Manchester City: Laing O'Rourke construction company to renovate Etihad Stadium

The British construction company, Laing O'Rourke, has obtained the contract for the renovation of Etihad Stadium, announced Manchester City (Premier League) on 31/03/2014.

The current 47,800-seat capacity of the stadium will be increased to 60,000. The work mainly involves the expansion of the north and south stands, with the addition of a floor. Etihad Stadium will become the second largest stadium in the Premier League, behind Old Trafford (76,000 seats), the stadium of Manchester United.

Laing O'Rourke originally built the stadium, which belongs to the City of Manchester, to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games. With an initial capacity of 38,000 seats, the venue was first modified to destroy the athletics track. Manchester City left their historic Main Road stadium (41,000 seats) for the City of Manchester Stadium in 2003.

London architectural firm, Populous, designed the plans for the expansion of Etihad Stadium. Work will not begin on the south stand before the summer of 2014. Its capacity will be expanded by 6,000 places. All work should be completed by August 2015.

Laing…