CAA ICON joins the team delivering the Co-op Live

CAA ICON has been appointed by Oak View Group to serve as the project management consultancy for Co-op Live, a new 23,500-seat, £350m arena currently under construction in Manchester, UK.

CAA ICON opened its first UK office in March 2020 to support the planning process for Co-op Live. The strategic management consultancy – a division of entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency, provides a range of consulting services for arena projects, including project management, strategic advisory, feasibility and planning.

CAA ICON has managed the development of numerous venues around the world, including The O2 in London and Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin.

Stephanie Bax, CAA ICON’s Managing Director of European operations, will lead the firm’s project management team for Co-op Live, supported by a team of six regional experts based in London and Milan, overseeing the contract, design and construction activities.

Bax said:

We are thrilled to be working once again with OVG, this time to deliver their first international venue. Co-op Live will be a groundbreaking project for the UK music industry and an important economic boost to the City of Manchester in the wake of the pandemic.

Bax will advise on the contract, design and construction activities for the arena. CAA ICON will represent Oak View Group (OVG) and equal partner City Football Group’s interests in activities, such as budget and programme management, procurement and the installation of furniture and equipment. 

CAA ICON has worked with Oak View Group on several projects previously, including the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, and the Moody Center at the University of Texas in Austin, but Co-op Live will be the companies’ first European collaboration. 

Bax said:

We are committed to bringing our deep sports and entertainment expertise, alongside our tailored project management approach, to complex projects. 

We are thrilled to be working once again with OVG, to deliver their first international venue. Co-op Live will be a groundbreaking project for the UK music industry and an important economic boost to the city of Manchester in the wake of the pandemic.

Lead contractor BAM Construct UK is on site carrying out groundworks for the 23,500-capacity arena, located next to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on the Etihad Campus.

Becci Thomson, Head of Premium at the Co-op Live and Shawn Doss, Executive Vice President at Elevate Sports Ventures are just two of the 50+ high-level expert speakers that will be sharing insights at this September’s ALSD International event. Populous, the global architecture firm behind the Co-op Live design, will be speaking and sponsoring the event.

Co-op Live timeline 

• August 2019 – OVG named as developer behind venue project 
• October 2019 – OVG unveils initial designs for the arena 
• April 2020 – OVG submits planning application for Eastlands arena venture 
• June 2020 – Several firms, including AO Arena operator ASM Global, reiterate concerns over impact new arena could have on city centre 
• September 2020 – Manchester City Council approves OVG’s plans 
• September 2020 – Co-op agrees £100m naming rights deal 
• October 2020 – Harry Styles takes minority stake in Co-op Live 
• April 2021 – BAM starts on site after sealing £253m construction contract, its largest ever UK job in terms of value 
• May 2021 – City Football Group becomes equal partner in the venture with OVG

Sources: CAA ICON / Place North West

Imagery, courtesy: Co-op Live / Populous

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The next edition of ALSD International is being hosted by Liverpool Football Club September 6-7 and will feature a high-level conference, exhibition and networking events, as well as technical tours of Anfield, Everton’s Goodison Park and M&S Bank Arena on the ACCL campus. 

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