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View Full Version : FF / EAST CORNER ..... again : - )



NAE NOOKIE
14-04-2025, 12:54 PM
Following the ongoing discussion about folk leaving early:

It's a fact the difficulty exiting the east at full time is the issue, so perhaps it's time Hibs seriously thought about developing the FF / East corner of the stadium. My guess ( and it is a guess ) is that we could fit 1,500 seats in that corner, which would allow us to put another floor on the east with new exits half way up it without losing capacity .... in fact giving us a net increase.

Two things:

A) .... It shouldn't be forgotten we lost a few hundred seats from the from of the FF, South and West as part of past redevelopments, so any FF / East development would also replace them.

B) .... In an era where clubs billions in debt like Real Madrid and Barcelona still seem able to find billions for massive stadium redevelopments .... not to mention billions in debt Man Utd talking about spending 2 billion on a hew gaff ... it surely isn't that outlandish to think Hibs could find 10 million quid or so to make this happen .... I doubt an absolutely basic construction project with no frills would cost much more than that, and surely our minted Anglo American overlords could chip in to help.

It would probably mean Hibs having to find a way to sling the big screens under the roof of the FF and south stands .... not a bad thing for folk in the east.

I'm excited already :greengrin

nonshinyfinish
14-04-2025, 12:57 PM
Two sure-fire signs that Hibs are currently good:

- The things being moaned about are trivial

- Threads about filling in the corners

Long may it continue

GreenCastle
14-04-2025, 01:15 PM
Love a fill in the corners thread but I’m greedy and want 2 corners filled in. 1 would just look little odd.

I think we would fill it for derbies and other bigger games.

Few issues:.

££
Players car park
Screens
Single tier / double tier

The women’s World Cup is supposedly coming to the UK in 2035 so possibly a good opportunity to think about stadium upgrades by then.

Hibby70
14-04-2025, 01:34 PM
Love a full in the corners thread but I’m greasy and want 2 corners filled in. 1 would just look little odd.

I think we would fill it for derbies and other bigger games.

Few issues:.

££
Players car park
Screens
Single tier / double tier

The women’s World Cup is supposedly coming to the UK in 2035 so possibly a good opportunity to think about stadium upgrades by then.

You get special shampoo for that

GreenCastle
14-04-2025, 01:36 PM
You get special shampoo for that

Typos galore ! Ha

makaveli1875
14-04-2025, 01:38 PM
Should have done it years ago when seats and concrete were cheaper

NAE NOOKIE
14-04-2025, 02:01 PM
Two sure-fire signs that Hibs are currently good:

- The things being moaned about are trivial

- Threads about filling in the corners

Long may it continue

:agree:

I have to admit I'm a bit of a stadium geek and love following the building and renovation of them on You tube .... especially the Everton one ... thanks Mr Drone :greengrin ... I would love to be following a Hibs one.

It's a serious subject as well though and I was struck by a comment by a Jambo on JKB who rightly pointed out that as clubs grow ( which is the hope of all clubs ) Hearts inability to increase their capacity any further would push folk more towards Hibs who still have the ability to increase their capacity.

There's plenty of folk on here who can remember a time when suggesting averages of 14 or 15 thousand at ER would have got you laughed at, but that's where we have been for nearly 9 years now.
There was plenty of folk who thought doubling the capacity of the east to create a 20,000 plus capacity stadium was a folly .... that folly has probably more than paid for itself by now.

Against that backdrop a project that would take us up to about 21,500 or so and also make the east an easier stand to be in, while at the same time almost certainly improving the stadium's atmosphere, is hardly the stuff of dreams ... and it certainly shouldn't be for a club with the undoubted ambitions of Hibs. You can only stand still for so long until you start to go backwards.

Alfred E Newman
14-04-2025, 02:02 PM
Should have done it years ago when seats and concrete were cheaper

Petrie! :grr::grr::grr:

He's here!
14-04-2025, 02:08 PM
I'm surprised the East design got the go-ahead from a health and safety perspective, with the exits so far from the upper rows. What's the evacuation procedure in an emergency?

Kato
14-04-2025, 02:18 PM
I'm surprised the East design got the go-ahead from a health and safety perspective, with the exits so far from the upper rows. What's the evacuation procedure in an emergency?Go on the pitch.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

Sioux
14-04-2025, 02:33 PM
:agree:

I have to admit I'm a bit of a stadium geek and love following the building and renovation of them on You tube .... especially the Everton one ... thanks Mr Drone :greengrin ... I would love to be following a Hibs one.

It's a serious subject as well though and I was struck by a comment by a Jambo on JKB who rightly pointed out that as clubs grow ( which is the hope of all clubs ) Hearts inability to increase their capacity any further would push folk more towards Hibs who still have the ability to increase their capacity.

There's plenty of folk on here who can remember a time when suggesting averages of 14 or 15 thousand at ER would have got you laughed at, but that's where we have been for nearly 9 years now.
There was plenty of folk who thought doubling the capacity of the east to create a 20,000 plus capacity stadium was a folly .... that folly has probably more than paid for itself by now.

Against that backdrop a project that would take us up to about 21,500 or so and also make the east an easier stand to be in, while at the same time almost certainly improving the stadium's atmosphere, is hardly the stuff of dreams ... and it certainly shouldn't be for a club with the undoubted ambitions of Hibs. You can only stand still for so long until you start to go backwards.

If you want to spend £10m for an extra 1,000 or so seats, you’ve not thought this through. We only fill the home areas when we look like winnings derbies. There were loads of empty seats on Saturday at a time when the team could hardly having a better results period. There’s no evidence of that changing, despite cries that we’d fill the stadium if we had a good team. We’ve got that now.

Jack
14-04-2025, 02:34 PM
I'm sure when the current east was built it was said it had been future proofed so that a second tier could be built on top of the existing structure.

There's also been rumours of a deck being added inside for hospitality offerings. You would hope if that was done something could be built in to make it easier to get out the stand more generally.

SHODAN
14-04-2025, 02:50 PM
Can you just leave a minute before the end of injury time, it's not hard

.Sean.
14-04-2025, 04:57 PM
I don’t imagine it’s as easy as folk make out to just join the East and F5. The two stands would join up at a really funny angle unless you removed chunks out of the FFL and the East, you’d also be matching up a single tier stand with a steeper rake than a two tiered stand. Of course it could be done but not as simple as it would initially seem I don’t think.

We are miles away from needing more seats anyway. We can’t even get the south half filled when we’re on a record equalling run.

Trinity Hibee
14-04-2025, 05:00 PM
Can you just leave a minute before the end of injury time, it's not hard

Loads try that and the stairs end up being blocked for the last 5 mins of the game. I don’t mind people leaving early, but if you get up to leave then go, don’t stand blocking the stairs and blocking folk who’s seats are on the end of rows

CentreLine
14-04-2025, 05:07 PM
On the subject of our stadium, did anyone see the incredible, LEGO scale model of the stadium in the main reception area on Sunday? Not sure who was responsible but absolutely stunning in its accuracy and the work that must have gone in to it.

Sorry I have no idea how to post a picture but I’m sure someone will have one.

jacomo
14-04-2025, 05:14 PM
If you want to spend £10m for an extra 1,000 or so seats, you’ve not thought this through. We only fill the home areas when we look like winnings derbies. There were loads of empty seats on Saturday at a time when the team could hardly having a better results period. There’s no evidence of that changing, despite cries that we’d fill the stadium if we had a good team. We’ve got that now.


There's a time lag for attendance to respond to results - equally, it takes time for attendances to dip if we endure a bad run.

It's likely that Easter Road will need more capacity soon.

itslegaltender
14-04-2025, 05:31 PM
this thread is worth nothing till someone gives us a mock up for us to drool over. You potentially could keep the car park but just build over it.....

Musselbound
14-04-2025, 05:32 PM
If you want to spend £10m for an extra 1,000 or so seats, you’ve not thought this through. We only fill the home areas when we look like winnings derbies. There were loads of empty seats on Saturday at a time when the team could hardly having a better results period. There’s no evidence of that changing, despite cries that we’d fill the stadium if we had a good team. We’ve got that now.

Pretty much my thoughts. We'd need a sustained period of success to really justify increasing capacity, especially with the sort of money mentioned. I'd rather see a few extra million spent on the player budget to keep us strong and competitive. We also have to consider the possibility of strengthening the squad to play on two fronts next season. That's notoriously difficult in itself.

Keith_M
14-04-2025, 05:39 PM
If you want to spend £10m for an extra 1,000 or so seats, you’ve not thought this through. We only fill the home areas when we look like winnings derbies. There were loads of empty seats on Saturday at a time when the team could hardly having a better results period. There’s no evidence of that changing, despite cries that we’d fill the stadium if we had a good team. We’ve got that now.


I'm not arguing that we'll need the extra seats, but I honestly don't think filling that corner would cost anywhere near £10 million.

Helensburghhibs
14-04-2025, 05:47 PM
With the increased trend in attendances over the years., do you think that we will regret allowing the overall footprint of easter Road and land owned to become so small?

04Sauzee
14-04-2025, 06:07 PM
I'm not arguing that we'll need the extra seats, but I honestly don't think filling that corner would cost anywhere near £10 million.

Think it cost Hearts something like 18.5m to 21 m for their new stand, im sure it was meant to come in around 12m

My figures could be way off.

hibee
14-04-2025, 06:32 PM
On the subject of our stadium, did anyone see the incredible, LEGO scale model of the stadium in the main reception area on Sunday? Not sure who was responsible but absolutely stunning in its accuracy and the work that must have gone in to it.

Sorry I have no idea how to post a picture but I’m sure someone will have one.

https://x.com/hibernianfc/status/1911011418725630005?s=61&t=NzwNqgQPmkQf9xtor6QZnA

CentreLine
14-04-2025, 06:43 PM
https://x.com/hibernianfc/status/1911011418725630005?s=61&t=NzwNqgQPmkQf9xtor6QZnA

That’s superb, thanks for finding that.

Hibby Kay-Yay
14-04-2025, 07:09 PM
Do it Hibs…(Courtesy of ChatGPT)

28697

Upgrading Hibernian FC’s Easter Road Stadium to fill in the corners (connecting the North, East, and West stands with continuous seating) would depend on a number of factors, but here’s a rough estimate and breakdown:

1. Estimated Construction Cost (Per Corner)

For relatively modest infill seating that matches the existing style:
• Basic stand infill: £2 million – £4 million per corner
• Premium design (with hospitality, improved access, and facilities): £5 million – £8 million per corner

2. Total Estimate for Both NW and NE Corners
• Basic estimate: £4 million – £8 million total
• High-spec estimate: £10 million – £16 million total



3. Cost Influencers
• Seating capacity added: Each corner might add ~1,000–1,500 seats depending on design, adding 2,000–3,000 total.
• Infrastructure upgrades: Access points, toilets, food & beverage areas, etc.
• Planning permissions and regulations in Edinburgh
• Construction logistics: Tight urban location, working around the existing structure
• Sustainability & materials: More eco-friendly builds may cost more upfront



4. Possible Funding Sources
• Club capital reserves
• External investment or sponsorship
• Fan funding initiatives
• Government or council grants (less likely unless part of a community project)

SHODAN
14-04-2025, 07:26 PM
Loads try that and the stairs end up being blocked for the last 5 mins of the game. I don’t mind people leaving early, but if you get up to leave then go, don’t stand blocking the stairs and blocking folk who’s seats are on the end of rows

There's always some free seats near the entrance. I appreciate the blocking the stairs thing, I'll always sit in an empty seat if I make it down too quickly.

tamig
14-04-2025, 07:30 PM
Following the ongoing discussion about folk leaving early:

It's a fact the difficulty exiting the east at full time is the issue, so perhaps it's time Hibs seriously thought about developing the FF / East corner of the stadium. My guess ( and it is a guess ) is that we could fit 1,500 seats in that corner, which would allow us to put another floor on the east with new exits half way up it without losing capacity .... in fact giving us a net increase.

Two things:

A) .... It shouldn't be forgotten we lost a few hundred seats from the from of the FF, South and West as part of past redevelopments, so any FF / East development would also replace them.

B) .... In an era where clubs billions in debt like Real Madrid and Barcelona still seem able to find billions for massive stadium redevelopments .... not to mention billions in debt Man Utd talking about spending 2 billion on a hew gaff ... it surely isn't that outlandish to think Hibs could find 10 million quid or so to make this happen .... I doubt an absolutely basic construction project with no frills would cost much more than that, and surely our minted Anglo American overlords could chip in to help.

It would probably mean Hibs having to find a way to sling the big screens under the roof of the FF and south stands .... not a bad thing for folk in the east.

I'm excited already :greengrin

There’s not a chance you’ll get 1500 seats in that corner. 500-700 at most. Unless you are looking at a radical restructure of the East itself - which isn’t going to happen at this time.

Keith_M
14-04-2025, 07:33 PM
Do it Hibs…(Courtesy of ChatGPT)

28697

Upgrading Hibernian FC’s Easter Road Stadium to fill in the corners (connecting the North, East, and West stands with continuous seating) would depend on a number of factors, but here’s a rough estimate and breakdown:

1. Estimated Construction Cost (Per Corner)

For relatively modest infill seating that matches the existing style:
• Basic stand infill: £2 million – £4 million per corner
• Premium design (with hospitality, improved access, and facilities): £5 million – £8 million per corner

2. Total Estimate for Both NW and NE Corners
• Basic estimate: £4 million – £8 million total
• High-spec estimate: £10 million – £16 million total



3. Cost Influencers
• Seating capacity added: Each corner might add ~1,000–1,500 seats depending on design, adding 2,000–3,000 total.
• Infrastructure upgrades: Access points, toilets, food & beverage areas, etc.
• Planning permissions and regulations in Edinburgh
• Construction logistics: Tight urban location, working around the existing structure
• Sustainability & materials: More eco-friendly builds may cost more upfront



4. Possible Funding Sources
• Club capital reserves
• External investment or sponsorship
• Fan funding initiatives
• Government or council grants (less likely unless part of a community project)



This has been discussed a number of times, but It's not possible to fill in the corner between the FF and West Stands.

A quick look at Google Maps and you'll understand why.

Hibby Kay-Yay
14-04-2025, 07:34 PM
This has been discussed a number of times, but It's not possible to fill in the corner between the FF and West Stands.

A quick look at Google Maps and you'll understand why.

Anything is possible. Just not probable.

Crazyhorse
14-04-2025, 07:37 PM
This has been discussed a number of times, but It's not possible to fill in the corner between the FF and West Stands.

A quick look at Google Maps and you'll understand why.

I’m confused is this not about the corner between the FF and the East Stand?

tamig
14-04-2025, 07:39 PM
Do it Hibs…(Courtesy of ChatGPT)

28697

Upgrading Hibernian FC’s Easter Road Stadium to fill in the corners (connecting the North, East, and West stands with continuous seating) would depend on a number of factors, but here’s a rough estimate and breakdown:

1. Estimated Construction Cost (Per Corner)

For relatively modest infill seating that matches the existing style:
• Basic stand infill: £2 million – £4 million per corner
• Premium design (with hospitality, improved access, and facilities): £5 million – £8 million per corner

2. Total Estimate for Both NW and NE Corners
• Basic estimate: £4 million – £8 million total
• High-spec estimate: £10 million – £16 million total



3. Cost Influencers
• Seating capacity added: Each corner might add ~1,000–1,500 seats depending on design, adding 2,000–3,000 total.
• Infrastructure upgrades: Access points, toilets, food & beverage areas, etc.
• Planning permissions and regulations in Edinburgh
• Construction logistics: Tight urban location, working around the existing structure
• Sustainability & materials: More eco-friendly builds may cost more upfront



4. Possible Funding Sources
• Club capital reserves
• External investment or sponsorship
• Fan funding initiatives
• Government or council grants (less likely unless part of a community project)

I don’t think we’ll ever get a symmetrical solution in the corners. The north/west corner is very problematic due to the road layout and existing tenements. It would need some really clever design work and a lot of cash to fill that corner with even a small amount of seats there. The south/east corner has similar challenges.

Keith_M
14-04-2025, 07:40 PM
Anything is possible. Just not probable.



Yep, arranging a compulsory purchase of a couple of blocks of flats on Albion Place, knocking them down, re-routing the road and then demolishing the ticket office building would make it a bit expensive.

tamig
14-04-2025, 07:40 PM
I’m confused is this not about the corner between the FF and the East Stand?

Kay-yay was talking the full monty.

Jack
14-04-2025, 07:44 PM
This has been discussed a number of times, but It's not possible to fill in the corner between the FF and West Stands.

A quick look at Google Maps and you'll understand why.

There are instances around the world where stadia overhang a public highway or similar.

In the UK it is possible for private individuals and companies to get permission to build structures over public spaces.

However in this instance there is no way the anti Hibs City of Edinburgh Council would grant permission for this to happen.

If hertz were in a similar situation they'd probably get a grant for it!

tamig
14-04-2025, 07:48 PM
There are instances around the world where stadia overhang a public highway or similar.

In the UK it is possible for private individuals and companies to get permission to build structures over public spaces.

However in this instance there is no way the anti Hibs City of Edinburgh Council would grant permission for this to happen.

If hertz were in a similar situation they'd probably get a grant for it!

Hertz would have about 500 boxes of planning papers though. Always the biggest.

Crazyhorse
14-04-2025, 07:55 PM
Kay-yay was talking the full monty.

👍😅

Crazyhorse
14-04-2025, 08:00 PM
I don’t think we’ll ever get a symmetrical solution in the corners. The north/west corner is very problematic due to the road layout and existing tenements. It would need some really clever design work and a lot of cash to fill that corner with even a small amount of seats there. The south/east corner has similar challenges.

I think it’s the Anderlecht stadium which has two corners like ER. They just put up some cool looking hospitality boxes to fill in those corners if I remember rightly. Been ages since I lived in Belgium and only went there once so it’s a bit of a vague memory tbh but it seemed like a good solution.

RoYO!
14-04-2025, 08:03 PM
For the NW corner I'd essentially extend the famous five lower tier round to join the west. I'd then put a decent TV studio/ fancy hospitality box above it. May even be able to get the TV companies to pay towards it. Could whack a big screen in above this- probably the one from the north end of the east stand.

In NE we could hopefully maintain the majority of the car park with a cantilevered design over the existing space. Not sure about getting folk in and out. Could potentially use existing exits?

With getting out the east already an issue that may be a non starter.

No clue how I'd go about adding exits into the middle of the east. I guess it would need a new deck within the east concourse and stairs up to this.

I'm sure at the time of construction it was noted that the roofs did not require the panelling/ steels at the sides- these are to stop wind/ rain, rather than support the roof. Anyway that is my 2 bits!

GreenCastle
14-04-2025, 09:05 PM
For the NW corner I'd essentially extend the famous five lower tier round to join the west. I'd then put a decent TV studio/ fancy hospitality box above it. May even be able to get the TV companies to pay towards it. Could whack a big screen in above this- probably the one from the north end of the east stand.

In NE we could hopefully maintain the majority of the car park with a cantilevered design over the existing space. Not sure about getting folk in and out. Could potentially use existing exits?

With getting out the east already an issue that may be a non starter.

No clue how I'd go about adding exits into the middle of the east. I guess it would need a new deck within the east concourse and stairs up to this.

I'm sure at the time of construction it was noted that the roofs did not require the panelling/ steels at the sides- these are to stop wind/ rain, rather than support the roof. Anyway that is my 2 bits!

My thoughts were they do what they did to the back of north stand at Hampden and build back from the east slightly - add exits at the back also and add hospitality too at top / tv studio maybe also.

For corners - the idea of just a lower bowl tier would probably be the only way like Ibrox - east and south / east and north to link the 3 stands and leave west to stand alone.

itslegaltender
14-04-2025, 09:21 PM
28698 Thanks to the other poster, had a look at Anderlechts. This.... could.... work for Easter Road either side of the FF. Smaller hospitality style block for the small area between West and FF, normal fill in on the other. Probably leave both corners at either side

LaMotta
14-04-2025, 10:01 PM
With the increased trend in attendances over the years., do you think that we will regret allowing the overall footprint of Easter Road and land owned to become so small?

There is a theory around stadium capacities that it is good for demand for seats to slightly outstrip supply of seats. Increasing the capacity could strangely end up being counterproductive in terms of selling more tickets, as it would be too easy to get one.


Hibs first port of call would be to get to that stage consistently whereby demand out strips current supply over a number of years - so that season tickets become extremely valuable and almost vital to guarantee a seat. At the same time we can reduce away allocations. Then we have waiting lists for season tickets and people reluctant to give them up.

Once you get that for a few years then you could think about increasing capacity. I don't think we are there yet, but there's no doubt we could get there one day.

NAE NOOKIE
14-04-2025, 10:36 PM
I don’t imagine it’s as easy as folk make out to just join the East and F5. The two stands would join up at a really funny angle unless you removed chunks out of the FFL and the East, you’d also be matching up a single tier stand with a steeper rake than a two tiered stand. Of course it could be done but not as simple as it would initially seem I don’t think.

We are miles away from needing more seats anyway. We can’t even get the south half filled when we’re on a record equalling run.

The rake of the upper FF is steeper than the lower, probably similar to the east. All you need to do is extend the east round to meet the FF top deck without joining it to the FF lower, where you could leave a small gap ...... it would not disrupt the sight line from either stand if it was done that way. Take a look at Celtic park ... the end stands do not match up with the side stand opposite the main stand there either.

If I recall correctly when the new east was opened in the 10/11 season we had a crowd of just over 18,000 against Rangers 1872 and that was the biggest crowd at ER for a number of years.
In the preceding decade our average crowds were:

00/01 .... 10,793
01/02 .... 11,603
02/03 .... 9,937
03/04 .... 9,150
04/05 .... 12,539
05/06 .... 13,818
06/07 .... 14,488
07/08 .... 13,884
08/09 .... 12,684
09/10 .... 12,164

What I'm suggesting is an increase of around 1000 to 1,500 seats, far less than the nearly 3000 the new east added to the stadium in 2010, based on average crowds that are way better than under 13,000 in 7 out of 10 seasons ... so when you look at that comparison it's anything but 'miles away' from being required when compared with the circumstances we were in during the first decade of the 2000s.

Also ... what has to be considered is that, yes if we want to increase the number of seats for Hibs fans we can take part of the south from the Uglies ( we can't even do it to Hearts without them doing it to us ) but if we added these seats to the 3 home stands we could accommodate more Hibs fans and still accommodate 4000 away fans .... more money for us = more money for the team long term.

Yes you can talk about cost per seat of the build .... In Spurs new stadium that was allegedly £19,000 per seat .... the new Hearts stand worked out at nearly £3000 per seat ..... you wouldn't be talking about anything like that if Hibs went down the basic route, as they did with the east.

Frazerbob
15-04-2025, 07:39 AM
28698 Thanks to the other poster, had a look at Anderlechts. This.... could.... work for Easter Road either side of the FF. Smaller hospitality style block for the small area between West and FF, normal fill in on the other. Probably leave both corners at either side

I remember we were all drooling over their stadium after we played them in 1992. Still looks cracking for a mid-sized ground.

Hibs Go Bragh
15-04-2025, 08:45 AM
I'm sure it's Nottingham Forest who have like a multi storey style structure in one corner with hospitality boxes. It does look a bit temporary in its appearance so I 'd want something better looking but we could easily put this in the north west corner (maybe even south west as well) imagine groups of 10-12 with their own private box, unlimited food and drink and seating right outside the window. It would sell out every home game!

If we're talking complete fantasy then I'd go back in time and rebuild the east as a two tier stand. We could fill in the corners easy, it would take less time to exit the east, less people would leave early, more people would be there to clap the players off, people wouldn't have their view restricted by folks leaving early. Seeing as we've no football problems just now this would solve all our remaining problems in one lol

One Day Soon
15-04-2025, 09:01 AM
I'm sure it's Nottingham Forest who have like a multi storey style structure in one corner with hospitality boxes. It does look a bit temporary in its appearance so I 'd want something better looking but we could easily put this in the north west corner (maybe even south west as well) imagine groups of 10-12 with their own private box, unlimited food and drink and seating right outside the window. It would sell out every home game!

If we're talking complete fantasy then I'd go back in time and rebuild the east as a two tier stand. We could fill in the corners easy, it would take less time to exit the east, less people would leave early, more people would be there to clap the players off, people wouldn't have their view restricted by folks leaving early. Seeing as we've no football problems just now this would solve all our remaining problems in one lol

When the Euros were mooted for a UK bid around about 2000 a study was done showing how the east could be given another tier. I think it was a proposal for a temporary additional level, but it is possible.

tamig
15-04-2025, 09:50 AM
When the Euros were mooted for a UK bid around about 2000 a study was done showing how the east could be given another tier. I think it was a proposal for a temporary additional level, but it is possible.

The stadium footprint has been reduced significantly since these plans were being mooted. And before the new East was designed and built.

CentreLine
15-04-2025, 10:03 AM
The design of ER was future proofed at time of building. The architects ensured that it would be possible to fill in all four corners at some later date, if required. That’s not necessarily entirely with seating. There are tv studios and hospitality boxes to be considered too.
I spoke with Garry O’Hagan last season and he confirmed it was still possible today.

Personally I would want to raise the corner seating five or six feet above the existing seating. That would allow for simple segregation solutions and also ensure no restricted views.

DickieDastardly
15-04-2025, 12:02 PM
The East stand was built with capacity to add a mid level concourse, it also has a structure which allows a hotel or similar to be built within.

It would be great to see the corners filled in but we are a long long way off that ever happening. Oh and getting out of the east at FT even from halfway up is brutal - I can understand people leaving early.

Phil MaGlass
15-04-2025, 12:06 PM
Dont know why they just dont put a massive tent up in the gap between the east and FF and put portable bars in there and a bit of live music before the games. Oh just to add, I think it would be a waste of cash filling the corners in as it wont guarantee more income and from what I have experienced from my club in the Hague, fans hardly ever sit in these seats.

JeMeSouviens
15-04-2025, 12:50 PM
When the Euros were mooted for a UK bid around about 2000 a study was done showing how the east could be given another tier. I think it was a proposal for a temporary additional level, but it is possible.

When it didn't happen we sold the car park area behind the east stand and there are blocks of flats there now. You'd have to knock those down to make it possible again.

NAE NOOKIE
15-04-2025, 12:54 PM
Dont know why they just dont put a massive tent up in the gap between the east and FF and put portable bars in there and a bit of live music before the games. Oh just to add, I think it would be a waste of cash filling the corners in as it wont guarantee more income and from what I have experienced from my club in the Hague, fans hardly ever sit in these seats.

When it comes to stadium revamps it's not always about simply increasing the capacity. There's also the look and feel of the stadium, modernising it to make it more user friendly ( eg quicker access to and exit from stands ) and better aesthetics and atmosphere. Real Madrid have just spent 1.5 billion quid that only added a mere 4000 seats to an 81,000 capacity stadium.

It might not 'guarantee' income .... but it gives the ability to increase it if demand rises. As I pointed out in another post, when Hibs increased ER by 3000 seats 15 years ago ( all in the home stands it should be remembered ) our average crowds justified it even less than adding 1000 to 1,500 seats would be justified now. How often in that 15 years have Hibs had crowds over the 17,500 capacity ER was before the east was built?

EG .... Last season we had several home crowds over 17,500 to a total of 8,389 for those games ( every one of those extra fans was a Hibs fan ) over what we would have got if we hadn't built the new east, that was during a season when we were utter pish and following two seasons where we had finished 5th and 7th. That really puts to bed any thought that if this club was to have even a reasonable period of success we couldn't use another 1000 or so seats.

GreenCastle
15-04-2025, 12:54 PM
A question is what will happen in say 20 years time…

Will Hibs knock down and rebuild any of the stands ?

If I was a jambo I would be concerned about the state of their crap stands - only a matter of time before they need replaced.

overdrive
15-04-2025, 12:57 PM
When it didn't happen we sold the car park area behind the east stand and there are blocks of flats there now. You'd have to knock those down to make it possible again.

You could probably build a small second tier within the existing footprint if it overhangs some of the existing seating. IIRC, the top tier of the main stand at Ibrox was built within the existing footprint. Only thing is, you'd probably not then be able to fill in the corners as I think they had to build those two staircases in the corners at either end of that stand for access, unless you could do something internally within the East.

Thatdayinmay16
15-04-2025, 01:03 PM
Dont know why they just dont put a massive tent up in the gap between the east and FF and put portable bars in there and a bit of live music before the games. Oh just to add, I think it would be a waste of cash filling the corners in as it wont guarantee more income and from what I have experienced from my club in the Hague, fans hardly ever sit in these seats.

Not sure I agree with a tent but certainly an extra building block or area like the below between the West and FF or the East & FF would be great.

You could give Sky/BT/Premier sports & Hibs TV the top area with a lounge like you see in many stadiums where the pundits sit and go over the game. The rest could be sold as hospitality or area's for fans/sponsors etc.

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/anderlecht-brussels-capital-region-belgium-football-stadium-seats-green-pitch-258654848.jpg

overdrive
15-04-2025, 01:06 PM
Dont know why they just dont put a massive tent up in the gap between the east and FF and put portable bars in there and a bit of live music before the games. Oh just to add, I think it would be a waste of cash filling the corners in as it wont guarantee more income and from what I have experienced from my club in the Hague, fans hardly ever sit in these seats.

I was at a game at Millwall last season. There was a warehouse type building on the corner of the street that approached the stadium (probably akin to St Clair St but not as big as that) that Millwall had taken over as a sort of fan zone. It got me thinking if that unit on the corner of St Clair St / Hawkhill Ave that is currently Wolselly ever became available whether the club would be interested in taking it over. Could have a fan zone, additional hospitality, offices or small museum, etc. and provide extra parking for staff and the media, etc.

Hibs90
15-04-2025, 02:19 PM
Two sure-fire signs that Hibs are currently good:

- The things being moaned about are trivial

- Threads about filling in the corners

Long may it continue

I remember threads like this from waaaaaaaaaay back in the day.

NAE NOOKIE
15-04-2025, 02:25 PM
Not sure I agree with a tent but certainly an extra building block or area like the below between the West and FF or the East & FF would be great.

You could give Sky/BT/Premier sports & Hibs TV the top area with a lounge like you see in many stadiums where the pundits sit and go over the game. The rest could be sold as hospitality or area's for fans/sponsors etc.

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/anderlecht-brussels-capital-region-belgium-football-stadium-seats-green-pitch-258654848.jpg

Would be perfect for the Southwest corner ...... but you would still need to leave clearance underneath it because that's the entrance for ambulances and the like in an emergency.

itslegaltender
15-04-2025, 06:48 PM
When the Euros were mooted for a UK bid around about 2000 a study was done showing how the east could be given another tier. I think it was a proposal for a temporary additional level, but it is possible.

It was for Scotlands own 2008 Euro bid that got broken when Jack McDonnell became FM and insisted we join up with Ireland despite UEFA at the time saying a solo bid was preferred.

Ribs1875
15-04-2025, 07:09 PM
I would love to see the Gordons use that bit of land to build a hotel to lease out something similar to the village hotel, gym and spa complex.

Since90+2
15-04-2025, 07:12 PM
I was at a game at Millwall last season. There was a warehouse type building on the corner of the street that approached the stadium (probably akin to St Clair St but not as big as that) that Millwall had taken over as a sort of fan zone. It got me thinking if that unit on the corner of St Clair St / Hawkhill Ave that is currently Wolselly ever became available whether the club would be interested in taking it over. Could have a fan zone, additional hospitality, offices or small museum, etc. and provide extra parking for staff and the media, etc.

Would be brilliant.

That's a sizeable bit of land though, the cost to buy it then build something like that would be huge you would imagine.

cubehindthegoal
15-04-2025, 07:12 PM
Dont know why they just dont put a massive tent up in the gap between the east and FF and put portable bars in there and a bit of live music before the games. Oh just to add, I think it would be a waste of cash filling the corners in as it wont guarantee more income and from what I have experienced from my club in the Hague, fans hardly ever sit in these seats.

Think it would be good if Hibs started to look at the spaces outside the ground that are left .. could make some money for our club by being innovative and creating things like pop-ups that fans who like that sort of thing could use. We are a club with a history of leading in some areas … I could see it being a thing around the ground that’s absolutely buzzing for three hours or so before a match. Build it and they’ll come .. I went to one of our hospitality things and struggled for seats for us and table nearly two hours before … and I myself simply cannot afford to visit Hibs hospitality every season, never mind every fortnight … if things are free to be in, and you spend what you can afford .. marquee bars, music (there’s loads of musicians in Edinburgh and beyond who would love to perform at that, and will be appreciated financially by us fans I’m sure
tipping them), food stalls, perhaps even other stalls … though I recognise the “fun” police might worry .. but hopefully sense would prevail ..

I’m sure there are obstacles some folk will come up with .. but then all good ideas have to face them.

nonshinyfinish
16-04-2025, 07:26 AM
It was for Scotlands own 2008 Euro bid that got broken when Jack McDonnell became FM and insisted we join up with Ireland despite UEFA at the time saying a solo bid was preferred.

UEFA were so set on a solo bid that they awarded the tournament to Austria and Switzerland?

dangermouse
16-04-2025, 02:28 PM
I'm sure it's Nottingham Forest who have like a multi storey style structure in one corner with hospitality boxes. It does look a bit temporary in its appearance so I 'd want something better looking but we could easily put this in the north west corner (maybe even south west as well) imagine groups of 10-12 with their own private box, unlimited food and drink and seating right outside the window. It would sell out every home game!

If we're talking complete fantasy then I'd go back in time and rebuild the east as a two tier stand. We could fill in the corners easy, it would take less time to exit the east, less people would leave early, more people would be there to clap the players off, people wouldn't have their view restricted by folks leaving early. Seeing as we've no football problems just now this would solve all our remaining problems in one lol

As a member of the prawn sandwich stand brigade, I was always in favour of a two tier East Stand but those who were going to occupy the new stand were dead against it saying the stadium would look bland. Well, bugg€r me, the current occupants are moaning about a single tier and how difficult it is to get out etc. You should have listened :wink::na na:

GreenCastle
16-04-2025, 03:01 PM
As a member of the prawn sandwich stand brigade, I was always in favour of a two tier East Stand but those who were going to occupy the new stand were dead against it saying the stadium would look bland. Well, bugg€r me, the current occupants are moaning about a single tier and how difficult it is to get out etc. You should have listened :wink::na na:

It’s good to have both.

Modern stadia are going for steep 1 tier stands to help atmosphere.

Wouldn’t want it all like Tynecastle - think having the 2 tiers shows a classy stadium and makes stadium look bigger.

BoomtownHibees
16-04-2025, 03:07 PM
It’s good to have both.

Modern stadia are going for steep 1 tier stands to help atmosphere.

Wouldn’t want it all like Tynecastle - think having the 2 tiers shows a classy stadium and makes stadium look bigger.

Tynecastle has got 2 tiers don’t you know?

Thatdayinmay16
16-04-2025, 03:13 PM
Tynecastle has got 2 tiers don’t you know?

Be more than 2 tiers watching that every week.:greengrin

Bridge hibs
16-04-2025, 03:15 PM
Tynecastle has got 2 tiers don’t you know?

Tynecastle has floods of tears

erin go bragh
16-04-2025, 03:16 PM
On the subject of our stadium, did anyone see the incredible, LEGO scale model of the stadium in the main reception area on Sunday? Not sure who was responsible but absolutely stunning in its accuracy and the work that must have gone in to it.

Sorry I have no idea how to post a picture but I’m sure someone will have one.
Seen it on my FB. Cost a few grand if lego sold it. Class tho 👏

itslegaltender
16-04-2025, 03:21 PM
UEFA were so set on a solo bid that they awarded the tournament to Austria and Switzerland?

they chose that versus our proposition with Ireland. Scot Gov at time blamed Irish lack of committment. There was also suspicions of McDonnells motives. https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/scotland-travel/recriminations-begin-in-wake-of-euro-2008-failure-ztgxkhrbg8x

CentreLine
16-04-2025, 05:16 PM
Seen it on my FB. Cost a few grand if lego sold it. Class tho 👏

It really is good. Poster Hibee found a great link on that Twitter call me x thing too:

https://x.com/hibernianfc/status/1911011418725630005?s=61

Seems “Away Day Joe” also to be found on Facebook in a Timelapse build.
https://youtu.be/ALJFG_uBaEs

zitelli62
18-04-2025, 10:11 PM
The Charlton stadium is one we should look at two enclosed corners and one separate away end .

overdrive
18-04-2025, 10:14 PM
The Charlton stadium is one we should look at two enclosed corners and one separate away end .

We can’t do that without demolishing the old ticket office (listed building) and some of the tenements at the back of the FF. Due to the road configurations behind the FF and South, the only two corner we can easily do anything with is the FF/East and West/South.

NAE NOOKIE
18-04-2025, 10:45 PM
We can’t do that without demolishing the old ticket office (listed building) and some of the tenements at the back of the FF. Due to the road configurations behind the FF and South, the only two corner we can easily do anything with is the FF/East and West/South.

I don't think we really need to bother too much about the northwest corner to be honest .... It is what it is and the hassle to do anything there probably wouldn't be worth it. The northeast and southwest corners are definitely ripe for development and to a lesser extent the southeast corner.

Whatever the case Easter Road in the end is a very decent stadium as it is ......... but it does have the potential to be so much more and part of the advancement of this club into the future has to be to upgrade it to make it a more atmospheric and intimidating stadium for other clubs to visit .... the most obvious way to do that is to make it more enclosed. Whatever the time line it simply has to be something Hibs never take off the table and eventually get round to doing.

You can use the standing area behind the goals as evidence for the worth of doing that. Folk like me pushed for that for years and I don't think anybody can deny that it has been, if not a roaring success, then at least a move that has brought a decent atmosphere to games that in the past would have seen the place like a library. Hibs spent a fair bit on that and in my opinion and that of a lot of other folk it was money well spent, even if it didn't add to the stadium's capacity.

CentreLine
19-04-2025, 09:19 AM
We can’t do that without demolishing the old ticket office (listed building) and some of the tenements at the back of the FF. Due to the road configurations behind the FF and South, the only two corner we can easily do anything with is the FF/East and West/South.

It’s not all that bad. The angle on each of these corners was designed to allow for those obstructions but still let the corners be filled in. After all, there is room for a, rather crap, temporary tv studio and a water tank in the northwest corner for example.

Renfrew_Hibby
19-04-2025, 09:39 AM
Without being able to post some pictures, Watford seem to have done a decent job of filling in their corner areas to create a more enclosed and atmospheric venue.

From what I can tell one corner houses police control and stadium announcer units. Another houses a state of the art TV studio with a small seated area in front of it.

There is a corner that is simply the stadium access corner and is an enclosed area for the away team to disembark their coach and enter the stadium away from opposition fans, the same as we have in the SW corner but the whole gap between the stands has been cleverly boxed in.

The last corner is a huge space very much like our NE area. Hear we see a large structure housing high end hospitality boxes over looking the pitch but also fan bars, club superstore and probably other things.

Only one corner has any seating yet the stadium is now very enclosed and the overall look has greatly improved. All four corners have a purpose to them and with a little imagination there is no reason why we couldn't replicate this.

Keith_M
19-04-2025, 09:41 AM
Is it finished yet?