HOK’s London Studio Receives Planning Approval For Two UK Arenas
The Sage, a new arena and conference centre in Gateshead, and Cardiff Arena approved by respective councils
Two HOK-designed arena developments have received planning approval from their respective councils.
The Gateshead Municipal Borough Council approved plans for The Sage, the £260 million waterfront leisure development in northern England. The mixed-use entertainment district, developed by Ask Real Estate and Patrizia AG, will include hotels, bars, restaurants and retail, creating a distinctive destination on the banks of the River Tyne. The development will be operated by ASM Global.
“The Sage offers a flexible and responsive design solution for Gateshead that will allow the region to attract high-profile events and conferences while infusing the area, which already boasts rich cultural buildings and spaces, with another gathering space and entertainment destination,” said John Rhodes, director of Sports + Entertainment at HOK. “We’re thrilled to see the project progress through planning and look forward to the catalytic growth that will result from this investment in the city.”
The 12,500-seat arena will host music, cultural and sporting events, as well as conferences and exhibition. The highly flexible seating bowl design is comprised of fixed, retractable and removable seats, allowing the venue to transform to accommodate audiences as small as 1,500. The sensitive, scalable design solution facilitates pedestrian-friendly connections between surrounding development, the waterfront and Gateshead’s town centre.
In addition, plans for a highly sustainable arena and entertainment district in Cardiff, Wales also received planning approval. The 17,000-capacity venue will deliver an impressive fan experience with diverse premium offerings, a large event floor and an event piazza. Back of house spaces and amenities will help attract artists from around the world.
“Cardiff Arena will be an important addition to the city’s renowned live entertainment scene and accelerate development and reinvestment in Cardiff Bay,” said Rhodes. “The project is embedded in the city and its massing has been controlled to thoughtfully respond to its context. Cardiff Bay will once again export energy to the world in the form of live entertainment.”
Materials, including steel and wood, will communicate the connection to the waterfront, docks and the city’s rich history as a major coal exporter and producer of steel furnaces. The design prioritizes sustainability and will pursue BREAAM Excellent.
HOK’s London Studio is collaborating with Cardiff Council to bring the community’s vision for a world-class entertainment district to life. The project team also includes Arup (engineer), Gleeds (project management) and Robertson’s (developer). The venue will be operated by Live Nation and Oak View Group.
Images credit: www.hok.com
