Redevelopment work begins on London Olympic Stadium
Construction work to transform the London 2012 Olympic Stadium into a permanent sports and cultural venue has begun at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
During the work the stadium's capacity will be reduced from 80,000 to around 60,000 and a new roof will be fitted, covering every seat in the ground and improving the venue's acoustics.
New retractable seating will also be installed so the lower bowl can be protracted and retracted depending on the type of event taking place, allowing closer pitch side football views while retaining an international class running track.
Work is expected to be completed in time for the stadium to host five games during the Rugby World Cup in 2015. West Ham United Football Club is due to move into the stadium and make it its permanent home in 2016.
London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) has agreed contracts worth more than £67m for the redevelopment on behalf of E20 Stadium Company - a joint partnership between LLDC and London Newham Council set up to manage the venue. Carey's has been appointed lead contractor for the project.
LLDC chief executive Dennis Hone said: "These works will ensure the Stadium will be a flexible venue used throughout the year, delivering a truly lasting legacy in east London.
"From the lighting of the cauldron to 2012 stars like Mo Farah, Hannah Cockcroft and Usain Bolt storming to victory, this iconic Stadium holds some special memories. Today paves the way for the Stadium's next chapter and I am sure it will host many more inspirational moments over the decades to come."
The stadium was designed by architects Populous and was built at an estimated cost of £486m.
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
Creating the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York involved meticulous planning. Its director Alice Greenwald tells us more