The Boleyn - SOLD

West Ham United statement
West Ham United agree the sale of the Boleyn Ground to local developer Galliard Group


West Ham United can confirm that Award-Winning local London developer Galliard Group has reached an agreement to purchase the Boleyn Ground Football Stadium once the Club completes its move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.
Following a competitive bidding process, West Ham United selected Galliard Group as the purchaser for the site ahead of a number of other national and international companies. The Club was impressed with Galliard Group's links to the local community and their commitment to honouring the history of the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground as part of their proposed development.

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "We opted to reach an agreement with Galliard because they are a local London developer and employer with origins in east London. We know they are committed to working closely with the local community and Newham Council on proposals to transform the site into a residential and retail village, which will benefit the local community and east London's regional economy. The deal demonstrates that we have been true to our word by securing the regeneration of two areas of east London through our move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.

"In addition, and most importantly for us, we can see that Galliard are passionate about working with West Ham United to engage their supporters to help deliver a fitting legacy that will honour the tradition of the famous ground. We are confident that West Ham United fans will be excited about their vision and the way they plan to respect more than 100 years of West Ham history at Upton Park."

Stephen Conway, Chairman and Chief Executive of Galliard Group, said: "Galliard is one of London's most successful regeneration specialists and has a proven track record in stadium land regeneration. Working closely with West Ham and Newham Council, Galliard now plan to undertake extensive consultation with local residents and businesses and the West Ham United Supporter Advisory Board in order to create a future for the site, which is respectful of the cultural and economic diversity of the local area."

Galliard Group is committed to an open and wide ranging consultation on its plans for the iconic site, including full engagement with Newham Council, as the relevant planning authority, as well as with local residents and businesses.

Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, said: "We have always maintained that West Ham United's relocation to Stratford had the potential to deliver an Olympic Legacy beyond Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as a key part of the comprehensive regeneration of Green Street and Upton Park. The prospect of much needed homes, jobs and community spaces for this area is an exciting one."

Galliard's proposals seek to provide new homes and both complementary and innovative ground floor retail and leisure facilities, complete with underground parking. Galliard also plan to undertake discussions with the family of Bobby Moore regarding the proposed development of a beautiful central landscaped garden, which would be named the Bobby Moore Memorial Garden, providing a fitting tribute to the legacy of West Ham United at the iconic site.
Under proposals also being considered, fans and local residents would be invited to enter a poll to name each building after a legendary player or an historic event at the Club.

In addition, Galliard have commissioned world-renowned sculptress, Frances Siegelman, to create a statue of Bobby Moore and other artwork celebrating the heritage of the Football Club, which would be located in the gardens and grounds of the new village. Under the plans, the current West Ham memorial garden by the front entrance to the grounds would also be retained, protected and incorporated into the new development.

Bobby Moore's daughter, Roberta Moore, is pleased that there will be a lasting tribute to West Ham United on Green Street. She said: "I have always believed that there should be some form of permanent West Ham United presence at the Boleyn Ground site after the team leave and I'm really pleased that the centre point of the development is planned to be named in honour of my father. Hopefully the new sculptures and buildings being proposed will also help ensure that a lasting legacy to the Club, my father and his team-mates is left at Upton Park."

The new village, which will have a construction programme of some 30 months, has an anticipated completion date of late 2018.





 

WEST SIDE BOYS- COCKNEY REJECTS

We're Not the North Bank
We're Not the South Bank
We are the the West Side Upton Park

We meet in the Boyleyn every Saturday
Talk about the team that
we're gonna do today
Steel cap Dr. Martens and iron bars
Smash their coaches or do'em
in their cars

We're Not the North Bank
We're Not the South Bank
We are the the West Side Upton Park
We can sing until we drop
We can take the Shed or take the Kop
Highbury and Paxton run in fear
When the West Side Boys appear

I know we have to move forward but like many others I have my reservations about the Olympic Stadium and when the old ground has gone and what ever happens in this crazy world and until the end of time
Green Street, Upton Park, E13 will forever be
West Ham United !!
Irons In The Soul

I know it's progress and has to be, but a sad day also.

alfiehammer wrote:I know it's progress and has to be, but a sad day also.

Indeed Alfie

We have to accept it.  I do think we will rue the day though ....

Glad that the Moore family seem happy with this outcome. Quite right that Bobby will be remembered and honoured in the appropiate manner. Also good that a local firm gets the job. Time to move on folks, but memories both tangible and not will always remain.

it's not the "progress" or the need to move on that worries me MH...

it's the swapping of a tangible asset for - that's the trouble... for what...?

swapping bankable assets for rent never seems like a good idea to me, no matter how attractive the short term gains might be... trust me.. I've done it... it's not a good long term strategy.

westhamonkey wrote:
it's not the "progress" or the need to move on that worries me MH...

it's the swapping of a tangible asset for - that's the trouble... for what...?

swapping bankable assets for rent never seems like a good idea to me, no matter how attractive the short term gains might be... trust me.. I've done it... it's not a good long term strategy.

Erm.........clearing our debts !!

And the asset is getting older and will require more attention as time goes b y without ever really being anything more than its land value worth. The increased revenue from moving to the OS will nullify bthe "asset" worth in 20 years or less, of a 99 year lease.

Can't argue the finances of this one; the emotions yes but it makes sound, sound financial sense-near enough gifted a brand new stadium.

JulianDicksLeftKnee wrote:And the asset is getting older and will require more attention as time goes b y without ever really being anything more than its land value worth. The increased revenue from moving to the OS will nullify bthe "asset" worth in 20 years or less, of a 99 year lease.

Can't argue the finances of this one; the emotions yes but it makes sound, sound financial sense-near enough gifted a brand new stadium.

Well put.

99 year lease, Fupp it that's my life time and we got a good deal (too good for some other teams fans liking) too.

Tony P wrote:

westhamonkey wrote:
it's not the "progress" or the need to move on that worries me MH...

it's the swapping of a tangible asset for - that's the trouble... for what...?

swapping bankable assets for rent never seems like a good idea to me, no matter how attractive the short term gains might be... trust me.. I've done it... it's not a good long term strategy.

Erm.........clearing our debts !!

and then what?

true - being debt free is all fine and dandy - but then what?

we have no tangible assets to borrow against or provide as security

so where is the 'value' of the club? sure... Premiership survival, ticket and TV revenue... all of which is dependent on the one thing we've not had too much of in any or our lifetimes... success on the pitch.

and then what happens in 2115? Our 99 year lease is up...

do we have the option for renewal or is it out of our hands?

might seem like someone else's problem... but 99 years ain't that long

JulianDicksLeftKnee wrote:And the asset is getting older and will require more attention as time goes b y without ever really being anything more than its land value worth. The increased revenue from moving to the OS will nullify bthe "asset" worth in 20 years or less, of a 99 year lease.

Can't argue the finances of this one; the emotions yes but it makes sound, sound financial sense-near enough gifted a brand new stadium.

funny... I'd say the exact opposite... it's the financials (other than for the two blokes about to get repaid on their investment) that it's the financials which don't make sense.

They would have if we'd gotten the original deal on the table... i.e. a brand new stadium which we owned... now THAT was a deal... this is just... erm...

it's a great way for the 2 Daves to get paid back without the club actually having to achieve anything of any success.

Look at all the clubs who swapped a home for a tenancy... Coventry springs to mind... the outstanding success do not.

Or AC and Inter Milan, Lazio and Roma.