NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: World-renowned firm behind Real Madrid’s super base to design new state-of-the-art training ground, Toon scouts track ‘next Luka Modric’ and why they face competition for targets from Man United
Every Thursday, get Craig Hope’s Newcastle Confidential on Mail+, along with more in-depth reporting, analysis,
and exclusive information from St. James Park.
The US-based firm, which has operations in the UK and Australia, designed the new 65,000-seat stadium for Roma
and was the architect behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They were also the masterminds of the magnificent
Real Madrid Sports City, which serves as the training facility for the Spanish powerhouses’ youth and senior teams.
Newcastle’s Saudi-led investors will expect that kind of ambition given the Madrid site’s small stadium, all-weather
fields, swimming pools, and media room.
It’s interesting to note that Populous created designs for a new training facility for Queens Park Rangers, which they
display on their website but which was never constructed. These designs provide a glimpse of their work and how
some elements of the Newcastle design might appear.
With other companies vying for the contract to construct a cutting-edge complex that is meant to be the Premier
League’s envy, the partnership with Newcastle is a huge win for Populous and the club. Architects FaulknerBrowns,
located in Tyneside, might also help with the project.
We understand that two sites made the shortlist – land near Newcastle Racecourse, owned by the Reuben family, and
in Woolsington, close to Newcastle Airport. The racecourse is the most likely.
Populous has been hired by Newcastle to construct its cutting-edge training facility (the blueprints for QPR’s training
ground are still displayed on their website).
Populous has been hired by Newcastle to construct its cutting-edge training facility (the blueprints for QPR’s training
ground are still displayed on their website).
Populous also designed Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training base which houses both the senior and youth sides
The next steps will be drawing up the ambitious plans, confirming the preferred site and contracting builders and
engineers to undertake the work. However, sources say completion is still several years away.
For now, Eddie Howe and his squad will remain at their Benton base. Confidential revealed in November that
expansion work is due to begin on that site, with extra buildings added to an area currently used as a car park.
Meanwhile, we have been told that Populous’ involvement with the new training ground does not mean they will also
be the architects who work on the stadium project, despite their expertise in this area. Sources have indicated it is
likely that Newcastle will use two different firms.
We are aware that Ryder Architecture, a company located in Newcastle, has gone to Riyadh and has previously
collaborated with the club; however, no decision has been made regarding the design of the new Leazes Park or the
redevelopment of St. James’ Park.
Construction firms are currently vying for the opportunity to spearhead the developments; Bowmer + Kirkland and
Laing O’Rourke are contenders.
But given Populous’s standing in the sports sector, fans are sure to embrace the news of the training field. Their
contributions to American athletics are stunning in some cases.
It is hoped that Newcastle will have a complex that helps draw in and nurture the greatest players in the world after
decades of utilising a facility that would not be considered among the top half of Premier League training facilities.
Their work at Real Madrid, Populous State, is described as follows: “The site consists of various outdoor training
fields, including two full-size, all-weather soccer fields, with exclusive facilities for the first team, including a separate
goalkeeping field and other special outdoor training facilities.” Additionally, there is a stadium with 20,000 seats
and an open bowl where Real Madrid’s second division team plays.
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