Plans for the redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabeu took a giant step forward recently, with club president Florentino Perez unveiling the proposals at a special presentation before stating that he expects work to commence at the end of this season.
The project is reportedly going to cost the club in the region of €400 - €525m, with Perez – whose financial background is in construction – overseeing a large-scale modernisation of the club’s facilities. The refurbishment is set to completely change the stadium's appearance; it will be 12 meters taller than the current building and it’s set to include a luxury hotel, in addition to having a retractable roof that will give the structure a futuristic look.
The development, which is set to take four years, will see a new urban area built on the Paseo de la Castellana, with Rafael Salgado Street, which runs adjacent to the stadium, being pedestrianised to allow fans more space on match days. A new square will also be incorporated to replace the Esquina del Bernabeu shopping centre on one of the corners of the ground. Inside, a spectacular 360-degree video scoreboard will be one of the emblematic elements of the new stadium. This will be accompanied by improved galleries, restaurants and bars, as well as new club shops and areas for leisure and entertainment.
Perez said: "The new Bernabeu, located in the heart of Madrid, will be the best stadium in the world. More modern, more comfortable, safer and designed for entertainment, with new areas of leisure and catering and where the most advanced technology will be key for fans to live new experiences."
Impressive stuff...
