Selhurst Park Redevelopment: Plans and Progress

Crystal Palace Football Club is one of the oldest and most beloved football teams in London, with a rich history dating back to 1905. Selhurst Park, the club’s home stadium since 1924, has undergone several renovations and updates over the years to keep up with the changing times and growing demands of fans.

In recent years, the club has been working tirelessly on a major redevelopment project that will transform Selhurst Park into a modern, state-of-the-art stadium fit for the 21st century. The ambitious project, which is expected to cost over £100 million, will see the stadium’s capacity increase from 25,486 to 34,259 and will include a new main stand that can hold up to 13,500 spectators.

The Selhurst Park redevelopment project is the single biggest undertaking in the history of Crystal Palace Football Club, and we are excited to see the transformation of our beloved stadium. The project will not only improve the match-day experience for fans but also provide new year-round community facilities. Let’s take a deeper look at the Selhurst Park redevelopment project and provide updates on its progress.

Background

Crystal Palace Football Club has been based at Selhurst Park since 1924. Over the years, the stadium has undergone several renovations and expansions. However, in recent years, the club has been working on a major redevelopment project to modernize and expand Selhurst Park.

History of Selhurst Park

Selhurst Park was originally built in 1922 for the London Olympics. However, it was later sold to Crystal Palace FC, who made it their permanent home in 1924. Over the years, the stadium has undergone several renovations and expansions to increase its capacity and improve its facilities.

In 1969, the Main Stand was rebuilt, and in 1995, the Arthur Wait Stand was replaced. In 2004, the Holmesdale Stand was expanded, increasing the stadium’s capacity to over 26,000.

Current State of Selhurst Park

Despite these renovations, Selhurst Park is now in need of major modernisation and expansion. The current capacity of the stadium is 25,486, which is relatively small compared to other Premier League clubs. Additionally, the facilities are outdated and do not meet modern standards. 

The club has been working on a redevelopment project for several years, with the aim of increasing the stadium’s capacity to over 34,000 and improving the facilities. The project is expected to cost over £100 million and will involve the complete rebuild of the Main Stand, as well as upgrades to the other stands.

The project has faced several delays, with an amended planning application submitted in 2022 after four years of delays. However, the club is now edging closer to starting the redevelopment project, which is considered crucial to securing a more sustainable long-term future for the club.

Redevelopment Plans

Crystal Palace Football Club has been working on a major redevelopment of Selhurst Park for several years now. The proposed changes to the stadium would increase its capacity from 25,486 to 34,259, and create a modern, state-of-the-art facility for fans and players alike.

Proposed Changes to Selhurst Park

The redevelopment plans include a new main stand that would hold 13,500 spectators, up from the current 9,000. This new stand would be the centrepiece of the project, and would be designed to provide better views of the pitch, improved facilities for fans, and more space for corporate hospitality.

Other changes to the stadium would include:

• A new entrance and concourse area
• Improved facilities for disabled supporters
• Upgraded floodlights and sound system
• Improved pitch drainage and irrigation systems

Timeline for Redevelopment

The redevelopment project has been subject to several delays, but the latest planning application was submitted in September 2022. The club has received planning permission for the revised plans, and construction is expected to begin in the near future.

The club has not yet announced a timeline for the redevelopment, but it is expected to take several years to complete. The new main stand is likely to be built first, followed by the other changes to the stadium.

Cost of Redevelopment

The cost of the redevelopment is expected to exceed £100m, and the club has been working hard to secure funding for the project. The new facilities are expected to generate additional revenue for the club, and it is hoped that the project will pay for itself within 5-7 years.

The club has not yet announced how the redevelopment will be funded, but it is likely to involve a combination of private investment, bank loans, and other forms of financing.

Impact on the Community

Economic Impact

The Selhurst Park redevelopment project is expected to bring substantial investment into the borough of Croydon. According to the Crystal Palace Football Club, the project will exceed £100m of investment. This investment will create job opportunities for the local community, both during the construction phase and after the redevelopment is completed. The project will also increase the capacity of the stadium, which means more people will be visiting the area and spending money in local businesses.

The redevelopment project will also have a positive impact on property values in the surrounding area. As the stadium becomes more modern and attractive, it is likely that more people will want to live nearby. This increased demand for housing will drive up property values, which will benefit local homeowners.

Environmental Impact

The Selhurst Park redevelopment project is committed to minimising its environmental impact. The project will incorporate sustainable design features, such as rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and energy-efficient lighting. The new stadium will also be designed to reduce waste and promote recycling.

The project will also improve the local environment by enhancing the area around the stadium. The new stadium will be surrounded by green spaces, which will provide a much-needed break from the urban landscape of south London. The project will also include new pedestrian and cycling routes, which will encourage more people to walk or cycle to the stadium, reducing the number of cars on the road.

Social Impact

The Selhurst Park redevelopment project has the potential to create a virtuous circle for the local community. As more people visit the area to watch football matches, local businesses will benefit from increased trade. This increased trade will enable local businesses to hire more staff and expand their operations, which will in turn create more job opportunities for local people.

The project will also benefit the local community by providing new community facilities. The new stadium will include a community hub, which will be used for a range of activities, such as training courses, workshops, and community events. The project will also create new opportunities for local people to get involved in the football club, such as volunteering and work experience programmes.

Conclusion

After conducting extensive research on the Selhurst Park redevelopment project, we can conclude that the proposed plans are ambitious and exciting for Crystal Palace Football Club and its supporters. The proposed redevelopment will exceed £100m of investment and will increase the capacity of the stadium from 25,486 to 34,259. The new main stand will hold 13,500 spectators, which will make the ground the 11th biggest stadium in the Premier League.

The project is expected to take up to three years to complete, and it will create a modern and state-of-the-art facility for the club. The new stadium will not only provide an improved Crystal Palace match day experience for the fans but will also generate significant revenue for the club. According to reports, the expected annual revenue from the structure should be around £15 million, which means the project would pay for itself in 5-7 years.

The proposed redevelopment is not just limited to the stadium; the club is also planning to build a new training ground and academy. The club’s chairman, Steve Parish, has stated that the project is something they are absolutely committed to, and supporters can appreciate the scale, complexity, and enormity of this project. Read more about what he has to say here.

Overall, the Selhurst Park redevelopment project is a significant investment for Crystal Palace Football Club, and it demonstrates the club’s ambition to compete at the highest level. We are excited to see the new stadium take shape and look forward to the future of the club.