Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has kicked off the redevelopment of the historic Allen Stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Lord’s said work got underway on the project just a few days after the last international of the season at the Home of Cricket.
The project will recreate the distinct presence of the current stand, while significantly improving on its comfort, facilities and accessibility for Members and guests.
The MCC is a cricket club founded in 1787 and based since 1814 at Lord’s Cricket Ground which it owns. The club, formerly the governing body of cricket, retains considerable global influence.
The 31,100-capacity Lord’s Cricket Ground, commonly known as Lord’s, is a cricket venue in St John’s Wood, London (UK). Named after its Founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by the MCC and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club. Lord’s is widely referred to as the Home of Cricket.
The new Allen Stand will deliver:
- Increased capacity and accessibility: The new stand will add 190 seats, increasing total capacity to 806. It will include eight wheelchair-accessible seats and 28 seats for ambulant disabilities, with improved access via two lifts and two staircases.
- Enhanced facilities: The stand will feature pitch-facing bars on all three levels, a 60-seat café, and modern washrooms at every level. The Middlesex Room will be recreated, and the much-loved Members’ bridge to the Pavilion will be restored.
- Sustainability: Solar panels will be installed as part of MCC’s commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2030. The project is designed to meet BREEAM “Excellent” standards.
- Preserving heritage: Historic features, including the original “Q” sign and the bust of Sir George “Gubby” Allen, will be incorporated into the new design.
Designed by award-winning architects WilkinsonEyre, construction by F.B. Ellmer Ltd began almost 10 years to the day since the start of the Ground Development Programme at Lord’s that started with the construction of the Warner Stand.
The construction timetable means that seating with temporary facilities will be available for the summer 2026 season with full completion expected in winter 2026/27, ready for the new Allen Stand to be in full use for the Ashes series in 2027.
The redevelopment of the Allen Stand is part of MCC’s long-term vision to continue to enhance Lord’s Cricket Ground while maintaining its iconic status, and follows the redevelopment of the Compton and Edrich stands in 2020/21.
The stands have transformed the Nursery End of the Ground and are already a recognisable, and well-known view for cricket fans around the world.
Robert Ebdon, MCC Estates Director, said: “The Allen Stand is the oldest seating structure in the Ground, other than the Pavilion, and this redevelopment will provide outstanding facilities for use in the decades to come.
“The new stand blends modern innovation with cherished original features and will take pride of place between the Grace Gate and the Pavilion – the perfect welcome for visitors entering Lord’s via its most historic entrance.”
Sam Wright, Board Director, WilkinsonEyre added: “Our designs for the Allen Stand capture the essence of the old Sir Herbert Baker Stand, preserving the cherished traditions valued by Members.
“Featuring a dual-fronted design, the stand is a distinctive building with an elegant, lightweight canopy, contributing to the ongoing evolution of the Lord’s Cricket Ground skyline.”
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