Highbury Square
| Highbury Square | |
|---|---|
 East Stand of Highbury Square | |
 | |
| Former names | Arsenal Stadium |
| Alternative names | Highbury |
| General information | |
| Type | Apartment complex |
| Location | Highbury |
| Address | Avenell Road, N5 |
| Town or city | London |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°33′28″N 0°6′10″W / 51.55778°N 0.10278°W |
| Construction started | 2006 |
| Completed | 2010 |
| Owner | Arsenal F.C. |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Claude Waterlow Ferrier and William Binnie |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect(s) | Allies and Morrison |
| Renovating firm | Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd. |
| Website | |
| myhighburysquare | |
Highbury Square is an apartment complex in Highbury, London. It is a redevelopment of the old Highbury Stadium site, the home stadium of Arsenal F.C. until 2006 when they moved to the newly built Emirates Stadium nearby.[1]
History
Arsenal Stadium was originally constructed in 1913, designed by Archibald Leitch.[2] It was redeveloped in the 1930s, with East and West Stands in the Art Deco style.[3] It remained the home of Arsenal for 93 years until 2006, when they moved into the new Emirates Stadium.
Redevelopment
The North Bank and Clock End were demolished while the older Grade II listed buildings of the East and West Stands remained as part of the development.[4] The pitch was redeveloped into gardens.[5] Several parts of Arsenal Stadium were retained including the marble halls, the bust of Herbert Chapman and the players' tunnel.[6] It was opened officially in 2009,[7] by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger.[8]
Designed by Allies and Morrison, the renovation of the complex has been praised by critics for creating "a feeling of openness and nature" while also providing "protection and privacy".[9] In 2009, Highbury Square's design won the MIPIM Special Jury Award.[10]
Property sales
Highbury Square has 650 flats. Former Arsenal player Robert Pires owned one of the flats which was sold in 2015 by Century21 Estate Agents.[11] Although it houses private residences, Highbury Square has a public footpath through it. Drainage issues in 2010 initially prevented this footpath from being opened, which led to it being called a "gated community" by local councillors.[12]
In 2009, Arsenal sold 150 apartments in Highbury Square to London & Stamford Property at a 20 per cent discount to market value because several buyers failed to complete apartment purchases.[13] Arsenal cleared their debt on Highbury Square by 2010.[14]
References
- ^ "Highbury Square". Arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ Stuart Free (2010-01-17). "Arsenal Stadium". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ "A Conservation Plan for Highbury Stadium, London" (PDF). Islington Council. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2007. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
- ^ Historic England (1997-07-16). "Details from listed building database (1119692)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ "Football ground now transformed". BBC News. 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ "Redevelopment of Highbury Stadium". London: Guardian. 2009-09-20. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ Media Group, Arsenal (24 September 2009). "Arsenal celebrates Highbury Square opening". www.arsenal.com. The Arsenal Football Club plc. Archived from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ Alan Smith (2009-09-18). "Alan Smith: Arsenal memories ensure club will always be at home at Highbury". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ Rowan Moore (2009-11-04). "Pride of the Gunners: High praise for Highbury Square". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ "Highbury Square wins MIPIM Special Jury Award 2009 (FR/UK)". Europe Real Estate. 2009-03-16. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ Matt Barlow (2009-09-18). "Brady bunch: Liam masterminds Arsenal future but the Highbury memories linger on". London: Daily Mail. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ "Highbury Square developers 'stalling' on public footpath access". Camden New Journal. 2010-02-12. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ Taylor, Peter (2009-09-28). "Arsenal accepts lowball offer for vacant Highbury Square flats". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ "Arsenal property deals send profits to record high". BBC News. 2010-09-24. Retrieved 2012-07-19.