West Ham United FC has sold the Boleyn Ground football stadium to developer Galliard Group, which plans to redevelop it into a 700-home village after the club moves to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.
The club said it was “impressed with Galliard Group’s links to the local community and its commitment to honouring the history of the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground as part of its proposed development”.
Galliard wants to build homes, a ground-floor retail and leisure offering and underground parking.
It will now open a consultation with Newham council on a future masterplan for the site, which would involve a 30-month construction programme and a late 2018 completion date.
The group also plans to build a Bobby Moore Memorial Garden as a nod to the club’s heritage, while a poll would be held for fans and residents to name each building after club events and figures.
Galliard has also commissioned sculptress Frances Siegelman to create a statue of Bobby Moore and other artwork celebrating the heritage of the football club.
West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady said: “We opted to reach an agreement with Galliard because it is a local London developer and employer with origins in east London. We know it is committed to working closely with the local community and Newham council on proposals to transform the site into a residential and retail village, which will benefit the local community and east London’s regional economy.
“The deal demonstrates that we have been true to our word by securing the regeneration of two areas of east London through our move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.
“In addition, and most importantly for us, we can see that Galliard is passionate about working with West Ham United to engage the team’s supporters to help deliver a fitting legacy that will honour the tradition of the famous ground. We are confident that West Ham United fans will be excited about their vision and the way they plan to respect more than 100 years of West Ham history at Upton Park.”
Galliard chief executive Stephen Conway said: “Galliard is one of London’s most successful regeneration specialists and has a proven track record in stadium land regeneration. Working closely with West Ham and Newham council, Galliard now plans to undertake extensive consultation with local residents and businesses and the West Ham United Supporter Advisory Board in order to create a future for the site, which is respectful of the cultural and economic diversity of the local area.”
Galliard Group is committed to an open and wide-ranging consultation on its plans for the iconic site, including full engagement with Newham council, as the relevant planning authority, as well as with local residents and businesses.
Newham mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “We have always maintained that West Ham United’s relocation to Stratford had the potential to deliver an Olympic legacy beyond Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as a key part of the comprehensive regeneration of Green Street and Upton Park. The prospect of much-needed homes, jobs and community spaces for this area is an exciting one.”
chris.berkin@estatesgazette.com
