A US-backed consortium has lodged an audacious £135m bid to transform the Millennium Dome into Londons premier rock concert venue.
The consortium, fronted by Paul Stansfield of Pilton Land, includes Roger Lewis of RLD. The management companies of rock star Michael Jackson and magician David Copperfield have expressed interest in the scheme.
Government adviser Lazard has been told that a major US venture capitalist is backing the bid.
Nomuras Dome bid architect SMC Holdings, headed by Stewart McColl, is now working on the new design brief.
With Wembley Stadium out of action for the next five years, the consortium views the Dome as the perfect venue to stage music events ranging from rock to opera. Acoustic protection would be offered to local residents.
Stansfield described the consortiums basic concept: “If you regard the Dome as half a table-tennis ball, we would insert half an inverted ping-pong to create a 70,000-seat auditorium, and this will still leave 850,000 sq ft for educational or leisure use.”
Lewis, who is also working on a proposal for a 160m tower, said: “We think we can improve on the Nomura concept and actually bring a lot to the party that a creative developer can bring to a scheme, as opposed to a creative banker.”
He denied that the Dome was a temporary structure. “The re-roofing issue is a non-issue – there are 50 years of design life within that roof with maintenance.”
A US investor believed to be involved in the deal said: “Its a fabulous building and it would be terrible if it did not become a great one.”
EGi News 14/10/00
