BAM has been confirmed as the contractor for a new 23,500-capacity arena in Manchester.
The venue would be the largest arena in the 海角视频, bringing £350m private direct investment into the city and significant economic benefit.
The appointment of a contractor follows an announcement last week that Oak View Group (OVG) – the US based global sports and entertainment company founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015 – had submitted formal plans for the arena to be built in the Eastlands area of Manchester, next to Etihad Stadium.
The project is expected to create around 3,500 jobs during construction and over 1,000 new jobs once it is up and running.
Subject to successful planning approval, it would take three years to build and could host its first events as early as 2023 OVG has said.
OVG also announced Populous as the principal architect and designer of the new venue while BuroHappold, ME Engineers, Vanguardia, Turner & Townsend and Deloitte will make up the project team that will deliver the scheme.
Tim Leiweke, co-founder and CEO of Oak View Group, said: “I’m thrilled that we have put together a project team of such calibre, and with such strong links to the beating heart of the North West – Manchester.
“While we are living in uncertain times, we know that Manchester and its people are resilient. And we look forward to being intrinsic to the redevelopment of the east of the City, working in close partnership with local people who are the most important part of this project.
Most Read
“Manchester is a thriving and vibrant city – and along with BAM, Populous, and our other incredible partners, we are excited about a new addition to its entertainment scene in the coming months.”
BAM has built stadiums across the world, and has been active in the North West since 1933, having built the City Football Academy, the National Graphene Institute and the Co-operative Group HQ.
Ian Fleming, regional director for BAM in the North West, said: “Manchester has become a vast and vastly impressive city. Nevertheless, this visionary development will stand out for a long time to come.
“Having built some of this incredible city’s most important and recognisable structures, BAM is a perfect fit for the scale and quality of the scheme. We bring a highly sophisticated and sustainable construction approach coupled with our well-known collaborative ethos.
“What that means for Manchester is not only a world-class arena, but our commitment to the city as good partners will see us use this fantastic opportunity to help develop skills and people’s life chances, as well as generating exciting local economic benefits.”