Behold, the tale unfolds: Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG) has cast aside their grand vision to erect a colossal sphere in the heart of London. Their triumph at creating The Sphere at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas was a sight to behold, but their dreams of replicating this spectacle in London have now been shattered.
The saga began in 2018, when MSG first unveiled their ambitious plans for the massive sphere. The excitement reached a fever pitch when they filed for planning permission in March 2019. This gargantuan structure was set to soar 300ft into the sky and boast an astounding 21,000 seats. The proposed location? None other than Stratford, in east London. But alas, fate had other plans in store.
The project met an insurmountable obstacle in November 2023. The planning officers did not sing MSG’s praises, and even the local residents stood up in defiance. Even London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, who had originally championed the idea, withdrew his support. A bitter pill to swallow indeed.
In December, Housing Secretary Michael Gove floated the idea of revisiting the rejection of planning permission. However, MSG had already made their decision. They penned a letter to the Planning Inspectorate, officially withdrawing their application. Their frustrations were laid bare, as they expressed their disillusionment with a process that felt more like a political game than a genuine effort to bring their vision to life.
It’s a tragedy, for the 4.7-acre site in Stratford, which had languished unused since the 2012 London Olympics, was poised to be reborn as a cutting-edge concert and entertainment venue. The exterior was to be adorned with dynamic LED lights, a design crafted by the ingenious minds at Populous, the very same architects behind the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Yet, not everyone was enchanted by this larger-than-life project. The nearby residents were hesitant, and even Mayor Khan had his reservations. Reports surfaced that he feared the design would cause excessive light intrusion, resulting in harm to neighboring properties and residents. A disheartening turn of events indeed.
But fear not, for MSG has already made waves with their other mega-sphere in Las Vegas. It stands tall as the largest spherical structure in the world, its exterior adorned with a mesmerizing high-resolution LED screen. And to top it off, they have plans to bring similar structures to South Korea. It seems MSG is determined to collaborate with cities that are willing to embrace audacious visions.
While the London dream may have faded, MSG is far from giving up. Who knows what the future holds for these visionary creators? Only time will unveil their next grand spectacle.
