Birmingham City Council approve new designs for iconic venue

Birmingham City Council has granted planning permission for the 100m GBP upgrade to Aston Villa’s North Stand, designed by Tenderstream member Grimshaw. The proposals increase the capacity of the stadium beyond 50,000 and, as part of the Aston Villa’s commitment to the local community, enable Villa Park to operate as a year-round destination. The design - a distinct change from the gated Villa Park of today - dissolves the boundary between the stadium and its surrounding streetscape, transforming the fan and visitor experience and enhancing the civic focus of the club.

Villa Park is one of the oldest recognised football venues in the UK, with Grimshaw’s concept taking reference from the 125-year history and the heritage of the surrounding area. The new stand matches the height of the renowned Holte End opposite, whilst its roof form is carefully shaped to blend with the surrounding context of the site. Articulated brickwork and metal cladding respond to the rich industrial heritage of Aston, with facades punctuated with entrances that open onto a generous new pedestrian concourse. 

The new concourse, Villa Way, leads to a new building, Villa Live, which accommodates the box office, retail store, multi-use event hub, and a fan experience zone, alongside café and bar space. The car-free environment of Villa Way will ultimately form part of active routes around the stadium and beyond, laying foundations for future connections to Aston Hall and the new Brookvale Inner City Training Academy, currently under development, as well as local transport links.

Francesco Calvo, President of Business Operations, said: “We are delighted that we have been granted planning permission for the North Stand development….The approval from Birmingham City Council allows us to continue to invest in our facilities to deliver a first-class matchday experience for our supporters, as well as helping to make Villa Park a go-to destination for concerts, events and the local community.”

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

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