Lord’s Cricket Ground set for major £61m redevelopment

Lord’s cricket ground is set for another multi-million pound redevelopment as the venue’s owner, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), approved plans to invest £61m in improvements.

The project will see the Tavern and Allen Stands – the two oldest stands at Lord’s – being transformed and capacity increased by 1,100. The redevelopment will see an extra tier added to both stands. In the Allen stand, this will be facilitated by the relocation of the scoreboard. In the Tavern stand, it will involve the introduction of a new cantilevered fourth-floor seating level above the retained existing structure, which is extended back to the site boundary.

The existing Allen Stand dates to the 1930s and will be demolished entirely. Designed by architects WilkinsonEyre, The Tavern stand’s roof profile is inspired by the shape and ribbed construction of a series ofupturned traditional slip cradles, and continues the theme of innovative architecture around Lord’s. Food and beverage facilities of the stands will also be improved, including the introduction of pitch-facing bars at all levels. Expected to be completed by 2027, the work follows a significant £53m overhaul of its Compton and Edrich stands in 2021.

John Graham Construction Ltd is the preferred bidder for the main contract to build the development and MCC will now proceed to finalise the contract with them over the coming weeks.