West Ham announce sale of Upton Park to property developers

Oct 25, 2013; London, United Kingdom, USA; General view of Olympic Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Premier League side West Ham have announced that development company Galliard Group will purchase their Boleyn Ground stadium, also known as Upton Park in 2016 once the club moves into the Olympic Stadium. The statement below is from their website:

"West Ham United can confirm that Award-Winning local London developer Galliard Group has reached an agreement to purchase the Boleyn Ground Football Stadium once the Club completes its move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.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 was 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.”Galliard Group is committed to an open and wide ranging consultation on its plans for the iconic site, including full engagement with Newham Council, as the relevant planning authority, as well as with local residents and businesses.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.”Galliard’s proposals seek to provide new homes and both complementary and innovative ground floor retail and leisure facilities, complete with underground parking. Galliard also plan to undertake discussions with the family of Bobby Moore regarding the proposed development of a beautiful central landscaped garden, which would be named the Bobby Moore Memorial Garden, providing a fitting tribute to the legacy of West Ham United at the iconic site.Under proposals also being considered, fans and local residents would be invited to enter a poll to name each building after a legendary player or an historic event at the Club.In addition, Galliard have commissioned world-renowned sculptress, Frances Siegelman, to create a statue of Bobby Moore and other artwork celebrating the heritage of the Football Club, which would be located in the gardens and grounds of the new village. Under the plans, the current West Ham memorial garden by the front entrance to the grounds would also be retained, protected and incorporated into the new development.Bobby Moore’s daughter, Roberta Moore, is pleased that there will be a lasting tribute to West Ham United on Green Street. She said: “I have always believed that there should be some form of permanent West Ham United presence at the Boleyn Ground site after the team leave and I’m really pleased that the centre point of the development is planned to be named in honour of my father. Hopefully the new sculptures and buildings being proposed will also help ensure that a lasting legacy to the Club, my father and his team-mates is left at Upton Park.”The new village, which will have a construction programme of some 30 months, has an anticipated completion date of late 2018."