ABBA Arena team unveils plans for new UK venue

The team behind ABBA Arena in London has unveiled plans for a new venue in Swindon, a town in the southwest of England.

Stufish Entertainment Architects has released initial designs for a 1,200-seat theatre and concert venue, under Swindon council’s vision for its Cultural Quarter masterplan.

The venue’s design will combine Swindon’s industrial heritage with contemporary design inspired by Stufish’s ABBA Arena, the 3,000-capacity purpose-built venue for ABBA Voyage.

The local council also said in a report that “The front of house (FOH) area could potentially embrace a similar strategy to the ABBA Arena…the majority of the FOH would be a weather-protected covered area.”

Outside the ABBA Arena auditorium is a sheltered, extended concourse area used to serve visitors.

“Our work surpasses the conventional ‘box’ or ‘shed’ aesthetic, creating thoughtfully crafted, purpose-built spaces that captivate and engage”

The cost of construction for the new Swindon venue is just under £35m although plans are still in the early stages.

The venue would built on what is now Swindon Bus Station and would replace the town’s existing theatre which is said to no longer meet modern demands.

“Drawing on extensive experience in show and venue design, we have refined a modular construction approach that embodies the elegance and depth of traditional architecture,” said chief executive and design director of Stufish Entertainment Architects Ray Winkler.

“Our work surpasses the conventional ‘box’ or ‘shed’ aesthetic, creating thoughtfully crafted, purpose-built spaces that captivate and engage. This adaptable modular approach lends itself seamlessly to a range of structures, from theatres to pavilions, ensuring both beauty and functionality in any setting.”

It was recently revealed that ABBA Voyage grossed more than £100 million (€120m) in 2023 after attracting in excess of one million visitors. Read more here.

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