London practice behind new Olympic Park arena for ABBA’s virtual comeback tour
3 SEPTEMBER 2021 ·BY RICHARD WAITE
The first images have been made public of plans for a new 3,000-capacity venue on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park designed by Stufish Entertainment Architects, which will host ABBA’s virtual comeback tour
The London and Hong Kong-based entertainment and concert specialist has drawn up proposals for a mainly timber temporary theatre on a car park site in Barbers Road, next to Pudding Mill DLR station, east London.
In November the Swedish pop legends will release their first new album for 40 years, ABBA Voyage, ahead of a ‘revolutionary’ set of concerts at which virtual avatars of the band will play their greatest hits.
According to the promoters, the ‘breathtaking’ London arena will create ‘the perfect setting for ABBA Voyage, offering a live music experience like no other’
They said: ‘The venue is built around ABBA’s timeless music and never-before-seen concert, so you can have the time of your life in general admission or have the option of a seat in the auditorium if you prefer. You can even party in style in your own dance booth.’
In March 2020 the London Legacy Development Corporation gave its approval for the pop-up arena to stay on the plot for five years. The 6,710m² scheme has been designed to be demountable and re-usable.
The main auditorium has been designed to create an ‘internal clear span of 61m and allow for a 360-degree immersive experience’.
As well as this main space, the development will feature a box office, backstage facilities and storage, shops, food stalls, bars and a covered concourse.
In November 2019 the early designs were looked at by the London Legacy Development Corporation quality review panel chaired by Catherine Burd.
The panellists were supportive of the project saying the ‘proposed design, including timber cladding, [had] the potential to be beautiful’.
However, it did have a word of warning about its construction: ‘Given that the structure is to be re-used – with a life span expected to extend well beyond its three years at Pudding Mill – the panel urges that investment in quality be made now.
‘The design of the building, including its materiality, must result in a structure that is not only beautiful, but also durable.
‘The panel urges that the intention to use timber for both the theatre building cladding and the canopy structure be fully followed through, without compromise.’
The arena is due to open its doors in May 2022. The practice has been contacted for comment
https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/london-practice-behind-new-olympic-park-arena-for-abbas-virtual-comeback-tour
