MCC announces next Ground improvements for Lord's

MCC is pleased to announce that London-based practice WilkinsonEyre has been appointed as architect for the redevelopment of the Tavern and Allen stands at Lord’s.

The project is the latest in the programme of facilities upgrades at the Home of Cricket, as MCC continues to improve the match day experience of MCC Members and visitors alike.

The Tavern Stand will be stripped back to its underlying steel framework, to enable the stand to be extended and completely rebuilt, while the smaller Allen Stand (parts of which date from the 1930s) will be demolished and a new building constructed in its place.

The appointment of WilkinsonEyre, which was made following a design competition, extends their successful working relationship with MCC, established through the design and delivery of the Compton and Edrich stands. The largest construction project in the Club’s history was completed for the 2021 cricket season and the resulting stands provide integrated facilities while increasing the seating capacity by 2,600.

With sustainability and inclusivity at the forefront of the redevelopment, the Compton and Edrich stands were recently the recipient of a coveted Civic Trust Award, given to projects that make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment.

The Tavern and Allen stands are situated close to the principal Members’ entrance through the Grace Gate. As well as accommodating Members and guests, this sequence of buildings leads to the iconic Grade II*-listed Pavilion. WilkinsonEyre’s design proposals will seek to enhance the sense of arrival at Lord’s while meeting a clear requirement to modernise and improve the facilities in this area of the Ground. The resulting stands will provide a harmonious new contribution in keeping with the existing architecture at the world-famous sporting venue.

Robert Ebdon, MCC Estates Director, commented: “After a thorough architects’ tender process, we are delighted to be renewing our successful partnership with the team at WilkinsonEyre for our next ambitious project.

The Tavern and Allen stands are much cherished by Members. Redevelopment will greatly improve the accessibility of the stands, increase our seating capacity by approximately 1,000, provide more flexible hospitality with increased catering facilities, and will be vastly more sustainable”.

Jim Eyre, Founding Director at WilkinsonEyre, said: “We feel privileged to be commissioned to design the latest new structures at Lord’s. Our experience of designing the Compton and Edrich stands has given us a special insight and passion for working at such an historic ground, contributing to its continued success as a sporting venue in the best way that we are able.”

As well as WilkinsonEyre, MCC will work with its principal consultants – Arcadis, Buro Happold, and Gardiner & Theobold – over the course of the redevelopment project.