The man behind Everton’s lauded new stadium is in the hunt for English football’s next big project.
American Dan Meis has reportedly talked up his chances of overseeing Birmingham City’s mega £3billion stadium and quarter renovation.
Everton's new ground has been a huge success, and that may help Meis land Birmingham
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Everton's new ground has been a huge success, and that may help Meis land BirminghamCredit: Getty
Meis has received universal praise for Hill Dickinson Stadium built on Bramley Moore Dock that faced the tough task of replacing the legendary Goodison Park.
However, the uniqueness of the new arena on the river Mersey and its fan-first design has quickly won over supporters and the public, and Meis hopes to do the same with Birmingham’s owners.
The Daily Mail quote the architect as saying of his next job: “Obviously there's the Birmingham stadium project and we're in the hunt for that.”
Blues chairman Tom Wagner has also confirmed he’s on the lookout, recently telling the Championship club’s website: "It's running full speed ahead.
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Sam Matterface gives a tour of Everton's new stadium
"We're in the process of final interviews for the architects. The planning process has been ongoing.”
Birmingham's new stadium project
The project is centred around a new 62,000 seater stadium to replace St. Andrews, a figure that would overtake Sheffield Wednesday’s 40,000 as the largest in the second tier.
Yet the project doesn’t end there, with Wagner’s plans seeing the stadium at the centre of a brand new ‘Sports Quarter’ which will include training facilities for the men’s, women’s, and youth teams, another indoor arena and entertainment facilities.
A goal has been set for 2030 to see the 125 acre project finished, and the Blues received two huge boosts this year to get the ball rolling.
The UK government pledged £2.4bn to improve the city’s transport infrastructure, and the local mayor then approved a new tram link from the centre to the ‘Sports Quarter’.
What has Birmingham's chairman said?
Wagner identified transport as the final piece of the puzzle to get things going, telling fans: “There are an incredible number of people working on this full-time. The big hurdle that was out of our control was transport - we got that.
Wanger (right) has won over fans, and Brady could well see his old NFL teams playing in Birmingham
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Wanger (right) has won over fans, and Brady could well see his old NFL teams playing in BirminghamCredit: Getty
birmingham new stadium
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The project has received local and national government support and fundingCredit: BLUES+ YouTube
"Adderley Park station will be completely rebuilt to accommodate full-sized trains to literally stop in the middle of the Sports Quarter. We'll connect central Birmingham out to our site and eventually onto the airport.
"We'll do significant improvements on traffic and flow, so getting people in and out of the Sports Quarter will be far better than what we experience today - despite the fact that we'll have more than double the number of people coming in and out on a daily basis.
“It's not just a stadium. It's a stadium, it's a training ground for men's, women's and academy.
“We'll have a full-sized arena, we'll have a show pitch for the women's side. We'll have a hotel, housing and office. It's going to be a true hub of activity.
“There'll be a lot going on and something that isn't only a Blues attraction but a Birmingham, West Midlands and national attraction."
The club have also said they hope to host rugby and American football at the new stadium, with NFL legend Tom Brady a prominent investor at the club.
birmingham new stadium
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The old ground is ready to be worked on now that transport links have been sortedCredit: BLUES+ YouTube
Early renders show a substantial project way beyond just a stadium
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Early renders show a substantial project way beyond just a stadiumCredit: BLUES+ YouTube
They’ve also planned a retractable pitch for concerts and other non-footballing activities.
Wagner became the club’s chairman in 2023 when his Knighthead firm bought the Blues, and a year later they purchased more of the land around the stadium.
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On the pitch there’s also been plenty of success, with Birmingham blasting through League One last season to record a massive 111 points and return to the second tier.
Heavy transfer spending has continued and despite the fact the Blues have just 12 points from nine games, it’s clear they’re gunning for a Premier League return after their 2011 relegation.