Lansdowne Road Redevelopment Thread

[amaccann]

Is it wrong that I preferred the old Landsdowne?
I think the old Lansdowne had a generic / traditional look - certainly the terracing could have been from any era. Dull, dreary but ageless. The new stadium is distinctly "designed", which means there's a chance that the design could date really horribly. The true test of the stadium will be in, say, 30 odd years; will the glass-bubble look still be modern and attractive?

[EastTerracer]

I think the old Lansdowne had a generic / traditional look - certainly the terracing could have been from any era. Dull, dreary but ageless. The new stadium is distinctly "designed", which means there's a chance that the design could date really horribly. The true test of the stadium will be in, say, 30 odd years; will the glass-bubble look still be modern and attractive?

I know exactly what you mean. The Olympic Stadium in Munich must have looked positively space-aged when it opened in 1972. When you see it now it just looks very "seventies".

As you say, Lansdowne Road was timeless in comparison as it was a mish-mash of new and old stands (I still remember standing on the terrace under the old East Stand for the Spain game in 1982 before they knocked it down). I do think that it had outlived itself though - with the regulations on terracing we did need a new stadium and I haven't warmed to Croke Park over the last few years.

They are building a new Giants Stadium here in New York at the moment (less than 35 years after the original opened) and they are projecting a 30-year lifespan for the new stadium. I think we tend to look after things better in Ireland (less of a disposable society) so I reckon we can make the new Lansdowne last at least 100 years with the odd bit of window cleaning.

[Schumi]

I know exactly what you mean. The Olympic Stadium in Munich must have looked positively space-aged when it opened in 1972. When you see it now it just looks very "seventies".

I always liked that stadium. The sight of the glass roof from the big tower in the Olympic park is brilliant.

[gspain]

I always liked that stadium. The sight of the glass roof from the big tower in the Olympic park is brilliant.

Poor stadium to watch a game in though. Long way from the action.

I much prefer to new Allianz arena in Munich. Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen have great stadia too.

[Schumi]

Poor stadium to watch a game in though. Long way from the action.
I can imagine. I haven't been in it, only saw it on holiday in Munich.

[SUB of the day]

Latest pics now up on lrsdc, seats going in on East Stand......they're green :D

[mint sauce]

wow, its looking well now

[fionnsci]

Is 50,000 the absolute max they could have gotten?

[joe_barry80]

The aerial view with landsdowne & Croker on the other side is great

http://www.lrsdc.ie/gallery/singlecategory.asp?PCID=125 (1st Pic )

[rebus2008]

[QUOTE=fionnsci;1261109]Your query to the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company in relation to the stadium has been passed on to me. I have been conscious of these rumours over the past few weeks. It is a rumour and normally we wouldn't speculate on rumours but as this is reasonably easy to dispel here are the facts.

The capacity has always been 50,000 and we are happy to confirm that there will be 50,000 seats with unrestricted views of the pitch.

In addition there are a limited number of seats which could potentially have restricted views of the ground. We have, however, known about these from the outset. This is quite common in stadia. At this moment in time we are not certain whether we will even put seats into these locations. A final decision will be taken when the seats are actually being installed.

Further to that at the northern end of the ground as you will be aware there is only one tier. This is to ensure that there is no overshadowing of houses at that end of the ground.

The roof there does come down quite steeply and there is a pocket on each side where there could be restricted views. No decision whatsoever has however been taken on whether to put seats into those areas or not.

The one thing I would emphasise is that I can confirm that there will definitely be the 50,000 seats all with unrestricted and superb views of the pitch.

Hope that helps.
Best wishes.

Roddy Guiney

---------------------------------


Apparenty the "capacity has always been 50,000".

That is of subject to clarification that
"At this moment in time we are not certain whether we will even put seats into these locations. A final decision will be taken when the seats are actually being installed."

Therefore cpacity will be less than 50,000.
Why wait until final seats are being installed? Bring out a fewbog standard office chair and still them in position. View or no view?

Bigger concern, though not for this forum, relates to rugby.

If there are seats which are unsuitable for football (where ball aside from keeper) tends not to be in play at height as often as rugby, it sounds ike their could be alot of rugby fans seeing the ball go up and then wondering where it will drop back into view.

[Schumi]

Therefore cpacity will be less than 50,000.

Where did you get that from? The email you quoted said that there will be 50,000 seats with unrestricted views and they might add more seats that could have restricted views.

[The Fly]

I wish the seats were a much darker shade of green, similar to the green used in the Irish rugby jersey.
The green chosen is very dull.

[tetsujin1979]

love this shot: http://twitpic.com/swjl6

[fionnsci]

some good shots here

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/1215/avivastadium.html

the low roof still worries me

[eaststand85]

Drove past this morning for first time in ages, looks impressive but would be afraid it'll date quite quickly.

[paul_oshea]

ya i reckon the glass structure will date very quickly its like when architects think they create a masterpiece that ends up looking like a sore thumb as its not there to stand time. Something that is supposed to look futuristic turns out dating very quickly, perhaps because that designers concept of the future is way off to what it turns out to be.....

The best one is the one on the street i reckon with the backdrop. Thats deadly as its almost like a silhouette(sp?)

[Leeside Swagger]

Looks lovely but completely out of place in the area. Its like a UFO landed in D4.

[dan o d]

great stadium but it is ridiculous that 12000 of the 50000 capacity will be premium and corporate seats. that almost a quarter!
if you look at croke park only 8000 oof the 80000 capacity are corporate seats.
it doesnt take a genius to work out that this is going to effect the atmosphere.
the lowest tear is also worryingly small, and it looks like the bulk of the noise will be coming from the 3rd(top) tier, which will also reduce the atmosphere
look at the lower tier in the plans of what the stadium would look like http://images.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/content/theirfu/Landmark-interior-branded-r.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.irishrugby.ie/305_16174.php&usg=__3S1pHs73UGzEB6YCnWw6h5axwz4=&h=495&w=495&sz=56&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=quNP5mHduD495M:&tbnh=130&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daviva%2Bstadium%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1R2 GGLL_en-GBIE351%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
compared to what it looks like now in the most recent photos

[jbyrne]

the lowest tear is also worryingly small...
look at the lower tier in the plans of what the stadium would look like
compared to what it looks like now in the most recent photos

i dont think the lower tier structure is actually complete yet. probably one of the last sections to be complete to allow room for cranes etc to construct the higher parts

[OwenGoal]

some good shots here

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/1215/avivastadium.html

the low roof still worries me



Are you very tall?

[John83]

Are you very tall?
That or RTÉ screwed up and originally published the image with an "actual size" label.

[Razors left peg]

Are you very tall?

Made me laugh anyway:D

[Lamper.sffc]

Some new pics.

http://www.lrsdc.ie/gallery/singlecategory.asp?PCID=128

http://www.lrsdc.ie/gallery/singlecategory.asp?PCID=129

[Qwerty]

ya i reckon the glass structure will date very quickly its like when architects think they create a masterpiece that ends up looking like a sore thumb as its not there to stand time. Something that is supposed to look futuristic turns out dating very quickly, perhaps because that designers concept of the future is way off to what it turns out to be.....

The best one is the one on the street i reckon with the backdrop. Thats deadly as its almost like a silhouette(sp?)

I'd take the opposite view and say that buildings where the exterior is almost all glass tend to stay fresh. I think it's an elegant design which will still look good in 30 years time.

[dan o d]

it looks fairly class at night

[amaccann]

I'd take the opposite view and say that buildings where the exterior is almost all glass tend to stay fresh. I think it's an elegant design which will still look good in 30 years time.
Only if the glass is kept clean. Look at the Spire at how ugly a building / monument can get with no proper cleaning, or is made of easily dirtying materials

[Wolfie]

Only if the glass is kept clean. Look at the Spire at how ugly a building / monument can get with no proper cleaning, or is made of easily dirtying materials

They're going to need one hell of a bottle of "Windowlene" for that lot.

[gspain]

Can't wait for it to open.

Hope they get some key things right

1) Roof must cover the fans - we do get the odd drop of rain in this country.

2) Enough food, drink and souvenir outlets.

3) Sight Lines must be right


Thomond Park got 1 & 3 spot on but try getting a drink or something to eat at a game.

[eaststand85]

Can't wait for it to open.

Hope they get some key things right

1) Roof must cover the fans - we do get the odd drop of rain in this country.

2) Enough food, drink and souvenir outlets.

3) Sight Lines must be right


Thomond Park got 1 & 3 spot on but try getting a drink or something to eat at a game.

Available for anywhere between a mere €12,000-€32,000 apparently (http://www.faivantageclub.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=12). God knows what the rest of us are supposed to do if we can even get a normal ticket! :rolleyes:

[jbyrne]

Can't wait for it to open.

Hope they get some key things right

1) Roof must cover the fans - we do get the odd drop of rain in this country.

2) Enough food, drink and souvenir outlets.

3) Sight Lines must be right


Thomond Park got 1 & 3 spot on but try getting a drink or something to eat at a game.

or try having a half time leak! also, not all fans on the terrace in front of the two stands are out of the rain


also, isnt Lansdowne due to be complete in April? doesnt look likely from those photos

[irishultra]

its right beside my school :D

[jbyrne]

some ground level photos...

http://www.lrsdc.ie/gallery/singlecategory.asp?PCID=130

[SUB of the day]

It looks class in fairness, is it too soon for a poll on which is the better stadium?;)

[Onefootednopace]

Very impressive, great progress over the last few months judging by those photos.

[Leeside Swagger]

Very impressive indeed.

[Duggie]

looks class. dont like the green seats inside though, will make it look very dark and dreary inside. didnt have to have green seats....

[Lamper.sffc]

Latest pictures http://www.lrsdc.ie/gallery/photocategory.asp?PCID=34&NCID=0

Not too long now.

[elroy]

Went down for a good proper look for the first time in a good while. Was very impressed, the drop at the havelock square end isnt as bad as I thought it would be. It does look very 'futuristic'. Would have a bit of concerns that it may start to look grubby after a while. Does look more than 2 months away from completion but overall cant wait, looks really compact, will certainly be a big change to the birds eye view in croker the last few years.

[jbyrne]

video from matt coopers website here. play with HD off for best viewing...

http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Matt-Cooper/Matt-Cooper-Blog.aspx

[Razors left peg]

video from matt coopers website here. play with HD off for best viewing...

http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Matt-Cooper/Matt-Cooper-Blog.aspx

looks brilliant

[thejollyrodger]

great video, only question is those seats on the top tier with the bad view. Looks like there is a right bit of metal in between

[EastTerracer]

Some new photos up on the LRSDC website - http://www.lrsdc.ie/gallery/singlecategory.asp?PCID=133

Can't say I'm too pleased with the name on the seats though....

1597

[Serb]

Can't say I'm too pleased with the name on the seats though....

Ah it's only a minor blemish. Luckily you won't be able to see it when it's packed to the brim with 50,000 Ireland supporters ;)

[Jicked]

The massive Aviva is incredibly tacky and really cheapens what should be a proud national stadium. Other stadiums sell naming rights (well not other national stadiums, but we all expected the FAI to stoop to that) without whoring out the ground the way they are.

[DannyInvincible]

Maybe we could have a big massive bright orange Eircom logo form the centre circle as well. If even just for match-days...

[samhaydenjr]

Is it just me or is the shape of the stadium similar to the alien spaceships in the new series of "V" - Oh No - we get a world-class coach and then a world-class stadium - the invasion has begun!!!

[eaststand85]

I like it but have already heard it referred to as the 'bed pan' stadium and the 'foot spa' stadium :smirk:

[Dodge]

The massive Aviva is incredibly tacky and really cheapens what should be a proud national stadium. Other stadiums sell naming rights (well not other national stadiums, but we all expected the FAI to stoop to that) without whoring out the ground the way they are.
Isn't just the FAI involved with this. In fact they'd have come into the deal as minor partners

[tetsujin1979]

I like it but have already heard it referred to as the 'bed pan' stadium and the 'foot spa' stadium :smirk:
yeah, it looks like a bed pan to me. I've pointed it out to a few people, and now it's all they can see when someone shows them a photo of it :(

[Real ale Madrid]

Should paint a big sign on the outside:

WELCOME TO THE PALLINDROME