LONDON | The O2 Arena | 20,000 | Complete

[Sparks]

- Construction has finally begun on the new arena that will sit inside the Millenium Dome with a planned opening date of early 2007.

- The capacity will be 23,000 making it the biggest arena in the UK.

Renderings

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/dome.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/dome3.jpg

The Arena will be run by Entertainment group AEG, the same guys who own The MEN and Staples Centre in L.A.

Good luck to anyone trying to get construction pics.

[JUXTAPOL]

Excellent, :cheers: that will be one amazing venue, and great for the London Olympics, hopefully in 2012. What is going around the arena inside the dome. possibly other leisure/food/hotel etc.

[brummad]

wow this looks fab

[dronkula]

Constructions finally begun? When? They kept that quiet! I would've thought they would be shouting about that from the rooftops!

[Bobser]

Now why didn't they just put that in there in the first place rather than that gash exhibition?

So Crossharbour won't start until mid-2007 at the earliest then, as they're not pulling Docklands Arena down till this is up.

[eddyk]

I dont think construction will take long...

1- Nothing to demolish
2- Construction can take place in all weathers as its all undercover

P.S
This is the best news ive heard in ages....Ive been waiting so long for this to go up!

[Englishman]

Trouble is I imagine it's a bitch lifting anything heavy as cranes wont exactly be useable in there I guess.

[london lad]

They will be working on building a square as big as leicester or trafalgar (cant remember which) -theres another thread on this somewhere with a pic

Docklands arena has been closed for ages so it wont effect whatever is finally planned for that site.

[Zenith]

god this is very exciting !! shouldnt this be added to the london projects thread?

[eddyk]

Though I hope its true....i wont believe its U/C untill i see a source saying so!

P.S
Has this Dome Arena got an official site or what?


I know for one thing....people will forget what a piece of crap the dome was when the arena opens!

Biggest in the world aswell....perfect to go with wembley!

[brummad]

biggest in the uk not world

[eddyk]

Last I heard the current biggest has a maximum capacity of 25,000....and the last I heard the Maximum Capacity of the Dome Arena will me 26,000!

Im off to find arena capacity infomation...so expect me to be back with stuff to back up my claim!

[Madman]

^ oh dear Brummad, you got him started......

[dronkula]

The Louisiana Superdome claim to the be the worlds largest indoor arena.

It's got a 'concert capacity' of 20,000. However, it's also got a maximum 'football capacity' of 72,003. So I don't know where they're squeezing the other 52,003 people.

[LegEnd]

is it just me, but on that picture it looks like the arena inside is going to have its own roof underneath the dome!?

[eddyk]

I dont care what the Louisiana Superdome says they are...its just a gosh darn american football stadium!

http://mall.ballparks.com/images/neworleansbg.gif

P.S
I never did find that stuff.....It was in the Sports Arenas section but i couldnt remember wich thread and I couldnt be arsed to go through the lot!

But I do remember another thing....the MEN arena was 14th!

[eddyk]

is it just me, but on that picture it looks like the arena inside is going to have its own roof underneath the dome!?

Yeah im sure there will be!

[dronkula]

The roof over the arena is so that they can control the acoustics better for concerts and stuff.

As for what's going on in the rest of the Dome:

From English Partnerships website.

"Part of the Dome looks directly onto the Thames and this section, from the arena inside the Dome to the river’s edge, will be known as “Dome Waterfront”. It will be fully accessible to the public and will be home to a number of additional sporting and leisure facilities, including cafés and bars. Visitors to the Dome Arena will also be able to dine in the restaurants or browse the shops located in Dome Central."

[Peyre]

were finally making use of a fantastic piece of modern architecture. Hopefully its bad reputation will be diminished if this all works out well. Its in a fantastic location, perfect for an arena.

[brummad]

dome will have a flexible seating capacity of between 18 and 22 thousand..22 being the capacity for basketball. a capacity of 26 thousand is estimated for end stage concerts with standing floor space.
source: my mate jonny's wife sarah at roberts and owen lawyers.(lawyers for site developers)

he also told me that the developers want to attract pre season NBA and NHL games to dome plus that inside the dome their will be bars, clubs, restauarants, shops, a large adaptable seating vegas style show theatre, a large casino complex plus the areas next to the dome will get a huge makover with the river side area being turned into a riverside cafe culture style area and on the other side a big hotel is to built.

looks fab eh?

[LegEnd]

Its exactly what Britain needs, a world-class and world famous indoor arena for London to rank aside Wembley, Twickenham, Lord's, Wimbledon. Its what The Dome should of been used for all along.
If the olympics come off (and probably even if they don't) then i feel London is going to be the worlds ultimate sporting city!

[Lance]

I was under the impression this was going to be the new home of the london knights ice hockey team?? It said so on their website (used to play at the docklands arena right?)

[Sparks]

Here is the official website

http://info.aegworldwide.co.uk/

I emailed them a week ago about posting construction pics on the website and I have heard nothing back so I guess that is privately a feck off to me.

[eddyk]

Good Man /\

And Lance....Yes it will be the home to the London Knights ice hockey team!

[Skopie]

I had no idea this was even planned :O Such a great idea for the site, and what it should've been all along

[Munch]

I think this is such an awesome view!!!

http://info.aegworldwide.co.uk/gallery/18.jpg

But it wont be like that because they are slamming a huge tower next to it ruining the wow of the dome!! Idiots! This really pisses me off...

Awesome to see things underway though.... wow, 2007!

http://info.aegworldwide.co.uk/gallery/02.jpg

http://info.aegworldwide.co.uk/gallery/03.jpg

[eddyk]

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=110653

Has its very own emporis page now

They call it....'The O2'

[kingdomca]

Both the NBA and NHL want european teams involved. I just think they are kicking themselves in frustration because everything they want is present in europe, just not in a single place.

Greece, Turkey, Italy and other places have a big or huge interest in basketball.
Sweden, Finland, czech rep, slovakia, Russia and others share a huge interest in ice hockey.
London have everything they want outside the actual sport. Mega business center + huge general interest in sport makes London probably a world center for sports business. On top of that there is the language and many americans live there.

The only problem is the very low standing of both ice hockey and basketball

[eddyk]

Ice Hockey is actually bigger there than most people think....I myself went to the EIHL final in Nottingham a few months ago.

EIHL is also shown on the NHL channel in the USA

Ive heard many people say UK Hockey compared to that accross the Atlantic and not of that accross the channel.

Attendences my not be huge....but even the smallest of teams pull in around an average of 2000 fans a game....I think Manchester pulled in an average of 8000 a few seasons ago...and has sold out 17,500 a few times.

A Hockey World Cup win is what this country needs.

[Medo]

Go London Knights!!!

http://www.knightice.co.uk/images/photo_gallery/0001/valliere.jpg

[LegEnd]

it would be good to have a team in the NBA or NHL but how the hell would something like that work with the huge distances involved, east to west coast of the states manages to cause problems. Still, it would work better in UK than anywhere else in europe

[Lance]

I dont think there would as such be U.K based teams in the NHL or NBA. probably have something more along the lines of a champions league.... a few top teams from each area competing. That would make sense.

[london lad]

According to the wharf- The core is almost complete already- It must be the most hidden construction site in London hidden unders its giant roof. These also mention of a Rogers designed hotel & casino complex (& a slighlty veiled bit of blackmailing from AEG- give us a casino or we wont build the hotel ;) )

http://icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk/thisweek/news/tm_objectid=16213172%26method=full%26siteid=71670%26headline=hotel%2dplea%2dfor%2dthe%2do2-name_page.html

PLANS for a luxury hotel as part of The 02 development will be scuppered if the Government fails to award the scheme with a regional casino, says its owner.

Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) UK CEO and president David Campbell has admitted the 300-room hotel could be in doubt as part of a £500million plan to turn the former Millennium Dome into an entertainment hub.

He said: ``The two are completely connected; economically we need the two to work together. It is quite a risky venture to put a five-plus star hotel in this area if we don't have a casino.

The Mayor of London has publicly said there should be two casinos in London and if there is only one, this should be the site. I think missing out on a hotel will be a big loss.''


South African company Kerzner International would operate the O2's casino and resort-style hotel, designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership.

The Government is expected to announce the site of the country's super-casino at the end of 2006 as part of reforms to the Gambling Act, with Blackpool touted as a front-runnerThe O2 is part of a £2bn renegeration of the Greenwich Peninsula, from which the Government predicts it will recoup £550m for the public purse over the next 25 years.

Mr Campbell would not comment on how much the venue would generate in its first year of operation but said if the casino plans fell through it would not affect the viability of the scheme.

He added: ``The development will make a much better return overall with the casino but it can still stand on its own feet.''


In May, AEG announced a £6m a year deal with mobile phone company O2 to rebrand the Millennium Dome into an entertainment venue with a 23,000-seater indoor arena at its heart.


Greenwich Council gave outline planning permission for the project last Thursday, September 29, with the concrete core of the music arena near completion.

The first phase, to open in April 2007, will include the arena, cinemas, restaurants, an ice-rink, music club and 1,800-seat Las Vegas-style theatre.

[eddyk]

Made my day...thank you London Lad.

[bundy]

I was down at the Dome a couple of weeks back. As reported the cores are nearly fully up. There are eight of them in a ring around where the arena will be. There absolutely massive but even they are dwarfed by the dome itself. Never went down there when it was open so it was amazing to see how big it is inside, particularly as there is nothing but the cores in it at the minute.The groundworks are also looking close to completion so i presume they must be close to starting on the frame. THe only problem is the smell on site - there's very little ventilation so the smell from the soil (which is still a bit contaminated from its former use as a gasworks site) is quite ripe in the air.

[JUXTAPOL]

The official website doesn't put any development shots up (yet), so are there any insiders who can secretly get a few snap's with their "James Bond" mini camera pen...! :cheers2:

P.s. be sure not to mix up your mini camera pen with your mini gun pen, otherwise you will shoot yourself in the eye... :nuts:


Dome website here (http://info.aegworldwide.co.uk/)

[Sparks]

Appeared in the mirror

THE DOME OF ROCK'N'ROLL
£500M PLAN LOOKS A MASSIVE HIT
By Kevin O'Sullivan

WHOPPING white elephant, national laughing stock and a giant thorn in New Labour's side... For five years, the government has winced at the very mention of the Millennium Dome.

Since its main attraction - a deeply unpopular cross between a fun fair and an educational exhibition - was cancelled due to lack of interest, it has assumed an aura of tragedy.

Lying neglected to the east of London, the £730million structure soon fell into disrepair.

But it's now poised for a remarkable transformation that could see it become the country's prime music venue, hosting gigs by the likes of U2, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones.

US firm Anschutz Entertainment Group is pumping £500million into the vast project, while mobile phone company O2 is sponsoring its rebirth to the tune of £6million.

These are the first pictures of what the rejuvenated Dome - to be renamed The O2 - will look like when it reopens in 2007.

Advertisement
Falk AdSolution

It will include a 23,000 capacity arena, a more intimate "music club" with 2,200 seats, a theatre, the British Music Hall of Fame and The O2 Exhibition Bubble.

Not forgetting at least seven bars and 10 restaurants all housed under that curved roof.

"The O2 is a stunning building which, sadly, became a sort of national joke," says David Campbell, London-based chief executive of AEG Europe.

"But now it's going to be a real jewel in the nation's crown - something we can all be proud of."

And live music will be the key to its success. AEG already controls the Colosseum, at Las Vegas's famous Caesars Palace - where Elton John and Celine Dion have signed multi-million dollar residency contracts.

It also owns the Staples Center in Los Angeles - which is breathing new life into a previously rundown area to the south of Hollywood.

Music business veteran Irving Azoff is looking forward to The O2's unveiling. "I can't think of a more sure-fire bet than this project," he says.

Azoff is already making plans for his top stars, including Christina Aguilera, Seal and the Eagles, to headline.

"I mean no disrespect but when the Eagles played at London's Earls Court, the guys in the band asked me if we were in Russia. It's like something out of the dark ages and the sound quality is appalling.

"It's extraordinary that a city like London, with such a formidable reputation for great music, doesn't really have a decent place to stage major bands.

"This venue will make life so much more pleasant for the people who want to see live music."

Although the development won't be up and running until 2007, the biggest names in pop are already competing to stage The O2's history-making inaugural performance.

And bosses are prepared to pay millions in a bid to pull off a major launch-night sensation - even reuniting rock icons Pink Floyd for the occasion.

Legendary acts U2, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones could also set the ball rolling.

AEG's Brandon Phillips - who managed Rod Stewart for 16 years - is in charge of luring big-name acts to the stadium. "There are about 15 major artists already lobbying to open The O2," he reveals. "And I have a wish list of a few more I'd be very interested in."

Subscribers to O2 will also reap the benefits. They can look forward to dialling up and listening to their favourite act live from the venue.

And special recordings of some of the expected 150 events a year will be made available for downloading. The O2 has already sealed prestigious deals to host Olympic events and the World Gymnastics Championship, while AEG also hopes to establish Britain's only "super-casino" at the venue, though that depends on the UK's proposed new gambling laws.

Brandon Phillips has no doubts that the massive project will prove a big hit.

"London is the best live entertainment market in the world and we aim to give the city the arena it deserves."

[inquisitor57]

I'm glad the Domes getting what it deserves. It always annoyed me that a great structure like the Dome could just be left to rot even though it has the potential to be special.

[DarJoLe]

I have some sneaky pics of the cores inside. Not that great though, but I'll post them later.

[dronkula]

Appeared in the mirror

Since its main attraction - a deeply unpopular cross between a fun fair and an educational exhibition - was cancelled due to lack of interest, it has assumed an aura of tragedy.


Grrr! It wasn't cancelled - it was always only going to run for the year 2000. And during that year it was the most popular paid-for tourist attraction in the country!

[AndrewC]

I thought the millenium dome exhibition was ace, i went three times and was entertained each time.

[Leeds Ice hockey]

Re the comments about London Knights playing at the dome...
The Knights went out of business a while ago and the London Racers were born and have played in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

Unfortunately, there were forced to pull out (http://www.londonracers.co.uk/news/london/detail.php?id=806) of this years league last week due to safety concerns at the rink they were using at Lee Valley Park.

They are currently looking for a new home with the intention of being back on the ice within a year or two, but in no way has the domes new arena been secured for them.
The Racers are looking at proposals for arenas in two seperate parts of London but at the moment there isn't a suitable venue available.

The O2 may well be an option for them, but it's by no means a certainty. Which is a pity, because I'm sure it would serve to really get hockey noticed in the UK. It's a much more popular sport than people realise, but needs some serious investment and reorganisation before it will get taken seriously.

Oh, and if you hadn't noticed, we need an arena in Leeds too, click the link (http://leedsicehockey.org.uk) to show your support!

[Ciudad Bristol]

Bristol will be getting a 10,500 seat Arena by 2008 which could host ice hockey.

I'm not sure which of these designs will be built?
http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/newsletters/images/section/483.jpg

http://www.capitasymonds.co.uk/uploaded_files/images/61_831_Bristol1.jpg

http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/additional/news/article-images/5-bristol-arena-artists-perspective.jpg

[Madman]

^ Probably the most boring one

[london lad]

Does anyone know if theres an actual building work going on around the dome site as I read today that the david beckham academy opened nearby- looks like an alright like sports hall for local kids

http://www.davidbeckhamacademy.co.uk/uk_facility.html

[DarJoLe]

No building work going on around - the Beckham Academy is just a large tent to be honest.

[dronkula]

Bristol will be getting a 10,500 seat Arena by 2008 which could host ice hockey.

I'm not sure which of these designs will be built?
http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/newsletters/images/section/483.jpg

http://www.capitasymonds.co.uk/uploaded_files/images/61_831_Bristol1.jpg

http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/additional/news/article-images/5-bristol-arena-artists-perspective.jpg

Cool - I've been hunting for some pictures of the new Arena and couldn't find any (obviously not hunting enough!).

I think they said they were going to announce the final design for the Arena by the end of this year - so they've got a month or so to do it.

[eddyk]

After the olympics we should have nearly 20 arenas with a capacity of over 9'000.

[Ciudad Bristol]

Cool - I've been hunting for some pictures of the new Arena and couldn't find any (obviously not hunting enough!).

I think they said they were going to announce the final design for the Arena by the end of this year - so they've got a month or so to do it.

Are you at UW Bangor then dronkula? That is my Alma Mater.

[dronkula]

Yep - just started this year. Switched from the bright lights/big city of London to the not so bright, and no-one near as big a city of Bangor.

What did you do here?

[potto]

...they are slamming a huge tower next to it ruining the wow of the dome!! Idiots! This really pisses me off...

Awesome to see things underway though.... wow, 2007!

http://info.aegworldwide.co.uk/gallery/02.jpg



I know, its frustrating! Although it could provide a sense of scale to the building which is missed at the moment

[Ciudad Bristol]

Yep - just started this year. Switched from the bright lights/big city of London to the not so bright, and no-one near as big a city of Bangor.

What did you do here?

I did a Forestry Masters between 2000 and 2001.

At least with an upgraded West Coast line you will be able to get back to London more quickly, unless you fly from Manchester.

I think the only building activity of note in Bangor right now is the new Octagon shopping centre, am I right?

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Bangor is full of gorgeous girls though, and they all come out to play when the sun shines.

[dronkula]

Shopping Centre? Nah - that's still a rundown dump. The (Wellfield) Shopping Centre has now closed and they're are plans to tear it down and rebuild it but at the moment it's just sat there, doing nothing.

However, they are currently building this at the Uni itself - the new Environment Centre for Wales

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ies/Images/Staff/Building_01.jpg

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ies/Images/Staff/Building_02.jpg

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ies/Images/Staff/Building_03.jpg

Being the Environment Centre, it's gonna have all sorts of 'green' credentials - including being heated by hydrothermal energy.

[Minnetonka]

The official theO2 site has been updated: Now has a representation of the layout..

www.theo2.co.uk/venue_layout.html

The hotel is by RRP apparently...if the casino goes ahead.

[london lad]

Hotel looks like the one Rogers designed in Barcelona

http://www.theo2.co.uk/venue_hotel.html

[SE9]

Im still divided about this hotel.

Here's some images:

http://www.theo2.co.uk/images/gallery_hotel.jpg

http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/5695/gallerynew37jo.jpg

[JDRS]

I'm divided as well but the top is fantastic!

[SE9]

^ Yep the view would be great... Canary Wharf with the City in the distance, and the Olympic site towards the north.

[DarJoLe]

Fuck me that's fucking fantastic.

I always believed when they designed the Dome it should have been more than one building, with some really futuristic, almost sci-fi type structures around it. Although this isn't daring in design, it's certainly something akin The Jetsons or Buck Rogers.

And i'm really glad it's by the same architect as the Dome, because continuation is something this area needs to maintain the vision of what the Dome was perceived as being originally.

[DarJoLe]

http://www.theo2.co.uk/images/site_plan_full.jpg

[london lad]

SE9- Where did you find those images- I could only fin the first image on te dome website.

It does look like a cracking Rogers design BUT it will only be built if the dome gets one of the regional casino licenses & even then the decision is at least a year away as its still being debated in parliament- Still I would rather the casino gos here than at wembley.

[Munch]

Very excited about this project! This and Battersea power station, simply awesome developments, better than any single skyscraper, a real testament that we can still build 'locations' as well as buildings.

Still concerned about the the tower though, great design, but i think a tower so close compromises the dome....

Whatever the result, it will be fantastic though, this dome is a world landmark, and will be an international tourist attraction upon completion - largest dome in the world is quite the title.

[SE9]

SE9- Where did you find those images-

I found em both on the website ;)

From the menu on the left, select "Press Centre" and then "Gallery"

http://www.theo2.co.uk/images/gallery_new1.jpg

http://www.theo2.co.uk/images/10.jpg

[JUXTAPOL]

Is much construction going on, in and around the Dome now. There are no webcams, so can someone post some pictures if possible. Thanks.

[Citrus-Fruit]

How tall is the tower?

[NEXT_2006]

100m I belive.


I cannot tell by looking at the pics if the dome will have a horse shoe style bowl...or a full bowl.

[JDRS]

100m I belive.


I cannot tell by looking at the pics if the dome will have a horse shoe style bowl...or a full bowl.

http://img495.imageshack.us/img495/4057/dome9nd.png

[NEXT_2006]

This is what was confusing me....renders like this.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7767/water3jk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[DarJoLe]

It's a U-shape, the stage is in the south-west corner.

[NEXT_2006]

:gaah:


I hope not...how do you know it will be shaped like that for sure?

The MEN arena is the only arena in the UK where the stands are set out like an 0 rather than a U...and the MEN is by far the best arena in the UK.

[Citrus-Fruit]

Is it bollox ;)

[DarJoLe]

I hope not...how do you know it will be shaped like that for sure?

Er...because the pictures and plan show it is....

How do you do a stage show in an arena that has seating all round?

[eddyk]

How do you do a stage show in an arena that has seating all round?


Erm, the MEN seems do it fine...and so do all the big arenas in North America.

I think the question should be...'How do they find it difficult to host a concert in an Arena with seating all the way round?'!



In the renders the arena changes...so I don't think any of us can sit here for sure and say what it's going to be like.

[DarJoLe]

Well from the plan there obviosuly isn't enough room for the seating to go all the way around, so they have the stage at that end.

[NEXT_2006]

http://img496.imageshack.us/img496/4960/waterarena8jt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Though i'm probably imagining it...I can see it like this.

[Isaac Newell]

It's not a U shape, that pic just illustrates how it would be configured for a concert.

Amazingly enough they actually close one side of the bowl. By an amazing coincidence it's the side where they construct a stage.

[Mo Rush]

uhm..its called retractable seating...

[Madman]

^he's being sarcy Mo Rush

[Sparks]

ANSCHUTZ ENTERTAINMENT GROUP CONTINUES TO GROW

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Anschutz Entertainment Group has made three new appointments to its London team as it ramps up to the opening of The O2, formerly the Millennium Dome, in Summer 2007.

Tim Rawlins joins AEG as Operations Director. With 18 years in the security industry including the Ministry of Defence and more recently, Turner Broadcasting, Tim will be responsible for the overall security of The O2. To ensure the best possible customer experience, he will also be required to build a large team of permanent full time staff as well as up to 500 part time staff who will provide help and assistance to customers during events in the Arena, Music Club and Exhibition Centre.

David Campbell, President and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, said: "Tim's experience is second to none. Security is top of our agenda for The O2 and we're glad to welcome Tim into our team."

The sales and marketing department has also been boosted with the arrival of Caroline McNamara. As Head of Sales, she will be responsible for developing and managing the event sales team as well as establishing The O2 in different sectors such as live music, family entertainment and international sporting events. Previously Caroline was at Wembley London Ltd.

David Campbell said: "We are delighted that Caroline has joined the team and has brought with her a wealth of experience and great contacts from within the industry."

René Batsford has joined as IT Director and will input into the ME Engineers to provide a state of the art IT infrastructure at The O2. When the venue opens, René will be managing a team of IT specialists who will be responsible for overseeing a number of systems which will provide support facilities for all clients using the various venues currently under construction. René has joined AEG from his position of Head of IT at Molton Brown Ltd, where he was for six years.

David Campbell said: "René's experience is vital at this stage of the design development to ensure that when we open in 2007, we are the leaders in terms of technology support for all our clients.

"All of these roles are integral to the development of The O2. Our aim is to provide the best customer experience possible and we know that these people will help make that happen," concluded Campbell.

Editor's notes

About Anschutz Entertainment Group
Anschutz Entertainment Group is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, it owns or operates some of the world's best arenas and theatres, numerous sports franchises including the Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Kings (NHL) and The David Beckham Academy, and a collection of companies dedicated to producing, promoting and presenting world-class live entertainment.

In May 2005, Anschutz Entertainment Group announced that it had joined forces with O2 to help transform the former Millennium Dome and the surrounding area into the UK's most exciting and technically advanced music, sport and entertainment destination. It has been renamed 'The O2' and will open in 2007.

Anschutz Entertainment Group employs more than 3,000 staff in over 45 operating companies worldwide. Its international head office is at STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, and its European headquarters is now based in London.

About The O2
The centrepiece of the multi-billion pound development will be an indoor arena for up to 23,000 fans that will host at least 150 world-class music, entertainment and sport events in its first year of opening. Within the facility there will be The O2 Music Club with a capacity of over 2,000, an ice rink called The O2 Ice Pad, a 'bubble' shaped world-class exhibition space and a vibrant 'entertainment district' featuring a variety of bars, restaurants, retail and leisure facilities.

The O2 is an official venue for the 2012 Olympics hosting both the gymnastic and basketball events.

The Greenwich Peninsula
The £5b comprehensive regeneration of the 190 acres of the Greenwich Peninsula is being led by Lend Lease and Quintain Estates and Development plc, who together have formed Meridian Delta Limited (MDL) and entered into a long term joint venture with English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency.

Over the next 15 to 20 years, the site will be transformed into a new 15 million ft² (1.4 million m²) masterplanned community with a unique blend of residential, entertainment, business, retail and community uses. Planning permission was issued in early 2004 and will see the delivery of 10,000 new homes (including 38% affordable housing), the creation of 24,000 long-term job opportunities, new retail and community facilities and landscaped open space.

Anschutz Entertainment Group is responsible for building and operating The O2 (under the roof of the former Millennium Dome) and the immediate surrounding area as part of the redevelopment. This area will be transformed into a major leisure and entertainment district. Anschutz Entertainment Group is also responsible for operating the David Beckham Football Academy on the Peninsula.

[eddyk]

It's surprising this isn't getting more coverage.

[Its AlL gUUd]

^^Its all indoors, hard to take pics

[Peyre]

its not getting press coverage, because now the press won't be able to moan about it being a white elephant

[Irish Blood English Heart]

I know what he means though, we never heard the end of the Dome before, now something is actually happening we hear nothing from the media!

[Peyre]

I'm willing to bet that 90% of the public still thinks its sitting there rotting away.

[Accura4Matalan]

I had no idea this was U/C :o

[eddyk]

See lol ^^

[eddyk]

^^Its all indoors, hard to take pics

I meant press coverage.

but yes, one of the most exciting things Under Construction in Europe at the moment...and I never hear about it off of this site.

I've heard people metion the dome will be used at the 2012 olympics...but that's it.

[DarJoLe]

Why should the Press care that the Dome is finally being used for something? They were the ones who destroyed any chance of it being a success in the first place.

[Ciudad Bristol]

Logically, this should be the new home for the LondonFlyers (or what evr the Ice Hockey club is called now). I saw a programme a few months back saying that there were no new Ice Hockey venues in London (apart from Streatham and Leyton - or somewhere) and they didn't even mention this!!!

[Medo]

There was a full report on the Dome (O2 Arena) in tonight's BBC London news and they showed the inside and everything, by the looks of it they've already raised the roof the the Arena :cheers:

[Robert23262]

http://javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('4903412','news','ukfs')

[Medo]

^^ bad link :no:

[Sparks]

I saw part of it on bbc news 24.


Dome legacy is 'good for future'
The construction site of The O2
There venue will host events for the 2012 Games
Developers of the Millennium Dome are confidant its legacy will be a help and not a hindrance to its future.

The venue in Greenwich, south-east London, is undergoing a £600m revamp to become an entertainment complex.

Renamed The 02, it is due to open in July 2007 and will house 11 cinema screens and a 23,000-seater arena.

David Campbell, AEG Europe president, said: "The fact that people start with such low expectations means there's only one way to go.. and that's up".

Tutankhamun exhibition

Up to 150 events are planned for the first year and the complex it to host basketball and gymnastic events for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The redevelopment of the Dome is part of a £4bn regeneration of the Greenwich area which will see 10,000 new homes, new offices, shops and a hotel.

It is thought the 02 will house a Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibition in 2007.

Subject to obtaining the appropriate licence, it could also feature a casino. Other facilities include a theatre, ice rink, bars, restaurants and cafes.

an artist's impression of the new inside of the Millennium Dome, now called The O2
The O2 hopes to host acts like Madonna in its first year

On Wednesday, journalists were shown how the roof of the arena has now been hoisted onto eight huge concrete blocks to stand just four metres below the Dome's own 170ft-high roof.

They also saw work continuing on a giant "street" which will include shops, bars and restaurants and will be open to the public free of charge.

Former Dome minister Lord Falconer has said that the regeneration deal should give the government back about £550m over the next 20 years.

Troubled times

The £758m Dome had a troubled year after opening to the public in 2000.

There was much criticism of its contents and continued calls on National Lottery money to bail out the project when the estimated 12 million visitors' figure only reached just over six million.

Government regeneration agency English Partnerships has responsibility for the Dome, which is currently costing the agency around £35,000 a month to maintain.

English Partnerships will hand over full responsibility for the Dome to AEG when work inside is completed in 2007.

The government announced in October last year that maintaining the Dome between July 2001 and September 2005 had cost taxpayers more than £30m.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/uk_enl_1144859095/img/1.jpg

[DarJoLe]

Stunning. Simply stunning.

It's amazing no-one knows what's going on in there. In fact, I actually like that, and when it opens will be such a surprise and good kick in the teeth to the people who thought it was a waste of money to build.

[Sparks]

ditto with Wembley

[Peyre]

at last some media coverage, albeit it small :D

It should be on national news. And people will indeed be left red faced after all the White Elephant bollox. Ditto with Wembley.

[terryfied]

IThe venue in Greenwich, south-east London, is undergoing a £600m revamp to become an entertainment complex.

As impressive as is it, why is it that anything built in London seems way overpriced to similar projects in other parts of the world?

[JDRS]

I saw it on BBC London as well. Looks like it's coming on well and can't wait to see the finished thing.

[SE9]

Nice to see how they raised the roof. There's also a good picture of the interior on the Evening Standard.

[Sparks]

Here we go!

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57327206.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=E3A33B54CA52535B3128C6833C65A09A

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57327194.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=E3A33B54CA52535BB9F0E1602A616667

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57327176.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=E3A33B54CA52535BEB52E21F0E88AE77

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57325507.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6267E63677851D188329DF394FE942516

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57325502.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6267E63677851D1884E9C89C783688B46

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57325500.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6267E63677851D188A55A1E4F32AD3138

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57325494.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6097DA57B4D717867F06BF04B24B4128C

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57325493.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6097DA57B4D717867C7631F868A8C7D54

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57325235.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6FECE8FBA9A46CC1A591E7EC1A351FC8B

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57325219.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6B6DD6CF59DE0AB5F810F755E003CBEB8

[eddyk]

Yes, Sparks is a legend.

I would kiss you if I could.

[Gherkin]

Wow! How did you get those? Sneaking?

[Medo]

in the news they showed a 3d animation of what it will look like when it's finished, I wonder it that animation is available for download somewhere

[LondonerUpNorth]

The dome is massive! (sorry, only just realised!)

[mrstar]

Fantastic pictures.

Any news of the official capacity of the Arena?

x*

[iceatcs]

Fantastic pictures.

Any news of the official capacity of the Arena?

x*

23,000 i think, but not sure if it is official.

[SE9]

Hehe, Greenwich Borough's finest. Nice pics.

[bazzup]

I spoke to one of the architects who was involved with this redevelopment at an early stage. He said that it was ridiculous that a building of this scale had originally been built without any of the support facilities you need to run it properly - there was nothing underground in terms of service levels, etc. I think that is one of the reasons why it was so difficult to find a buyer and why work appears to have been so slow until now - it was largely subterranean.

[dronkula]

Incidentally, does anyone know when it's actually going to reopen? The Wharf this week is saying July 2007 - but it still looks like there's a lot of work there to do.

[bazzup]

Incidentally, does anyone know when it's actually going to reopen? The Wharf this week is saying July 2007 - but it still looks like there's a lot of work there to do.

All the reports are saying July 2007, that's the official line from AEG. I'd say it's possible - the fit out could be turned around in a year. It's comparable to the timeline for Wembley Arena's redevelopment, which involved a thorough makeover.

[Peyre]

Wow! How did you get those? Sneaking?

gettyimages. validated press photography organisation. BBC London news had a peak, with live video footage from within it, so I guess they allowed photos too.

[SE9]

http://static.flickr.com/74/169761410_3f6d0ab6b8_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/64/169760525_2cc649dce0_o.jpg

[Medo]

Are those pictures recent? :?

[SE9]

Nah, 4 months old. I can't find anything newer.

[DarJoLe]

Doubt you will. I went as part of Open House Weekend but they didn't allow photography. Suffice to say the arena in the centre is more or less physically complete, and they are working on the facilities surrounding it now.

Also the Millennium Plaza out the front is being lanscaped, and the walkway from North Greenwich station to the entrance of the Dome is being constructed.

Well on their way to completion next summer.

[high_flyer]

They have been very tight lipped about this project, rarely updated their website or released pictures

[mrstar]

http://www.theo2.co.uk/

Jt is opening it.

[Sparks]

Not much better than Bon Jovi.

[DarJoLe]

Inspirational spire heads for the sky
by Bridget Harrison,
26 October 2006 13:01

A twisted and tapering stainless steel spike – taller than the Albert Hall – was erected outside the O2 dome yesterday.

The Peninsula Spire will be a permanent riverside feature in Peninsula Square, a spectacular new outdoor space for London and part of the redevelopment of the dome site. The area is due to open in 2007.

At 147ft and weighing 34 tonnes, the sculpture is the tallest of its kind in the UK.

It was designed by London-based architects Barr Gazetas and structural engineers Whitbybird.

The spire was transported to London from Switzerland in three pieces on flat-bed trucks before being welded together and erected within 45 minutes. By night, coloured creative lighting will transform the Square and the Spire.

The dramatic regeneration of the dome site will include 10,000 new homes, as well as a huge office and retail district.

[SE9]

I was just about to comment on seeing this... its glinting caught my eye as I was on the bus. I got a photo, but not the best quality... (bus window):

http://img273.imageshack.us/img273/1763/dsc07392aa1.jpg

[jef]

I have just seen your construction pics inside the Dome, South. It is really impressive.

[DarJoLe]

To be honest, there's 12 spires there already...

[high_flyer]

I'm just pleased that this great building is being re-developed, and London will have another quality venue

[delores]

why is the interior looking like a funny combination of art deco cinemas?

[Jake_the_Peg]

why is the interior looking like a funny combination of art deco cinemas?
They claim that Art Deco is timeless and so won't date like a modern design.

[Zenith]

Art Deco is timeless, and I wish it was used much more

[Luke]

I have tickets to the opening event, cough cough. No taking the piss or I won't post my pics.

[Mo Rush]

tennis masters cup at the O2 dome...just magic

[DarJoLe]

Got my tickets for Justin on the opening night.

[Ciudad Bristol]

Just bought Justin tickets too. Would be rude not to on opening night.

[Sparks]

This is the seating plan for the concert, seems a bit strange.

http://media.ticketmaster.co.uk/en-gb/tmimages/venue/maps/uk1/11000s.gif

[DarJoLe]

Looks alright to me.

[mrstar]

Seems to be a horseshoe layout similar to Sheffield Arena and the old London arena excpet that it has fixed lower bowl seating all round.

23,000 seats and not a full bowl wow. I think it's gonna be nice and steep and big!

Got tickets for the opening night too and it's 'in the round' which will look shithot!

[Sparks]

I can't see it being 23,000 if it is a horseshoe shape.

I'm a bit disappointed as I expected it to be a full bowl shape.

[DarJoLe]

I don't think it was ever designed to be a full bowl.

[delores]

Art Deco is timeless, and I wish it was used much more

I agree art deco done well is great, but that was over 70 years ago and i feel its just going to look like a bad pastiche and look more like a tragic theme park than something in the 21st century. We seem to be afraid to have a style of 'our times' and this place above all is where it should happen. It looks like an american idea of how to 'theme' somewhere. Oh well another lost opportunity. It has Trocadero written all over it. I however like the arena and think its a great addition the area.

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Shame its not a full bowl like the MEN arena, really makes the place look great during sporting events, and doesnt really get in the way of the stage for music events.

[El Supremo]

Has it been confirmed that the London Knights ice hockey team will play in the o2?

[Sparks]

They have a new tour guide on the 02 website.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/02dome.jpg?t=1168665836

[Noostairz]

i. like. it.

who knows, after a while people might start to associate the dome with something positive and exciting, rather than it just being that expensive piece of shit that the government messed up.

that'd be nice.

[jef]

They have a new tour guide on the 02 website.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/02dome.jpg?t=1168665836

I really like it.

[El Supremo]

Looks really good, would look even better with a hockey match going on though :banana: I really really hope a London team will play there so I can go and visit!

[1LONDONER]

Thats looks nice!

Cant wait to visit it

[Sparks]

Unofficial site visit.

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=7845

[Gherkin]

^^ Good find. The arena's starting to take shape, and how did they get on top of the dome? There are some stunning views of Canary Wharf from there.

[The Hunted]

Great pictures, there is the panoramic view of the arena on page 3 and other shots of the interior.

[eddyk]

I think I might go watch the London Knights in a game next season :P


You know in US arenas they have electronic advertisements, like at Old Trafford or the Emirates stadium...I hope they have them at this arena.
In the picture above it seems as if they might...

I was also wondering if it was going to have an 8 sided video thing at the top...and it does.
The London arena had the first one outside of north america...but that's been demolished?

[eddyk]

This appears to be a great project, and working on time and to budget...

So the media don't give a crap...

[Sparks]

This appears to be a great project, and working on time and to budget...

So the media don't give a crap...

Indeed, but no news is generally always good news on construction projects.

5 months to finish the whole thing though, it's going to be tight.

[eddyk]

That's why the workers were there in the middle of the night it seems.

[El Supremo]

I think I might go watch the London Knights in a game next season :P


Do you know something about the Knights returning? At the moment nothing's been confirmed, although I really hope they do play there as I want to go and visit!! There are also rumours that an NHL game will be played there next season.

[eddyk]

I know as much as you..

But they have been on about moving to the O2 arena for ages.

I assume they will.

Maybe the arena will see the creation of a new team, or a new basket ball team for the BBL.

Much like I expect from the Kings Dock Arena in Liverpool.

[eddyk]

Where on earth can I find the tour on the 02 website?

Where sparks found this pic... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/02dome.jpg?t=1168665836

[eddyk]

http://media.ticketmaster.co.uk/en-gb/tmimages/venue/maps/uk1/11298s.gif

[El Supremo]

http://media.ticketmaster.co.uk/en-gb/tmimages/venue/maps/uk1/11298s.gif

Are they trying to tell us something?!!!

[Adam2707]

Ive just found these renders dont know if anybodys seen them.
sry if these have been posted.

http://www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/images/what/masterplan.jpg
http://www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/images/cgi/parkside.jpg
http://www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/images/cgi/central.jpg
http://www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/images/cgi/o2.jpg

[Sparks]

Where on earth can I find the tour on the 02 website?

Where sparks found this pic... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Sparkynufc/02dome.jpg?t=1168665836

The tour seems to have disappeared :nuts:

[eddyk]

One thing about this, is that rough designs first showed up in 2002 back when it was first proposed.

So it's gone from the drawing board pretty much to opening in only 5 years, for a project this size that's quite something.

[eddyk]

I found these pictures taken 8 weeks ago...

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/72810170.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=8AF8AF6A335E5B08E250369FA24C876E
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/72808326.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=8AF8AF6A335E5B085020403A299C8B66
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/72808013.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A62BB6D4792B77AEE6C7631F868A8C7D54
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/72813656.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A65B1AE248F8F494514EF3EA9A178B7582
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/72809529.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6BE1638454B9C8A6F810F755E003CBEB8


LONDON - DECEMBER 12: Construction continues inside of the O2 Arena at The O2 on December 12, 2006 in London, England. The construction, on the site formerly known as the Millennium Dome will cost over GBP600 million and will transform the venue into an entertainment complex. A cinema complex, a 23,000-seater arena and potentially Britain's first super-casino will be contained inside when it opens in July 2007. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Caption:
LONDON, United Kingdom: Construction work at 'The O2' (formerly Millennium Dome) building is pictured in Greenwich, south-east London, 12 December 2006. The project's promise is to be the largest entertainment destination of its kind in Europe. Playing host to over 150 music, entertainment and sporting events in its first year, it will be the first new Olympic venue to be completed for the 2012 games. AFP PHOTO/BERTRAND LANGLOIS (Photo credit should read BERTRAND LANGLOIS/AFP/Getty Images)

[Isaac Newell]

On the Channel Five hockey programme, the Canadian bloke said that he will be making an announcement for the NHL on February 14th (or 7th I forget).

Could be something to do with the dome.

[jakkk]

i hope they paint the spires a different colour! anything other than the nasty yellow, perhaps blue to go with the O2 or black might look quite classy.

[DarJoLe]

They are staying yellow outside of the Dome as they have become iconic and is part of Rogers' styling. Plus they give a bit of colour to an already bland palette of buildings nearby.

Inside the Dome they will be either become part of the structures surrounding the arena or will be painted more sympathetic to the surroundings.

[Monkey]

This development will spoil the Dome's beautiful silhouette from absolutely every angle!

http://www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/images/what/masterplan.jpg

[eddyk]

I have been wondering if maybe all the fumes from the exhaust would have maybe discoloured the underneith of the dome...

[dronkula]

Does anyone know if the Hotel bit will still go ahead now that Greenwich hasn't got the Super Casino?

[Munch]

This development will spoil the Dome's beautiful silhouette from absolutely every angle!

http://www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/images/what/masterplan.jpg

It wouldnt bother me if that tower were not slammed up against it like that. Get rid of the tower - why have a tower there?? A bit further back in the urban parts then yes it would be fine, but right up on the edge of the Dome, doesnt make any sense to me.

[eddyk]

I believe the hotel (The tower) was only going to be built if greenwich won the bid to have the super casino...which we now know it wont...

[DarJoLe]

£350 million of investment into the Peninsula won't happen now. Not sure what this means for the housing and regeneration prospects now.

[Ciudad Bristol]

Wasn't the hotel suposed to form the "2" of the O2 logo when viewed from the air? i.e. the Heathrow approach path.

[eddyk]

Would be cool.

The Dome being the 'O' obviously.

[JDRS]

Wasn't the hotel suposed to form the "2" of the O2 logo when viewed from the air? i.e. the Heathrow approach path.

lol well it doesn't look very much like a '2' to me. I think the £350m that now will be lost was only for the cable car to CW, hotels, casino and some entertainment venues.

[bosshog_uk]

Well the NHL news seems to be this...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2762817

NHL seems to be playing 3 games at the O2 to open next season, 1 exhibition and 2 regular season games. It'll be awesome really. I'd guess the NBA won't be far behind, as they toured Europe last pre-season, and now they finally have a "NBA standard" facility in Europe I'd think they'd be back pretty soon.

[marrio415]

Well the NHL news seems to be this...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2762817

NHL seems to be playing 3 games at the O2 to open next season, 1 exhibition and 2 regular season games. It'll be awesome really. I'd guess the NBA won't be far behind, as they toured Europe last pre-season, and now they finally have a "NBA standard" facility in Europe I'd think they'd be back pretty soon.

We already have an nba/nhl standard arena with the men arena in manchester

[bazzup]

£350 million of investment into the Peninsula won't happen now. Not sure what this means for the housing and regeneration prospects now.

I don't think it will have any impact on the housing projects. All the decision to give Manchester the casino will do is mean that the hotel and some of the other leisure facilities won't go ahead (in the short term). The Dome never needed a casino. It's one stop on the Jubillee Line from Canary Wharf, close to Royal Greenwich and there's loads of new housing being built towards the southern end of the peninsula.

[cinosanap]

That spiral thing spoils it, so does the tower.

[DarJoLe]

The tower won't be built now.

[Sparks]

Talks begin over NHL in London

The Elite League are in discussions over staging two National Hockey League matches in London in September.

Two fixtures between Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks would be played at the O2 Arena in London over the weekend of September 29-30.

Elite League chairman Eamon Convery said: "It would be great to see a series of competitive NHL games played in London or elsewhere in the UK.

"We look forward to a satisfactory conclusion to our discussions."

Convery added: "The fact the proposed games are provisionally scheduled on a key weekend for normal league fixtures is a matter which we need to have addressed."

[El Supremo]

Tickets are on sale now...

http://www.theo2.co.uk/web/guest/booking/event?id=6

[bosshog_uk]

Its cool, I just picked up tickets for both games. Tickets for the NBA game are also on sale at Ticketmaster and I picked up some of those too. Its a good month for us British fans with the NHL, NBA and NFL all playing games here in the space of 4 weeks.
:) :) :)

[marrio415]

Its cool, I just picked up tickets for both games. Tickets for the NBA game are also on sale at Ticketmaster and I picked up some of those too. Its a good month for us British fans with the NHL, NBA and NFL all playing games here in the space of 4 weeks.
:) :) :)

just goes to show that london is the capital of world sport and by that i mean look how many countries are using londons facilities for games

[Sparks]

The tickets are expensive though aren't they?

[eddyk]

Yeah I had a look, Like the cheapest for the NHL game are £40.

In the USA the cheapest at say the new york rangers is £8 or something.

[El Supremo]

Apparently, the Saturday game is already sold out.

[Peyre]

The tower won't be built now.

good. Awful location.

[GNU]

and now they finally have a "NBA standard" facility in Europe I'd think they'd be back pretty soon.

There are quite a few NBA standard arenas in Europe.

[potto]

The tower won't be built now.

thank fuck for that. Is that official or a feeling?

The peninsular regeneration has been planned for decades, before casinos were invented by politicians seeking short term regeneration cash headlines. So it means that we wont get any taky souless entertainment venues on the peninsular but the housing part is profitable in its own right.

[DarJoLe]

thank fuck for that. Is that official or a feeling?

The tower was the hotel which was dependent on having the supercasino to be built.

[Monkey]

^ Great news. It was a terrible plan.

[dronkula]

Hotel planned as venue looks forward to July opening
Mar 8 2007
By Emma Midgley
http://icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk/thewharf/headlines/tm_headline=hotel-planned-as-venue-looks-forward-to-july-opening%26method=full%26objectid=18719997%26siteid=71670-name_page.html

IT MIGHT not have won the supercasino deal - but The O2 is in talks to bring a major hotel group to the site.

Phase II of the development at the former Dome was originally dependent on winning the gambling licence.

Had it been granted to the venue's owner, AEG, two 320 and 500-bed hotels would have been built alongside the casino by partner Kerzner International. Kerzner has since pulled out of building the O2 hotels following the failed bid. The latest news on accommodation at the Greenwich Peninsula site was revealed during an exclusive Wharf interview with Philip Beard, chief executive of The O2, and former marketing manager for London 2012, who told us how the venue is gearing up for its opening in July.

The construction work is nearing completion and most of the venue's 30 restaurants and bars are poised to move into the giant entertainment complex within the next few weeks.

Mr Beard said everything was going well for the arts and sports events planned as part of Phase I of the Dome's development - the 23,000-seater indoor arena, 11-screen cinema, 30 restaurants and bars, 2,000-seater live music club and nightclub.

He said: "The casino only makes up four per cent of the space inside The O2. People forget that."


Take That's announcement that they would play The O2 has sent demand for corporate boxes soaring.


Mr Beard said: "When the ticket lines opened for Take That, so many people called up that Ticketmaster went down for a couple of hours.


"We have a number of suites that Canary Wharf companies have reserved, which means they can go and see any concert or event at The 02 in a corporate box.


"We had people ringing up to check their suites were still reserved when they heard Take That were coming here."


Tickets for sporting events such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) have not provoked quite such an enthusiastic response from fans. But Mr Beard says seats are selling well. "Five thousand were sold within 24 hours of the box office opening for NBA games, which is good," he added.


With tickets on sale for the NBA at prices ranging from £250 for courtside tickets to £15 in the cheap seats - and that's to watch Celtics (who are unlikely to make the play-offs) and the LA Kings (bottom of their five-team division) - The O2 is keen to attract well-heeled Wharfers to the venue.


Mr Beard also spoke about the large nightclub planned, taking The O2 back to the days when it hosted New Year's Eve parties with the Ministry of Sound.


AEG will apply for a "very late licence" for the venue. And clubbers need not worry about finding a taxi in the small hours of the morning - special "party boats" will take people to and from the venue.


Mr Beard, who is based in the Citigroup building in Canary Wharf, said that he hoped people would make the journey over to The O2 for meals, lunchtimes and evenings out as well as concerts and sporting events.


He said: "Whatever you thought about the Millennium Dome, whatever you think about what we're doing, just come over and take a look.

"It only takes minutes to come over here from Canary Wharf. It's the only way you'll understand what we are trying to do here."

[GNU]

I was arguing some time ago that currently the O2dome looks very similar to the renderings of the O2world (uc) in Berlin.
In wonder if they turn out to be the same in the end?



Heres the O2world thread.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=444156





.

[bazzup]

Hotel planned as venue looks forward to July opening
Mar 8 2007
By Emma Midgley
http://icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk/thewharf/headlines/tm_headline=hotel-planned-as-venue-looks-forward-to-july-opening%26method=full%26objectid=18719997%26siteid=71670-name_page.html

IT MIGHT not have won the supercasino deal - but The O2 is in talks to bring a major hotel group to the site...


"It only takes minutes to come over here from Canary Wharf. It's the only way you'll understand what we are trying to do here."

Well, well, well. This is exactly what I was saying - the Dome never needed a super casino. As a development opportunity, one stop from Canary Wharf on the Jubilee Line, it is a prime site, casino or not. Hotels and other businesses will come in their droves.

[potto]

doh! Dam that stupid hotel!

[potto]

having said that... it might provide a much needed sense of scale...

[GNU]

Does anybody know what the capacity is for the dome in Icehockey mode?

[Dave_PAFC]

20,000+ I think.

It looks amazing, especially when you come in from the outside and see it can boast a 20,000+ all-seated arena, along with all the other things, tardis-esque. Its good to see the Dome is being turned into something which will be of great benefit to London and the whole country.

[El Supremo]

Now all we need to finish the Dome off is for the London Knights ice hockey team to make a return...

[marrio415]

Now all we need to finish the Dome off is for the London Knights ice hockey team to make a return...

couldn't agree more:)

[Sparks]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/6467483.stm

Dome to host 'top-class' one-offs

By Matt Slater

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42705000/jpg/_42705535_domeseats270.jpg

The Millennium Dome will become a world-class indoor sports venue, according to its new owners.

Renamed The O2 arena, it has been given a £600m refit and will be "comfortably ready" for its planned opening in July.

Already chosen to stage basketball and gymnastics at the 2012 Olympics, "The O2" will host a series of big sporting events over the next five years.

Venue boss Philip Beard said: "We will bring the best international sport to London's most exciting indoor space."

The North Greenwich site's chances of success as a sports venue will be helped by the fact its proprietor, the Los Angeles-based Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), is the world's largest owner of sports teams and sports events.

The company, part of US billionaire Philip Anschutz's business empire, owns five ice hockey teams in the US and Europe, three US football teams and an American lacrosse team.

It also has stakes in a number of other sports franchises, including the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers.


I think the terrible preconceived ideas that many people used to have about the Dome are going

Philip Beard
Chief executive, The O2
And The O2 is not AEG's only high-profile British sporting investment. The company recently bought former England captain David Beckham for its Major Soccer League franchise the Los Angeles Galaxy. It also owns the Manchester Evening News Arena.

The first sports events scheduled for The O2 are two games to open next season's National Hockey League campaign and a National Basketball Association pre-season match.

On 29 and 30 September, the Los Angeles Kings meet local rivals the Anaheim Ducks in the first two regular-season NHL games to be played in Europe.

The basketball clash, on 10 October, pits the Boston Celtics against the Minnesota Timberwolves. That game is part of NBA Europe Live, a four-team tour that incorporates training camps and seven games in six European cities.


606: DEBATE
Will it work? Will you go? Or is the Dome doomed forever?

Matt Slater
Venue chief executive Beard told BBC Sport: "The beauty of this building is its versatility. It can be converted from an ice hockey set-up to basketball in a matter of hours.

"And while the initial focus is going to be more on music and family-type events, world-class sport will be a key component. We are hosting the 2009 World Gymnastic Championships and we are speaking to sports like tennis, cycling, boxing, football and many others."

Beard confirmed that AEG was in talks with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) about the possibility of staging the Masters Cup. The ATP season finale is currently held in Shanghai but that contract runs out in 2008.

He also said he was confident, given the evidence of the early ticket sales for the NBA and NHL games, that there was an appetite for "the very best US sport" in the UK.

The Millennium Dome
An iconic London landmark or an expensive white elephant?
"I'm certain both will want to come back in the very near future," he added.

Beard admitted, however, that perhaps the biggest challenge he faces will be overcoming the negative connotations that have connected themselves to the venue since its inception in the mid-1990s.

The Dome, the largest single-roofed structure in the world, was built to hold a year-long exhibition to celebrate the beginning of the third millennium. But the project was dogged by controversy and cynicism.

That controversy grew as the exhibition came to its conclusion - having attracted just over half of its projected number of visitors - and a coherent plan for the building's future failed to materialise.

One year and considerable amounts of political finger-pointing and public money later, an "exclusive partner" for the site was appointed in December 2001. That partner was Meridian Delta Ltd, a subsidiary of AEG.

Meridian, together with government agency English Partnerships, was given a 999-year lease to run the Dome and regenerate the surrounding 190-acre site in a joint venture worth £5bn over 20 years.


I am confident (The O2) will compare with any venue of its type in north America

Andrew Messick
NBA senior vice president
The Dome was initially supposed to re-open in 2004 but deadlines were missed and the saga dragged on - the most recent chapter coming in January 2007 when the government handed a super-casino licence to Manchester and not, as was expected, the Greenwich venue.

That decision led to fears that "The O2" (AEG sold the building's naming rights in 2005) would be mothballed but they have not been realised, and Beard said "the finances were fine".

"I also think the terrible preconceived ideas that many people used to have about the Dome are going too," he said.

The new plan is for the arena, which can seat 23,000 people, to stage 150 events in its first year. There is also a permanent 2,200-capacity music venue, an exhibition space, an 11-screen cinema and 30 restaurants and bars. A 1,800-seat theatre is planned for later.

The business model for the venue is the AEG-owned Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Opened in 1999 at a cost of $375m (£191m), the multi-purpose complex is home to five different LA sports franchises - the NBA's Clippers and Lakers, the NHL's Kings, the Women's National Basketball Association's Sparks and the Arena Football League's Avengers.

Minnesota's Kevin Garnett blocks Celtics star Paul Pierce's shot
Minnesota's Garnett and Celtics star Pierce will be big draws at The O2
It has also staged numerous entertainment and political events, such as the Grammys and the Democratic National Convention.

Unlike the Staples Center, however, Beard said there were no plans for The O2 to have a "permanent sporting tenant" in the near future.

American pop star Justin Timberlake is scheduled to open The O2 on 4 July, although Beard suggested, with building work set to be completed by early June, an earlier event could still be added.

Andrew Messick, the NBA's international development boss, was clearly impressed by what he saw of London's newest entertainment venue.

At The O2 earlier this month to help promote the Celtics v Timberwolves game, Messick told BBC Sport: "We've talked about bringing an NBA game to the UK before but there have always have been a few stumbling blocks.

"Cost is a big one but another has been that there hasn't really been the right venue in the UK.

"Well, that is about to change. I am really impressed by what I have seen and I am confident that when it is finished it will compare with any venue of its type in north America."

[GNU]

Does anybody know where to find updated pics?

Here are a few but theyre a bit old already.

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=7845

Judging from the pics I would say that the O2-world and the O2-dome will probably end up with the same capacity.

[Sparks]

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/_images/db/46/60/02_final.466021.full.jpg

[DarJoLe]

Cosy.

[Sparks]

Acoustics should be good anyway.

[Schmeek]

Don't know how i missed this one. I heard it had been renamed o2 but knew nothing about what was going on inside. Very hush hush.

[Sparks]

I think it has been confirmed that the capacity for concerts is 23,000, so from that I would guess that sporting events would be around 20,000.

[dronkula]

Does anyone know if The o2 will be open generally all the time to go to the bars and restaurants in there or just when there's an event on in the Arena?

If it is open all the time, presumably it'll be free to get in and wander around?

[mrstar]

Does anyone know if The o2 will be open generally all the time to go to the bars and restaurants in there or just when there's an event on in the Arena?

If it is open all the time, presumably it'll be free to get in and wander around?

It will be open all year round. It's got a cinema, music club, ice rink, bars and food places aswell as the arena. A bit like a better Trocadero Centre!

[DarJoLe]

If it is open all the time, presumably it'll be free to get in and wander around?

Yes, from 10am to midnight or something like that. There's more than just bars and restaurants, music club, art gallery, ice rink, shops, etc.

Don't know how i missed this one. I heard it had been renamed o2 but knew nothing about what was going on inside. Very hush hush.

I think they are doing that on purpose. They don't want to taint it with the tag of 'Millennium Dome', but have got some really big acts lined up that will pull the right people to it, who will spread the word of how good it is to others.

I really hope to god it is a success. There's a lot of people out there who don't appreciate how amazing the Dome is as a structure, inside and out.

[Manuel]

The new piazza between the dome and North Greenwich Station
The grass walls are cool as well as the spike!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/473399854_26e1b31a7a_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/473399840_cad20d061d_o.jpg

[DarJoLe]

Yep looking good. They hope to have film premieres here as well away from Leicester Square, so it's great to see a new area of London opened up for this.

Hopefully over time there this part will become more animated, taking the action outside of the Dome and overspilling into this new square.

This is also, when it opens, the second Olympic venue to be completed in time for 2012.

[JGG]

Does anybody know whether they are they going to clean the roof of the dome? From the inside it looks pretty grey and dirty.

[bundy]

I know a story about this - possibly apocryphal , decide whether you want to believe it. Was told to me by one of the contractors that worked on both the original dome and its revamp as the 02. Apparently when work was completed on the dome but before all the exhibits had been put in it was noticed that the skin was looking a bit dirty due to all the dust and suchlike kicked up by the construction traffic. Decision was taken to spend £1 million cleaning it up to make it sparkle for the big day.

Once the cleaning work was done the dome bosses compared the before and after pics to see what a good job was done; only to find that they couldn't tell the difference between the two. It seems that the 'dirty' appearance of the canvas (or whatever the material is) was actually just caused by the fact that it only allows a certain amount of light through it, making it look dark, and that it hadn't actually been that dirty at all.

As i say, yer takes yer choice as to whether you want to believe this or not...

[Luke]

This is also, when it opens, the second Olympic venue to be completed in time for 2012.

What is the first? Wembley? Wimbledon?

[DarJoLe]

Wembley. In meaning needed to be constructed in time for 2012.

[JGG]

I know a story about this - possibly apocryphal , decide whether you want to believe it. Was told to me by one of the contractors that worked on both the original dome and its revamp as the 02. Apparently when work was completed on the dome but before all the exhibits had been put in it was noticed that the skin was looking a bit dirty due to all the dust and suchlike kicked up by the construction traffic. Decision was taken to spend £1 million cleaning it up to make it sparkle for the big day.

Once the cleaning work was done the dome bosses compared the before and after pics to see what a good job was done; only to find that they couldn't tell the difference between the two. It seems that the 'dirty' appearance of the canvas (or whatever the material is) was actually just caused by the fact that it only allows a certain amount of light through it, making it look dark, and that it hadn't actually been that dirty at all.

As i say, yer takes yer choice as to whether you want to believe this or not...

Well it would not be a problem if it was spread out evenly, but now it is really stained. I hope they clean it because it makes the whole thing look run down before it even opens.

[GNU]

I think it has been confirmed that the capacity for concerts is 23,000, so from that I would guess that sporting events would be around 20,000.

That would depend on the sport.
For Icehockey it will probably have 17.000 seats. (Thats the figure for the O2World atleast.)
For Basketball it might go up a little as the field is smaller.

Btw: Isnt there anyone around who has some construction pics? :dunno:

[El Supremo]

I can't wait for the two NHL games. I'm going to both of them and really hope that both will be a sell out - apparently in the first 5 days they sold 12,000 tickets. Hopefully, these two games will bring media attention throwing some light on the sport in general and in particular the UK set up (the EIHL etc).

[*England*]

http://www.capitasymonds.co.uk/uploaded_files/images/61_1560_Dome3D_mb_web01.jpg

[bantam]

My brother works for O2 and is going to the opening event thing next month or whenever it is. Hopefully he'll get some good pics...

[london lad]

It was reported today that a million tickets had been sold for concerts to the Dome already.

[OperateOnMe]

I actually miss the old Dome, they should have kept it open for longer.
Although like Wembley, it was ridiculous amounts of cash to build the place.

;) Looking forward to coming to this place ;)

[JUXTAPOL]

I actually miss the old Dome, they should have kept it open for longer.
Although like Wembley, it was ridiculous amounts of cash to build the place.

;) Looking forward to coming to this place ;)


Wasn't it built on time and on budget, a fact lost in the overall anticipated doomed 2k celebrations.

It was the millenium themed contents and events not all held in the dome, that cost a fortune, and the running of the events over the year and the subsequent keeping the place going/secured until the current developments.

The current plans look superb.

[DarJoLe]

Although like Wembley, it was ridiculous amounts of cash to build the place.

The majority of the money was spent decontaminating the Greenwich peninsula, which was a former chemical gasworks which had toxified the surrounding land.

The Dome structure itself came in on budget and to schedule.

The exhibitions were changed whilst they were being built - mainly due to no-one really knowing and making a decision early on what they were meant to be and represent. Was it a celebration of Britain? Or the world? Or the last two thousand years? Or an exhibition to look to the next two thousand? The message somewhat got lost along the way, and the exhibition designers were being asked to change their designs, ramping up the cost to ridiculous amounts. Add to that a complete lack of vision about what the dome would be used for after the millennium exhibition, and you have a recipe for disaster.

However, I can't deny that the Dome has done (albeit only now) what it was intended to do - to kickstart the regeneration of the peninsula and become a worldclass iconic venue. In a way, I doubt a private investor would have even considered this area to site an arena, or new housing; the land was just too toxic and the geography meant anything built would be difficult to get to. It needed something risky and a flamboyant structure to get people out there.

I think once people see how amazing the o2 is, and when the world sees it during the Olympics, a lot of people will change their mind over it. They might not forgive the Government for spending so much money on it, but they will (albeit secretly) be happy it was built in the first place.

[BenL]

Edit

[Adam2707]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/Adam2707/ghhghg2.jpg

The O2:nocrook:

A bit random I know, but I was going through some of my old pics and came across this.

[Adam2707]

Some pics posted by Manuel,

A102, the dome, and to the east, the Millenium Village.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/224/500713403_849feaf6d9_o.jpg

The urban park
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/500661082_e32754a4e0_o.jpg

The piazza in front of the Dome
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/473399854_26e1b31a7a_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/473399840_cad20d061d_o.jpg

[Fillet Tower]

Latest picture of The o2 Arena and article courtesy of Thisislondon (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-23399728-details/Take+a+seat+inside+the+new+Dome/article.do)

[Sparks]

Looks good

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06/03a_07_dome-arena_243x136.jpg

[Gherkin]

^^ Good find Fillet Tower. It looks quite classy inside, and very similar to American-style ice hockey/basketball arenas. :)

[Sparks]

Bigger

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06_01/domeES_468x263.jpg

[Its AlL gUUd]

Looking great!!!

[delores]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/image_galleries/o2_gallery.shtml


some more pictures of the interior..still not sure about the art deco theme park look?

[Sparks]

It will be interesting to see what they do with the "open end".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/images/2007/05/22/picture12_450x320.jpg

The jumbotron is supposed to hang from the middle of the roof so I don't think a scoreboard will go there.

[El Supremo]

This has made me really excited about seeing the two NHL games played there in Septemeber... now all we need is for the Knights to play there!

NB - there are rumours going around that AEG (the owner of the London Knights ice hockey team) have attended the last few EIHL meetings...

[Peyre]

Looking fab.

Can it be used for Indoor Tennis too?

[Sparks]

Yep, I think they were talking about the possibility of bringing the masters cup there.

[nosehairuk]

Apologies if it's already been posted, but i don't recall seeing this render before.
Gymnastics 2012:
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6425/gymnasticsdomerk9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[GNU]

It will be interesting to see what they do with the "open end".


Nothing.
It will stay open. You can see it in this rendering for the O2-world in Berlin which will get the same interior.

http://www.o2world.de/images/pressebilder/gross/o2_World_hock_south.jpg

Bit of a shame for both arenas really.
Would have been great if they wouldnt have that gap.

[Jamandell (d69)]

Looks great...although the Dome roof on the inside looks pretty dirty. I suppose they will clean that before it opens?


The arena also should be a great place to host Eurovision when we next win it! (London 2050 here we come! :nuts:)

[nosehairuk]

The arena also should be a great place to host Eurovision when we next win it! (London 2050 here we come! :nuts:)

Only going to win it if the UK enter under a fake name.

[JGG]

Looks great...although the Dome roof on the inside looks pretty dirty. I suppose they will clean that before it opens?


I sincerely hope so. Although large parts of the roof will be obscured by the new arena, there will still be enough on display and one can only hope it will look cleaner than during the building works.

[GNU]

Didnt someone post here that they tried to clean it already and that they found out that it isnt dirt?

[Sparks]

^^ Yep they spent a fair bit of money and time on that. I guess the only solution would maybe to paint the inside white.

[GNU]

I think paint would make the roof too heavy though

[DarJoLe]

Interesting the London Paper and London Lite ran a (small) piece of these new pictures of the o2 arena, praising it all and glad that London had a new arena and entertainment district.

Not surprisingly, the next day's letters page was filled with mostly negative comments, which ranged from the bizarre of noise pollution, someone saying the dome was a disaster and this will be just the same, to someone complaining about this project 'inflating the egos of even more overpaid rockstars'.

Brits really are a bunch of whinging cynical arseholes.

[El Supremo]

Nothing.
It will stay open. You can see it in this rendering for the O2-world in Berlin which will get the same interior.

http://www.o2world.de/images/pressebilder/gross/o2_World_hock_south.jpg

Bit of a shame for both arenas really.
Would have been great if they wouldnt have that gap.

I think they're putting seats in the greyish area to make a full lower bowl... at least that's the impression I got from the seating chart when I booked my NHL tickets.

[Mo Rush]

add a 50m pool and host the swim champs!

[LDN_EUROPE]

It would be great if we can get a London ice hockey team (eg. London Knights) to have this as their home there as suggested by El Supremo.

[El Supremo]

It would be great if we can get a London ice hockey team (eg. London Knights) to have this as their home there as suggested by El Supremo.

Yeah, I think it definately needs a permanent 'tenant'.

[Gherkin]

Won't it be too busy with concerts and other sports to have a permanent tenant?