Exclusive: Chelsea bring in new architect to help with stadium redevelopment | OneFootball

Chelsea have bought in the help of a familiar architect as they look to push ahead with the plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge.

That is according to Ben Jacobs in his latest column for one of our sister sites, SPTC today.

As you will well know, Chelsea have plans to build a bigger and better stadium in the coming years, but it is unclear exactly what route they want to go down.

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Jacobs says the preference from the owners is to stay on the Stamford Bridge site and to build up from there.

A Stand-by-stand redevelopment is complicated but is not being ruled out.

And further to this, Jacobs says that architect Janet Marie Smith, who led the Dodger Stadium renovation, will be part of plans for the rebuild.

Fans will have a long time to wait to see any end products though, with 2030 being the year where we are expected to see the finished development completed.

‘I am still told the firm preference is to remain at Stamford Bridge despite long-standing suggestions of Earls Court,” Jacobs wrote.

‘That means it’s a straight choice between knocking down the stadium or developing the existing one stand by stand. It’s understood that architect Janet Marie Smith, who led the Dodger Stadium renovation, will be part of plans.

‘If it wasn’t so challenging to find a new temporary home, the preference, according to multiple sources, would be to build a new stadium on the same site. Stand-by-stand redevelopment is complicated but is not being ruled out. Ultimately Chelsea’s owners want the most modern and versatile stadium possible, that can also bring in non-football income.’