Argentinian Primera División club River Plate has appointed Spanish consulting, engineering and architecture company IDOM as project manager of the venture which aims to transform El Monumental into the largest football stadium in South America.
River said IDOM was selected after it conducted an “extensive study” of options for the redevelopment project. The venture was unanimously approved by the Buenos Aires giant’s assembly of member representatives and board of directors on February 23 after it was presented earlier in the month.
In November, River laid out its vision for the second phase of its redevelopment of El Monumental, stating that it will seek to transform its stadium into a cutting-edge venue which has the biggest capacity for a football facility in South America.
River in February 2021 returned to a revamped El Monumental, with the first phase completed of what was intended to be a broader redevelopment project. The latest phase of work will focus on expanding El Monumental by a further 9,000 seats, taking its capacity to 81,000.
The lowering of the playing field and removal of the athletics track that surrounds it will make it possible to implement new stands close to the pitch. Another important element of the work consists of the construction of a single exit tunnel from the changing rooms, centred on the San Martín grandstand and with internal views from the stand.
The project also foresees an expansion of the number of corporate boxes in the middle grandstands, therefore achieving a 360-degree connection that encompasses the existing boxes in the San Martín and Belgrano stands.
River said: “The generation of these new boxes, the new hospitality sectors, the construction of three parking floors, the inclusion of a new restaurant for daily use with views of the playing field and the River neighbourhood will mark a new standard of quality and service in what that this type of space refers to, throughout Latin America.
“Finally, the placement of new seats in the stadium will complete this important transformation of the historic Monumental, providing it with greater comfort and making it the largest and most modern in South America.”
The project is expected to cost $45m (£33.8m/€40.9m) and is set to be financed through a naming rights deal for El Monumental, plus revenue from the advanced sale of memberships ranging from five to 10 years. Work on the first phase is expected to complete in February 2023.
Image: River Plate
