Following the launch of the new $2.3 billion Sphere venue in Las Vegas, a proposed Sphere in Stratford, east London is facing pushback from local residents.
Newham residents are concerned about the noise and light pollution, overcrowding, and “transport chaos” that could be caused by the 300-foot-high Sphere in London.
The Stop MSG Sphere London campaign says on its website: “We are a group of residents of Newham, who are terrified by the prospect of the proposed MSG Sphere that will severely blight the area, cause noise and light pollution, unmanageable overcrowding and transport chaos in Stratford and Maryland.”
Lindesay Mace, a spokesperson for Stop MSG Sphere London, told the Financial Times: “The fact that where we are now, on the permission being granted, is a travesty of justice.
“The Sphere is designed for Vegas, the city of lights. It is not designed for a small site that is surrounded with three blocks of residential properties.
“Developers are insulting residents by offering black-out blinds… some of our group live directly opposite it. One of our members, she lives 75 metres away, her windows all face opposite the site.
“We are going to have massive glowing advertisements blaring [into our homes] from one of the biggest structures the UK and Europe has ever seen, it is just ridiculous.”
As above, plans for MSG Sphere London were approved last year. Before construction can start, the project still needs approval from Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, and Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove.
Sphere opens in Vegas with U2 show
“Stratford is not Las Vegas,” Nate Higgins, a Green Party councillor representing the local area, told CBS News. “I’ve lived there for my entire adult life, it is not the same thing.”
Described as a state-of-the-art music and entertainment venue, the planned Sphere would use cutting-edge technology to provide immersive experiences. According to developers, the venue would boost London’s economy by £2.5bn.
Sphere opened in Vegas last week with a spectacular U2 concert. The Irish rock band used every element of Sphere’s LED screen, which is the world’s largest and highest-resolution.
Designed by stadium specialist Populous, Sphere is also the world’s largest spherical structure. Its exterior features 580,000 square feet of LED lighting.
Images courtesy of Sphere Entertainment
