Work began on fitting the new roof on to the Olympic Stadium today, with the first of the iconic triangular floodlights being removed later this week.
The three-year project to transform the venue in to West Ham’s new home will turn the historic 80,000 seater stadium into a 54,000 seater football ground, which will also be fit to host several other major sporting and cultural events.
And today work began on removing the iconic triangular floodlights ready for the construction of the arena’s new roof, which will be twice the size of the original.
Hammers’ Vice-Chairman Karren Brady told whufc.com: “This marks a key milestone in the stunning £200million transformation of the Olympic Stadium, one that will culminate in an iconic new home for our club.
“The roof is a truly phenomenal design that will enhance the iconic status of this sporting arena and help to lock in the world-famous atmosphere that our supporters create when we play at home.
“There will also be an innovative seating solution that will bring fans closer to the pitch, new hospitality areas and a bespoke ticket office and club store.
“We are wholly committed to delivering a state-of-the-art home for West Ham United by 2016 that will honour the Olympic legacy pledge. Today represents another significant step toward that hugely exciting goal.”
The roof, measuring 84 metres at its deepest point, will be the world’s longest cantilevered roof and will provide cover for every single seat in the stadium, while the floodlights will retain the look of the current triangular lights but will instead be integrated into the new roof.
Work on the new roof is due to be completed by spring 2015, ahead of the fit-out of concessions, toilets, turnstiles and hospitality areas.
The stadium will be completed in time to host four 2015 Rugby World Cup matches before the club officially move in the following summer.
