Khalifa Stadium set to become first Qatar World Cup venue to be completed
Construction works on the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar are set to be completed by the end of 2016 – making it the first of the 2022 World Cup venues to open to the public.
The stadium, which originally opened in 1976, is undergoing its second major redevelopment, following a restructuring in 2005, in order to host the 2006 Asian Games. At the time, Cox Architecture and its JV partners PTW and GHD upgraded the open-air facility from 20,000 seats to a partially covered 50,000 seat venue.
The current works on the stadium will see capacity set at 40,000 and it being brought into line with FIFA requirements – as well as the introduction of innovative cooling technology to ensure an optimal temperature for fans and players.
To help with the cooling, Khalifa will be sheltered under a new “tent” roof structure, which will cover around 70 per cent of the stadium.
Facilities at the stadium will include food courts, retail outlets, multi-purpose rooms, VIP lounges and a health center. The stadium will also host the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.
Khalifa Stadium – which has played a leading role in Qatar’s plans of becoming a host of major sporting events – is located within the Doha Sports City complex, which also includes the Aspire Academy, Hamad Aquatic Centre, and Aspire Tower.
Aspire Zone Foundation’s project manager for the the Khalifa works, Mansoor Saleh Al Muhannadi, said: “We’re very happy with the rapid progress of renovation works at the site.
“Khalifa International Stadium is moving to new heights with structural work in concrete and steel, and the vertical structure is now at level eight while strengthening works are also underway. We expect the stadium to be handed over by the main contractor at the end of 2016.”
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
From climate change to resource scarcity, Exploration Architecture uses biomimicry to address some of the world’s major challenges. Its founder tells us how