We have been closely involved with the Arena Coventry development since the early 1990s. The scheme has evolved from the proposed relocation of Coventry Football Club into a new leisure-based urban quarter, complete with a 32,000 capacity football stadium.

The project is the focus of a comprehensive regeneration scheme for the deprived Foleshill district of North Coventry. Along with the stadium, it comprises 8,500 sq m of flexible event space, conference and banqueting facilities and a casino. The 72.5 acre brownfield site is also home to one of the largest Tesco stores in Europe.

The defining design feature is the covered street that links the stadium's main entrance to the hall opposite. As well as providing access to all entertainment facilities, the street accommodates bars, restaurants, shops and ticket outlets. It is designed to be a lively and accessible metropolitan hub with something for everyone — families, football fans, corporate executives.

From the club's perspective, this development model has created a valuable revenue stream. Instead of standing empty on non-match days, the stadium's conference and banquet rooms are available for hire throughout the year. A further innovation is the design of the club's 75 executive suites, which are fully adaptable for use as hotel rooms.