EMERALD HEADINGLEY STADIUM, EAST STAND – RUGBY : LEEDS

Sectors : Sport

Client : Caddick Developments Ltd

Over the past 25 years, DLA Design have shaped a world class sporting facility, designed to meet future standards whilst maintaining the unique ‘Headingley atmosphere’ at a stadium that has hosted International sports for over 110 years. The masterplan for the phased redevelopment obtained planning approval in 1999, establishing a framework for the redevelopment of the stadium over a 20-year period and in May 2019 the final elements came to fruition.

The East Stand for Leeds Rugby replaced the old uncovered standing terrace on St Michael’s Lane with a fully covered 4,278 spectator capacity stand with lower tier standing, an upper tier seating, and a third floor flexible banqueting area with links to the existing Pavilion.

On non-match days the facility is used during the week by Leeds Beckett University as teaching space and provides over 1,550 m2 of lecture space in 13 classrooms, all equipped with audio and visual facilities, together with a 420 m2 student cafe, and male, female and disabled toilets at each floor level.

The facility was also developed to complement the development programme for the Rugby Football League’s ‘Framing the Future’, by ensuring clubs become a centre for community activities, and particularly for local junior and youth development in sport.

Awards :

Winner – Constructing Excellence – Yorkshire Property Awards 2020