West Ham United Ink Deal to Sell Upton Park

February 10, 2014

Premier League club West Ham United have announced London developer Galliard Group has reached an agreement to purchase the Boleyn Ground Football Stadium, also known as Upton Park, once the Club completes its move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.

The club are expected to move into the Olympic stadium ahead of the 2016-17 season leaving Upton Park after a 112-year occupancy that began in 1904.

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 said they were 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.”

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.”

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

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