Barcelona FC unveil New Palau Blaugrana and set out plans for €600m sports district
by Kim Megson | 02 Mar 2016
FC Barcelona has unveiled new images and a video for the New Palau Blaugrana – a multi-sports and concert arena created by US sports architects HOK and Spanish practice TAC Arquitectes.
The highly flexible complex will comprise three areas that can operate independently: a 10,000-seat arena, an auxiliary court for 2,000 spectators, an ice rink with room for 800 spectators and a campus for the club’s football academy, FCB Escola.
The main sports hall, sat within a large bowl, will meet the requirements of basketball's Euroleague and will host matches for the club's basketball offshoot, FC Barcelona Lassa, from the 2019/2020 basketball season. A large LED screen on the lower portion of the stadium's rooftop will screen footage from games.
The court will feature 18 VIP boxes, two ‘skybars’ and configurable seating – all of which will allow the venue to host cultural events such as concerts.
“This site has tremendous potential,” said Daniel Hajjar, managing principal for HOK’s London office. “We look forward to working with the Barcelona City Council, the Barça technical teams, the residents of Barcelona and TAC Arquitectes to further develop and integrate our concept.”
Espai Barça
The New Palau Blaugrana, which replaces a facility built in the 1970s – is part of a much wider planned sports district called Espai Barça, which the club says will be “the most important sports project in Europe and the world.”
New details of the financing, design and long-term vision for the €600m (US$651.9m, £467.4m) scheme have been revealed by the club ahead of a major announcement, expected this month, on the architecture team who will redevelop the Nou Camp into a “state-of-the-art, 105,000-capacity stadium that will be one of the very best in the world.”
In addition to the New Palau Blaugrana, the Espai Barça district will include the new-look Nou Camp alongside a 6,000-capacity UEFA category III Miniestadi for its youth teams – designed by Batlle i Roig Arquitectes.
In addition, new administrative buildings will be constructed, existing facilities will be reorganised and the club’s museum and shop will be expanded.
“The project will generate new opportunities for the our social and economic development, increase revenue and the value of the club’s assets, boost sponsorship, improve conditions for our athletes, recover architectural excellence, achieve environmental sustainability and create venues for a 21st century Barça,” said the club. “It reflects a trend shaping sports districts across the globe as they aim to generate activity 365 days a year.
“This is every Barça fan’s dream, one that will become a reality and a legacy to be enjoyed by future generations.”
The club added that funding will be generated for these projects “without affecting the club’s sports or its members.” It said that €200m (US$217.3m, £155.8m) will be raised in exchange for adding a name to the stadium and it will also receive a syndicated loan.
A recent report by professional services firm Deloitte revealed Barcelona is the second richest club in Europe, with 2014/15 revenues of €560.8m (US$609.3m £426.6m). Arch rivals Real Madrid – who are attempting to develop their own facilities – topped the list.
Barcelona FC Espai Barça Parc Blaugrana Barcelona La Liga architecture design Nou Camp
US sports architects HOK and Spanish practice TAC Arquitectes have designed the New Palau Blaugrana Credit: FC Barcelona
The asymetrical bowl-shaped complex will display sports footage on a rooftop LED screen Credit: FC Barcelona
The stadium will host games for the club's basketball offshoot Credit: FC Barcelona
The main court has a capacity of 10,000 spectators Credit: FC Barcelona
Work will be completed in time for the 2019/2020 basketball season Credit: FC Barcelona
The venue can also be configured to host concerts Credit: FC Barcelona
The New Palau Blaugrana is part of a much-wider sports district planned to propel the club to global dominence Credit: FC Barcelona
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FC Barcelona has unveiled new images and a video for the New Palau Blaugrana – a multi-sports and concert arena created by US sports architects HOK and Spanish practice TAC Arquitectes. The highly flexible complex will comprise three areas that can operate independently: a 10,000-seat arena, an auxiliary court for 2,000 spectators, an ice rink with room for 800 spectators and a campus for the club’s football academy, FCB Escola.
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