Manchester City Football Club has submitted £300 million proposals to increase its stadium capacity and construct a year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad.
The Premier League outfit has lodged plans for several connected all-weather facilities that will be fully integrated into the stadium and centred around an expanded North Stand. The extension, which will boost the ground's capacity to more than 60,000, comprises the construction of one larger, upper tier above the existing tier.
Above the upper tier, the club plans to construct a sky bar with overlooking the pitch, as well as a stadium roof walk. A covered fan zone, dubbed "City Square", with space for 3,000 people and several food and drink outlets, a new club shop, museum and a 400-bed hotel are also proposed.
The hotel and food and drink outlets will sit on the left flank of the development, with all other facilities in the right flank. LED screens, around four stories in height, will also feature at the end of each flank. Plans submitted to Manchester City Council follow a of a club consultation, where fans and the local community were invited to share their feedback on concepts and designs.
Work space for use by start-up and medium-sized organisations "looking to co-locate and collaborate" with the club, City Football Group and Etihad Campus partners also feature in the planning submission. The football club leases the Etihad from owners Manchester City Council. The stadium was designed by Arup and has a capacity of 53,400.
According to documents submitted by Deloitte on behalf of the club in December, the City Football Group and its partners have "overseen over £700 million of investment" into the Etihad Campus and East Manchester since 2008.
Danny Wilson, managing director at Manchester City Operations, said: "Over several months we have been developing concepts and designs for a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium and are delighted to have now submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council.
"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our fans and the local community for their participation in our recent consultation, not only for completing the questionnaire but sharing their detailed comments and feedback with us, all of which has been carefully reviewed and considered."
Wilson added: "As with all Club developments, ensuring our local community benefit is a key priority and we believe these proposals will deliver long-term economic and social opportunities, building on the regeneration work delivered in East Manchester by City Football Group since 2008.”
Other teams improving their stadiums in the North West include Everton Football Club, who are building a £500 million, 52,888-seater stadium. The Bramley-Moore Dock development is part of the wider £5 billion Liverpool Waters scheme, which is regenerating the 60 hectares of former dockland along the River Mersey into sustainable mixed-use neighbourhoods.