine a new home for Portsmouth Football Club with residential elements.

The scheme was announced on April 25th, 2007.

Here is a statement from developer Sellar Property Group:

‘Portsmouth Football Club (‘Pompey’) and Sellar Property Group (‘Sellar’) today unveil plans for a stunning Waterfront Quarter. The £600m scheme will include a state-of-the-art football stadium and residential development on a 13 acre site adjacent to the city’s dockyards.

The development is being designed by Swiss-based leading international architects, Herzog & de Meuron. The firm is responsible for both the Beijing National Stadium, centrepiece of next year’s Beijing Olympics, and the Allianz Arena football stadium in Munich.

Pompey’s new stadium is planned for a site adjacent to the historic Naval Dockyards, the existing Gunwharf Quays retail and leisure centre, Portsmouth Harbour Station and ferry terminus and the Hard interchange bus station.

The project, both on the waterfront and at Fratton Park (Pompey’s existing ground), will generate several thousand jobs during the construction period and many hundreds of permanent jobs post completion.

The waterfront development will create a superb 36,000 all-seater stadium, over 1m sq ft of apartments together with a mixture of complementary leisure uses, including restaurants and cafes, and a 1.5 acre new public realm.

Pompey and Sellar also announce proposals for the redevelopment of the Club’s historic 17-acre Fratton Park site, on which Pompey has been playing since 1899. It is anticipated that planning consent for the Fratton Park redevelopment will be secured at the same time as permission is granted for the waterfront development.

A phased development of Fratton Park will create a low to medium-rise scheme in keeping with its environment. Sellar is collaborating with MAKE architects to produce a sustainable and environmentally efficient development of approximately 750 homes comprising a mixture of houses, flats and affordable housing units. Part of the site, including the current car park and adjacent land, could be developed while the club continues to play at Fratton Park.

The club and Sellar are forming a joint venture company in which both Fratton Park and the new waterfront development will be held, enabling appropriate development finance to be secured to complete the overall project. The creation of the residential and commercial elements of both schemes will contribute to the development.

Planning applications for the proposed development will be submitted in the autumn, following consultation with stakeholders. Subject to receipt of the necessary consents, work could get underway by Summer 2008, and construction of the new stadium the following year. It is anticipated that Pompey will be playing in the new stadium by 2011.

Peter Storrie, Chief Executive of Pompey, said: ‘This will be the most spectacular stadium, set against the backdrop of the harbour and the English Channel befitting the club’s history. The club will be playing a big part in the regeneration of the city and our fans will have the very best in terms of facilities and amenities as well as an excellent viewing experience.’

‘Portsmouth Football Club is moving into a new dawn with the backing of owner Alexandre Gaydamak and these are very exciting times for the club both on and off the field. The new stadium, along with plans for the club’s new training ground at Titchfield are proof of where we want Pompey to be – playing at the highest level and in a stadium befitting a top Premiership side.’

James Sellar, Chief Executive of Sellar, said: ‘We are proposing a Waterfront Quarter of the highest quality design set amidst the historic dockyards. This scheme is set to become an international icon reflecting Portsmouth’s historic and future status as one of the UK’s principal cities.’

‘The integration of 1m sq ft of apartments, stadium and enhanced public realm in this unique waterfront location enables the council to achieve its ambitions of sustainable regeneration.’

The proposed scheme is in the great tradition of English football stadia that have historically formed an integral part of their communities and social urban fabric. Location of the new stadium remains within the city of Portsmouth where more than three-quarters of the club’s fan base lives.

To this end the development’s sustainability and green credentials are underlined by the stadium’s location which will ensure the majority of supporters arrive by public transport. Apart from parking for club officials, players and VIPs, there will be no public parking as part of the scheme. However there will be sufficient parking to satisfy the demands of the residential element of the scheme.

Supporters will be encouraged to use local bus, train and ferry services, as the main termini for all forms of transport are adjacent to the stadium. As part of the proposals it is intended to create a new covered bus terminus, the roof of which will form the substantial new public space to the front of the stadium. In addition it is intended to create suitable ‘park and ride’ centres enabling fans from further a field easy access to the stadium.

The residential element of the waterfront development, comprising approximately 1,500 apartments, forms a promenade with views across the Solent. The promenade will include hanging gardens to provide a unique coastal living environment.

On the southwest waterfront side the development will rise to 22 storeys reducing to 11 storeys in the northeast corner as it adjusts in scale to take into account the city and the historic dockyards. The sweeping bowl shape of the scheme will, together with the Spinnaker Tower, change the city skyline and continue the regeneration of this part of Portsmouth.

While the scheme aims to reclaim approximately 13 acres from the present harbour, water will continue to play a prominent role as it is intended to replace the small boat moorings facility on the landward side of the development and enhance the wider public realm to include the beach. It is also planned to create a new dock area to the north of the site enabling HMS Warrior to be re-sited but equally accessible by the public.’