Planning application for MSG Sphere gains validation

The Madison Square Garden’s planning application to the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) for the MSG Sphere London has been validated.

In March 2019, the LLDC’s Planning Policy and Decisions Team received a planning application for a large-scale live music and entertainment venue from The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG).

The proposal is for a spherical shaped building next to Stratford Station that would provide an auditorium (capacity for up to 21,500 people), a music venue, nightclub, members lounge, restaurants, bars, and new bridges to create pedestrian connections across the site amongst other things.

The building is a first for London because externally the spherical building would be composed of a ‘skin’ of LED’s. These LED’s would be programmable and could display images on the surface of the building including adverts.

It’s planned that the MSG Sphere would be a next-generation venue that revolutionises the entertainment experience and brings unforgettable moments for fans – from the UK and around the world.

MSG’s plans go beyond building the world’s most advanced live entertainment venue however; the company wants to transform an undeveloped and inaccessible site into a thriving destination that will benefit the whole community – and bring the eastern and western sides of Stratford together through new infrastructure, road and highway improvements. MSG also wants to contribute to Stratford’s global reputation as a leading destination for arts, music and entertainment.

MSG Sphere’s iconic spherical shape would have a fully-programmable exterior that serves as a digital showcase for the venue, artists and partners.

Inside, the main venue would feature cutting-edge technologies that enable the creation of transformative, immersive experiences. These technologies include:

• The largest and highest resolution LED screen in the world
• An adaptive acoustics system that delivers crystal-clear audio to every guest
• A haptic system that will convey bass so the audience can “feel” the experience
• Wireless connectivity that delivers 25 megabits per second for every guest

With a scalable capacity of up to 17,500 seated, or 21,500 with a mix of seated and standing, MSG Sphere would attract a wide variety of artists and content, including concerts, residencies, immersive experiences, family shows, corporate events, award shows, product launches and select sporting events.

In addition to the main venue, plans for MSG Sphere include:

• Publicly-accessible outdoor spaces – including a nature play space for children, seating areas, and an outdoor gym
• A range of indoor dining and entertainment options – a smaller music club/nightclub, retail space, a café, and restaurants

Images, courtesy: MSG

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