Season › 2017-18 › News
Meis promises an intimate, intimidating, unique arena
The US-based studio was selected by the club to design an iconic stadium on the banks of the Mersey and supporters are now anxiously awaiting the first renderings of his vision.
Meis offers no timescale for the unveiling of those visuals but he assures Evertonians that he and his team "are being careful to insure that we are sure that whatever we show, we can deliver.
He explains that he wants to design an arena that "feels like it 'grew from the Docks' and can simultaneously look like it is from the future and yet has always been there."
Meis signs off by pledging to update the page further soon but leaves fans with a final thought:
"Someone recently tweeted to me that modern English stadiums are no longer intimate or intimidating...that they can't be because of modern regulations etc. To that person I say... "just wait, and see".
Reader Comments (79)
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2 Posted 08/09/2017 at 17:36:04
I said this before but one positive by being at the back of the queue when building a new stadium is that you get a good view of all the mistakes gone before.
Now just don't repeat them.
3 Posted 08/09/2017 at 17:41:27
4 Posted 08/09/2017 at 17:48:49
Sent shivers down my spine when I read that!
5 Posted 08/09/2017 at 18:22:37
Or, have I missed something here?
6 Posted 08/09/2017 at 18:24:29
Let's see a basic layout sketch showing how we get the intimidating design with the stand proximity of Goodison mentioned early on, if having to accommodate the temporary track. It's five minutes to a guy like you, Dan.
The myriad design and engineering details take time, we can wait for those.
7 Posted 08/09/2017 at 18:25:28
8 Posted 08/09/2017 at 18:26:48
The team always considered a puncher-above-its-own-weight were relegated not long after and have spent most of the time since in the second tier.
9 Posted 08/09/2017 at 18:28:25
Architects know all the right things to say to sell their product, hence the canopy and traditional supporter with coat and hat reference,most of us would prefer a closing roof.
Whatever it look's like the most important thing is where it is and I didn't thing we had any chance of the docks until Moshiri arrived.
10 Posted 08/09/2017 at 18:29:36
"...and have spent most of the time since in the second tier."
...of the stadium?
11 Posted 08/09/2017 at 19:53:48
12 Posted 08/09/2017 at 19:54:56
13 Posted 08/09/2017 at 22:28:27
14 Posted 08/09/2017 at 22:29:01
15 Posted 09/09/2017 at 00:36:24
16 Posted 09/09/2017 at 01:35:16
17 Posted 09/09/2017 at 05:02:53
Firstly...delighted it's waterfront. Aside from KD, the others were a relief to see see come and go, neither having any legs from the get-go thankfully.
Really liking all the nosies so far from the Meis camp but getting a little concerned that Dan doesn't know what he's setting himself up for. He's gotten to know the fanbase somewhat, but is essentially from another planet than Merseyside and did not live through the past 30 years as a blue .or one for whom the weekend 's result dictated the mood for the week to come (as monofocused as that might sound).
He's placed himself on something of a pedestal with his tweeting and pub/event cameos and with his degree of engagement/commentary has set his firm a very high bar without perhaps entirely considering the wide scope of personal tastes and expectations, notwithstanding the possible financial constraints and whims of the steel and constructions markets.
But wtf do I know? I suppose I just wish that he'd hole up for a while, ignore the twitter interrogation, avoid excess commentary and self inflicted bar-setting .and produce the most deliverable, atmospheric, 60k capacity cathedral of football every witnessed. Best of luck Dan Meis an Co. Glad you're on the job.
18 Posted 09/09/2017 at 07:29:59
If the stadium comes close to delivering what is being promised then it will be a tremendous step forward and a true Everton legacy from the likes of Moshiri and Kenwright.
19 Posted 09/09/2017 at 07:42:27
This architect/salesman can say what he wants e.g. Iconic stadium, history making, best design ever, Disney on the Mersey etc to get us all drooling and fantasising but if the finances aren't there we are going to build jack shit.
21 Posted 09/09/2017 at 07:49:20
Understandable fears with the history of Kenwright and Co re stadiums.
Dont worry about this one though mate. Totally different breed of men involved in achieving the new stadium.
In 3-4 years we will be sitting in a state of the art stadium in the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey.
22 Posted 09/09/2017 at 07:53:05
23 Posted 09/09/2017 at 08:04:21
Maybe the money angle will be wheeled out after the next crisis... but I'm guessing there will be some sort of announcement soon, things being clearer I hope, since Brum got the decision over Liverpool for the Games bid (which I only found out last night).
24 Posted 09/09/2017 at 08:07:50
Will has it right, stop teasing us like school kids, adults support Everton too
25 Posted 09/09/2017 at 08:20:19
Meis is saying all the right things but there are plenty of people out there who can't even do that (cue Belgian footballers). He might just be mirroring what he's heard from Kenwright, Elstone, Moshiri, fans and countless other like minded sports enthusiasts over the years but it shows he's listening. It might be that what he reveals in, say, the New Year, is a right dogs dinner but we'll have to wait and see.
I also think there's no co-incidence that this release comes after the CWG news. If Liverpool was in the box seat he might not have been able to be as clear on what we were looking to do - now we know that this project is 100% about us he can push the button and start painting a picture that talks about big home ends, steep stands, intimidating atmosphere as there will be no need to consider how this will all fit in with temporary running tracks etc. For me this was a message to say, hold on, things are coming, we know what you want we just need a bit of time to firm things up now we know where we're heading. If he can deliver something which is spot on I'm prepared to wait a very long time for it. I'm praying they don't cock it up after getting this far.
26 Posted 09/09/2017 at 08:38:26
I'm not sure when Meis presented or prepared his statement, but if it was after the Games decision (likely), it was possible to put the track idea to bed, particularly as he talks in the vein of design.
I won't make any assumptions 'til all aspects have been told to us clearly, about eight times at least. I hope there are no multi-use surprises in store, in a partnership with the L.A. despite the Games being out of the equation.
I'd like to hear news that we're going it alone as Everton with the new stadium, as soon as the board have the finance structured, if that's the way it's to be.
As someone posted in a rant on TW recently - let's get fuckin' digging!
27 Posted 09/09/2017 at 08:41:42
Don will...deliver !
28 Posted 09/09/2017 at 08:49:51
29 Posted 09/09/2017 at 08:51:09
30 Posted 09/09/2017 at 08:57:38
But that joke makes you Nicholas Parsons ðŸ˜
Only kidding Nick
31 Posted 09/09/2017 at 09:42:49
32 Posted 09/09/2017 at 09:57:55
33 Posted 09/09/2017 at 10:43:06
34 Posted 09/09/2017 at 11:28:55
FFS, when someone is flying our flag and sets it very high let's rally around them; like true Evertonians do!
Of course I've been totally frustrated by our Club's previous misdemeanours, I know we've fucked up in the past, but if you cannot see the macro view here you really do need to wake up.
The Club are taking giant strides into the future. That takes guts, determination, a strategic mind and money, in the knowledge that not everything will change overnight.
I say shoot for the stars Dan. Because if it comes off everyone here can waller in living his dream and Moshiri's vision for our Club.
36 Posted 09/09/2017 at 13:00:13
37 Posted 09/09/2017 at 13:05:24
39 Posted 09/09/2017 at 17:04:42
40 Posted 09/09/2017 at 20:01:11
After the last couple of weeks of Rooneygate, surrendering matches, bummed by Brum and a myriad of other reasons familiar to ToffeeWebbers everywhere, the future looks less Rosie.
In fact the promised stadium may be about to set a precedent in the history of architecture. The first building to collapse before it is built. Oh hang on .
41 Posted 10/09/2017 at 18:13:59
42 Posted 12/09/2017 at 14:03:17
He's also teasing more with the capacity (60,000). Prefer 65,000 like.
43 Posted 13/09/2017 at 01:13:19
44 Posted 13/09/2017 at 07:52:07
45 Posted 13/09/2017 at 08:55:58
46 Posted 13/09/2017 at 09:40:49
47 Posted 13/09/2017 at 10:58:26
I believe he will go with a brick and then modern glass but hey ho, it could be all metal and I will applaud and get behind it as our new home!
48 Posted 13/09/2017 at 11:02:32
Even if this is little impact overall, they will still be doing some work on this aspect right now as the announcement was very recent.
49 Posted 13/09/2017 at 11:11:47
http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/about.aspx
http://www.wingateindianapolis.com/ap-indianapolis-colts-lucas-oil-stadium-1283260417.php
50 Posted 13/09/2017 at 11:31:45
51 Posted 13/09/2017 at 11:55:55
I promise I haven't had a sneak peek!
52 Posted 13/09/2017 at 12:06:15
53 Posted 13/09/2017 at 12:12:03
You got me thinking about brick colours and the surrounding architecture.
Jesus, who knew visualising a project would give me such food for thought! Got a headache now mate, off for a lie down.
54 Posted 13/09/2017 at 15:21:03
55 Posted 13/09/2017 at 15:29:53
56 Posted 13/09/2017 at 16:02:03
Love the brick facades (though would be expensive...?) and would also be more than happy to move away from the silverdome bowls that now look a bit two-a-penny. Something solid, square and imposing would suit me just fine.
57 Posted 13/09/2017 at 17:04:11
Sink the pitch and build an underground car park to support the playing surface. Whatever the depth of the pitch below the quay level may return a saving on any of the structure above quay level.
Why am I doing this? To take my mind off last Saturday at Goodison.
59 Posted 13/09/2017 at 17:53:10
Why not build the pitch over the dock and leave a gateway underneath much like a carpark only for water taxis or small speedboats to dock and let off passengers. World first, inspiring, keeping the docks heritage alive and creating something that only enhances the experience of match day... or am I going mad?
60 Posted 13/09/2017 at 18:19:45
It's a dock, setting it a few meters below ground level will be a fantastic use of it rather than infilling totally. The Lucas Oil Stadium for example is below ground level.
61 Posted 13/09/2017 at 18:24:57
'Water taxis'f fs... Can you take us to Lime St, mate...
62 Posted 13/09/2017 at 18:40:02
63 Posted 13/09/2017 at 19:07:26
Can you please elaborate a bit further then, David? I can't picture (in me head) a stadium "a few metres below ground level". I'm sorry, I just might be too thick.
64 Posted 13/09/2017 at 19:22:05
65 Posted 13/09/2017 at 19:30:41
66 Posted 13/09/2017 at 19:32:18
67 Posted 13/09/2017 at 20:25:50
68 Posted 13/09/2017 at 20:38:01
Dan Meis refers and his blog:
"Innovation doesn't always mean that a building has the latest bells and whistles" and refers to an author quote "A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away".
This worries me a little together with the cost that the stadium would be basic (like The Riverside). But is totally at odds with all the statements and promises about how great it will be. Wait and see.
69 Posted 13/09/2017 at 20:43:15
70 Posted 13/09/2017 at 20:46:37
71 Posted 13/09/2017 at 20:53:42
72 Posted 13/09/2017 at 22:32:08
73 Posted 14/09/2017 at 07:15:14
74 Posted 14/09/2017 at 08:14:12
75 Posted 14/09/2017 at 08:14:19
1) London land is considerably more expensive than what we paid for the Bramley-Moore lease;
2) That 𧿘m also includes a hotel, brewery, bakery etc so the stadium is only a small part;
3) They have signed a deal with an NFL team so revenue from that gives them more £££.
So if it were just a stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock, you could say it would be much lower.
76 Posted 19/09/2017 at 21:21:57
77 Posted 21/09/2017 at 11:33:45
We start songs off over here, those songs need to be loud to spread around the stadium.
The likes of a stadium with lots of small acoustical pens, or multiple tiers is fine in America, but over here you need a place where the songs can start and spread until they reach a crescendo where other sin other stands will hear and instantly join in with.
Talk of a massive home end (though why just one?) is encouraging, but it depends on how it is done. If it is made up of lots of small acoustical pens then it will not work. If it is just one large tier then yes it will. Though why just restrict ourselves to one tier behind the goal?
78 Posted 21/09/2017 at 12:33:21
What we mustn't forego is the need to somehow create and retain an intimate, huge and intimidating, to the opposition, atmosphere.
79 Posted 21/09/2017 at 12:46:39
80 Posted 21/09/2017 at 13:00:02
81 Posted 21/09/2017 at 19:39:48
As I understand it, he was only Sir John's accountant and then "led" our club for years until being one of only five chairmen personally devising the modus operandi for the putative Premier League, us thereafter being the only one to completely miss the gravy train in comparison to the four other creators.
He was reportedly also one of the few Thatcher relied on for advice or solace in football matters and he supported the prospective ground move to Kirkby.
Legend? Hmmm.
82 Posted 21/09/2017 at 19:52:42
The scouser Ricky Tomlinson was also jailed as one of the Shrewsbury 24 (Barry and Saville Kushner a good read). The Tory govt have decided that crucial government documents relating to the Shrewsbury building workers pickets' trials in 1973 are to be kept locked away for a further 10-50 years. It's already over 40 years of secrecy on this.
83 Posted 23/09/2017 at 07:45:23
"National security". Sure.
Many people work within a latter day version of a pen system now. It's called things like being competitive and flexible working. The pay is minimum wage, so in real value terms compared with previous decades, you get half a day's "Earnings" but now you work all day for it. The pen is invisible to most.
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1 Posted 08/09/2017 at 17:29:57