Commercial architecture comes in all shapes and sizes, from boutique shops to the largest indoor shopping centres and multi-storey office blocks. Although not large in terms of their total height football stadiums are amongst the largest when it comes to the amount of land they take up. This means that when one falls out of use it leaves a big opportunity for redevelopment.
The Stade Municipal du Ray in Nice in south west France is an interesting example of commercial architecture that is set to have a very impressive future. The stadium sits at the heart of the city and was opened in 1927, serving as the home of OGC Nice until it was replaced by the Allianz Riviera in 2013.
The decision to close the stadium and move to the new multi-use one was made for two reasons. Firstly the Stade du Ray had a small capacity and was costly to maintain. Secondly the city had been chosen as a host for the UEFA 2016 Euro Finals so a new venue was needed.
The empty Stade du Ray is now the focus of regeneration. Its position at the heart of the city means the land is highly sought after so it is earmarked for transformation. The latest development plan is to create a mixed use commercial and residential space complete with beautiful landscaped parkland. The renderings for what the design will look like are truly astonishing, particularly when you consider it is in the centre of an urban area.
The project will rejuvenate the old stadium, creating new commercial spaces, homes, and parks. The materials planned to be used reflect traditional ones widely seen in Nice, including the white stone and timbers that are commonly utilised on villas in the area. The design is inspired by the hills surrounding the city, with undulating structures at different levels. The sporting history of the site is also preserved with the provision of sports grounds.
The rejuvenation ideas are really impressive and showcase what can be done with old, disused stadiums. They could provide inspiration for designers around the world, including architects in the UK. The work could bring new life to these old pieces of commercial architecture.