Plans for a spherical 90m-tall London entertainment venue operated by the Madison Square Garden Company have been submitted.
The MSG Sphere, which would have a diameter of 120m, would be wrapped in triangular LED panels which, when active, will showcase a range of static and moving images including digital art, content related to current and future events in the venue, and advertising and partnership branding.
The fully-programmable exterior would enable “complete control” over the light emitted by the building – including the ability to dim, turn on, or turn off all, or portions of, the exterior.
Inside, the main venue would have a scalable capacity of up to 17,500 seated, or 21,500 when there is a mix of seated and standing. It would also feature the largest and highest-resolution LED screen in the world, a haptic flooring system that will convey bass through the floor and wireless connectivity that delivers 25 megabits per second for every guest.
In addition to the main venue, the plans for MSG Sphere feature a smaller music club/nightclub, retail space, a café, restaurants, and outdoor spaces.
It is expected to take three years to build and create 4,300 construction jobs.
The building would sit on a 4.7-acre site in Stratford, which has been left empty for more than six years, since last being used as a temporary coach park during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Jayne McGivern, MSG’s executive vice president of development and construction, said: “This is an opportunity to take an inaccessible coach park and use it to support thousands of jobs, and billions of pounds of economic benefit.
“Our plans make training and local hiring a priority and would create a premier destination that serves as a long-term investment in the future of Newham, London, and the UK.
“If our plans are approved, we believe MSG Sphere will complement London’s existing venues and drive overall growth in the music and entertainment market – benefiting residents, artists and fans.”
