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Proposed new arena developments in Munich, Germany and Edinburgh, Scotland are edging closer to reality.
Bavaria-based developer SWMunich Real Estate this week presented an update on its MUCcc Arena scheme in Munich to the district town of Freising’s planning and design advisory board.
The board, which comprised experts from various disciplines, praised the quality of the planning and architecture of the venue, in addition to making suggestions that will be incorporated into the climate-neutral arena project.
“The presentation of the project has shown us how well thought-out planning and sophisticated architecture can go hand in hand,” says Prof Dr Rudolf Hierl, chair of the design advisory board. “The concert arena sets new standards for architectural and urban quality in our region. We are delighted to be able to support this project.”
SWMunich will build and operate the 20,000-cap venue, backed by more than €300 million of private sector investment.
“The positive response from the design advisory board encourages us in our endeavours to create a concert arena that meets the highest standards,” says Munich Arena managing partner Lorenz Schmid. “The advisory board’s suggestions will flow directly into the further development of the Munich Arena concert arena to make it an enrichment for Freising and the region.”
“We’re determined to enhance Edinburgh as a venue for live music and other events”
Designed by Populous, the arena will be located in a new green space next to LabCampus, the technology and innovation centre at Munich Airport, with the seating to be arranged in a 270° horseshoe shape.
“We are proud to realise a project like the concert arena in our city, which is not only architecturally impressive, but also offers enormous economic and cultural advantages,” adds Freising mayor Tobias Eschenbacher.
Meanwhile, AEG Europe’s proposed 8,500-capacity arena project in Edinburgh is also on track after being backed by planning officers ahead of a council meeting later this month. The promoter and venue operator is seeking planning permission for the venue in Edinburgh Park, with hopes to launch it in 2027.
“We’re delighted that the proposals for a new arena in Edinburgh are recommended for approval and we look forward to presenting the facts about the proposals at committee and answering any questions elected members may have,” says Alistair Wood, AEG Europe’s EVP, real estate and development. “This reflects month of consultation and discussion with the public and key stakeholders prior to the application being submitted and a positive ongoing dialogue with all throughout the application process.
“This is the most sustainable site available and we’re determined to enhance Edinburgh as a venue for live music and other events. We are hopeful the planning committee will support the officers’ recommendations.”
Subject to planning permission, work is expected to begin on the project in early 2025. The Scottish capital’s current largest indoor venues are the 3,059-cap Edinburgh Playhouse and 3,000-cap O2 Academy Edinburgh.
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Germany’s first climate-neutral arena has moved a step closer after council officials gave the green light to its urban zoning plan.
The decision by Freising City Council means Bavaria-based developer SWMunich Real Estate has passed another significant hurdle towards the development of the MUCcc Arena in Munich.
SWMunich will build and operate the 20,000-cap venue, backed by more than €300 million of private sector investment.
The arena will be located in a new green space next to LabCampus, the technology and innovation centre at Munich Airport, with the seating to be arranged in a 270° horseshoe shape. Global design firm Populous was chosen as the architect earlier this year following a multi-stage architecture competition.
“We are delighted with the clear vote”
“With the submission of the zoning plan, Germany’s first climate-neutral concert arena has taken another important step forward,” says SWMunich MD Lorenz Schmid. “We are delighted with the clear vote.”
The new arena will be climate-neutral thanks to lifecycle-based planning to reduce the carbon footprint during construction and climate-positive management of the operating phase. Several thousand solar panels on the roof of the arena and around the site, coupled with the potential for geothermal energy and district heating, will ensure that the energy for operating the arena can be generated and supplied on site.
According to a Deloitte study, the new venue will bring an annual gross value added of around €285m to the region. A construction start date is yet to be set, but it is hoped to open in the next five years.
Schmid detailed the plans in a recent IQ article.
“Our project brings Munich into the champions league of indoor concert venues”
“Our project brings Munich into the champions league of indoor concert venues,” he said. “The new arena will be a cultural boost, an economic and tourism driver, and a role model in terms of sustainability standards – economically, ecologically, and socially.
“In the Munich region, there is neither an arena specially designed for concerts and live shows nor an indoor location with a capacity of up to 20,000 guests. We are closing this gap and thus supplementing the cultural offerings in the region and throughout Germany at a time of increasing demand.
“Our goal is to maintain world-class levels of quality and visitor comfort while remaining well below the energy requirements of comparable arenas in Europe.”
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Plans for Germany’s first climate-neutral arena have been given the go-ahead by council officials.
Bavaria-based developer SWMunich will build and operate the 20,000-cap MUCcc Arena in Munich, backed by more than €300 million of private sector investment.
The multi-use concert and convention centre will be tailored to the requirements of concerts and other live entertainment, as well as in the areas of sustainability, transport and the environment.
“For us, the decision of the Freising City Council is both an incentive and an obligation,” says Lorenz Schmid, MD of SWMunich. “Because we will build and operate Germany’s most modern and first climate-neutral concert arena. And this for the benefit of the region. With the positive decision in principle, the city council of Freising has secured the chance for its city to help develop one of the most exciting cultural projects in Germany.”
The arena will be located in a new green space next to LabCampus, the technology and innovation centre at Munich Airport, with the seating to be arranged in a 270° horseshoe shape, placing the focus on the multifunctional stage.
“The project will create a new cultural centre for Munich and the wider Bavarian region to rival the best live entertainment venues in the world”
“With the construction and operation of Germany’s most sustainable concert arena, many cultural, economic and touristic impulses are created for Freising and the region,” adds director Gert Waltenbauer. “The arena helps to make the metropolitan region of Munich and the free state of Bavaria future-proof and internationally competitive in the concert and event sector. With the KGAL Group as a leading, independent investment and asset manager, the management and financing of the project is secured in the long term.”
The new arena will be climate-neutral thanks to lifecycle-based planning to reduce the carbon footprint during construction and climate-positive management of the operating phase. Several thousand solar panels on the roof of the arena and around the site, coupled with the potential for geothermal energy and district heating, will ensure that the energy for operating the arena can be generated and supplied on site.
Global design firm Populous has been chosen as the architect following a multi-stage architecture competition. Its winning design draws upon Bavarian heritage and character, with the support structure paying homage to the lozenge shape used in the Bavarian state flag.
“The design for MUCcc Arena places people at its heart, delivering a unique and immersive visitor experience, as well as showcasing the very latest in sustainable design methods,” adds Declan Sharkey, senior principal at Populous and lead architect for the scheme. “The project will create a new cultural centre for Munich and the wider Bavarian region to rival the best live entertainment venues in the world.”
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