Builder announced for Marvel Stadium redevelopment

The AFL has announced John Holland as the official building partner for the Marvel Stadium redevelopment, with works to commence following the 2021 season.
 
Regarded as one of the nation’s leading integrated infrastructure and property companies, John Holland is currently involved in delivering many of large infrastructure, property and urban renewal projects, including construction of the new Sydney Football Stadium.

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said the upgraded design will deliver the best experience for fans in-stadium and for visitors to the precinct.

“The John Holland team will help bring our vision to life – which is to make the Marvel Stadium precinct one of the best and technologically advanced sports and entertainment destinations in the world” Mr McLachlan said.

The stadium redevelopment will commence following the 2021 AFL season and is expected to be completed during the 2023 season. The AFL says one completed, the Marvel Stadium and stadium precinct upgrade will deliver a 365-day a year hub for all things sport and entertainment.
 
Works will include revitalised eastern and southern entry points, including a new ‘Town Square’ transforming the space into a seven-day per week open and accessible area to gather Monday to Sunday, or when attending a sporting event or concert.

 
A new city-side extension will include function rooms with views of both the arena and CBD as its backdrop, as shown in new renders released to the public in November last year.
 
The signature new Town Square plaza will welcome pedestrians arriving on the Bourke Street footbridge from Southern Cross Station – a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces with some stadium walls removed to provide a visual connection to the field of play.

Markets and community gatherings will fit naturally in the space, while hospitality businesses on two levels will be open to the public and able to be converted to ticketed areas for sporting events and concerts.

Overlooking Wurundjeri Way, a “City Edge” stadium extension will refurbish public and function areas and provide views back into Melbourne’s CBD.

The capacity of the stadium will remain at around 56,000, with the seating bowl expected to remain largely unaffected in the $225 million redevelopment. The Victorian Government committed the funds to the project in April 2018 in exchange for the AFL Grand Final being played in Victoria until at least 2058.

“We have great, innovative designs that have captured our desire to amplify the stadium’s ability to host multiple events across a calendar year and ensure fan experience has been front of mind when designing the upgrade” Mr McLachlan said.
 
“By renovating the existing structure of the stadium, it will provide a more environmentally sustainable way of building, as well as ensuring minimal disruption to fans during the construction period

“On behalf of the AFL, I want to thank the Victorian Government for their continued partnership across both elite and community football and welcome the John Holland team to this exciting project for footy fans and visitors to the stadium and precinct.”

There will be major renovations to public food and beverage areas connecting into the arena and overlooking the field of play and more spaces to catch up with friends, before, during and after the match.

Two new giant scoreboards, twice as big as the existing screens, will hang from the roof at either end of venue, while a new sensory room and changing place facility will ensure Marvel Stadium is a place that welcomes people of all abilities, and additional bicycle parking facilities to promote sustainable transport. 
 
There will also be a boost to the event-day experience through improved lighting and technology upgrades throughout the stadium. Home clubs on a match day will be able to fully integrate their brand and club colours into the exterior and interior of the new development – from the concourse, new entrances and through to function rooms.

There will also be upgrades to player facilities, with improved state of the art change rooms catering for males and females.

Marvel Stadium is home to five AFL clubs, the Melbourne Renegades (BBL), while Melbourne Victory continue to play some A-League home games at the venue. Prior to Covid-19, the stadium hosted more than 75 sports and entertainment events per year, including major concerts.