Reimagining the First International Football Stadium: From Arena to Urban Residences

Jonathan GeddesGlasgow and west reporter

Glasgow Football Tour

The original Hampden was the home of Queen’s Park from 1873-1883 and hosted Scottish Cup finals and Scotland internationals

The site of the world’s first international football stadium could become flats or a car park unless action is taken, campaigners have warned.

The first Hampden Park in Glasgow’s southside – described as the “blueprint” for football stadiums since then – is currently the home of a bowling club facing financial difficulties.

Should it close, the grounds would become free for commercial use and possible redevelopment.

Football enthusiasts told BBC Scotland the site should be “protected and celebrated”. It was the home of Queen’s Park from 1873-1883 and hosted Scottish Cup finals and Scotland internationals.

An extraordinary general meeting for Hampden Bowling Club on Sunday saw the decision made to dissolve the club in in February 2026, with the club’s current committee standing down at that point.

If no-one takes over running the club by that time then it will be wound down and the land returned to Land Property Glasgow – the arms-length body of Glasgow City Council that handles land for the local authority.

David Coutts, a trustee at the bowling club, told BBC Scotland: “There’s no grand building there and you have to use imagination – but there’s a social history there, and a working class history there.

“It’s from this site and this green that the biggest sport in the world developed.”

Campbell Ramage

Hampden Bowling Club have used the ground since 1905

An archaeological excavation took place at the site in 2021, and found remains of the original football stadium – where Scotland famously thrashed England 5-1 in 1882.

When Queen’s Park built the stadium, Scottish teams usually played on converted cricket pitches, such as the West of Scotland ground in Partick where Scotland and England played the world’s first international in 1872.

Lindsay Hamilton runs a walking tour company and takes customers around the three different Hampden Park sites built over the decades.

She believes the original set the template for football venues since then.

She said: “This ground is the blueprint for every football stadium that was built. Queen’s Park built grandstands, toilets, turnstiles for it and it was the first purpose built international football stadium in the world.

“It was the first place where season tickets were first used, or members books as they called it then.

“How we experience football today was all built at first on that site – it’s of huge significance to football.”

Glasgow Football Tour

Lindsay Hamilton says the feel of the original Hampden remains tangible and needs protected

Despite that significance, the future is murky for the site.

Queen’s Park left the ground to move to another purpose-built stadium near Crosshill in 1884, using the Hampden name for their new home.

Hampden Bowling Club have used the area since 1905, but a declining membership roll has left them with only around 50 people – a situation Mr Coutts says could “leave it on its last legs.”

The club has a rolling monthly lease for the site, but has never been able to secure a longer agreement with City Property.

“We can’t get any funding because we need a much longer lease than what we have, and the lease offered seems to be a standard commercial lease – we’re not a commercial organisation.

“We’ve seen other bowling clubs become commercial sites after closing and that usually means blocks of flats or car parks.”

David Coutts

David Coutts is hopeful the club could be taken over by the community

Club members are hoping the local community might express interest in taking over the site, perhaps using it as a community hub for events and film screenings.

That is why they decided to hold an EGM rather than wait for the club’s usual AGM next year, with the hope it will attract more local people to attend and get involved.

For Ms Hamilton, what’s important is ensuring the site remains somewhere you can experience.

She says that whether someone is walking by or having a drink at the club, they are still being connected to the early days of football, a far cry from the global industry that followed.

“A lot of early football landmarks in other cities have become supermarket car parks or things like that, but here you can still step on it – it’s tangible.

“If you lose that, you lose the magic and the spark, because having the green there brings it to life. Being able to ask if you want a pint on the grounds of the original Hampden Park is something special.

“It doesn’t look like a pitch now, but the foundations of the original stadium are there – what else can we discover? If this was in London or Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires it would have its own museum there.

“It needs to be protected, and celebrated.”

How does the historical and cultural significance of stadiums like Hampden Park influence the decision-making process regarding adaptive reuse versus demolition?

The Evolution of Stadium Design & Adaptive Reuse

the concept of the modern football stadium, a dedicated arena for mass spectator sport, is surprisingly recent. While rudimentary sporting grounds existed for centuries, the first truly international football stadium – generally considered to be Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, completed in 1903 – represented a shift in architectural and social thinking. Now, over a century later, many of these pioneering structures face obsolescence.But demolition isn’t the only answer.A growing trend focuses on adaptive reuse, transforming these iconic landmarks into thriving urban residences, mixed-use developments, and community hubs. This article explores the challenges, opportunities, and innovative strategies driving this exciting architectural movement.

Hampden Park: A Historical Benchmark & Catalyst for Change

Hampden Park, with its capacity of over 51,000, wasn’t just a sporting venue; it was a social and cultural touchstone. Its design influenced stadium construction globally. However, maintaining these aging structures presents notable hurdles:

* Structural Integrity: Concrete degradation, steel corrosion, and outdated safety standards require extensive and costly repairs.

* Accessibility: Original designs often lacked accessibility features for people with disabilities,necessitating major modifications.

* Financial Sustainability: Declining attendance, changing entertainment preferences, and the high cost of upkeep threaten the financial viability of older stadiums.

* Changing Urban Context: Stadiums built on the periphery of cities are now frequently enough surrounded by dense urban growth, creating logistical and aesthetic challenges.

These factors are prompting architects and developers to explore innovative solutions, with stadium conversion becoming a viable choice to demolition.

Key Strategies for Stadium-to-Residential Conversion

Successfully transforming a football stadium into a residential space requires a nuanced approach. It’s not simply about filling seats with apartments. Here are some core strategies:

1. Preserving the Iconic Facade: Maintaining the stadium’s exterior is crucial for preserving its historical significance and creating a recognizable landmark. This frequently enough involves reinforcing the existing structure and integrating it into the new design.
2. Utilizing the Bowl Structure: The stadium’s bowl shape can be cleverly repurposed. Tiered seating areas can become balconies or terraces for apartments, offering unique views and outdoor space. The central pitch can be transformed into a landscaped courtyard or public park.
3. Integrating Mixed-Use Development: Successful conversions often incorporate a mix of residential,commercial,and recreational spaces. This creates a vibrant, self-sufficient community and enhances the project’s financial viability. Think retail spaces, restaurants, offices, and community centers.
4. Addressing Acoustic Challenges: Stadiums are designed to amplify sound. Converting them into residential spaces requires careful acoustic treatment to minimize noise pollution and ensure a cozy living environment.
5. Enduring Design Principles: Incorporating green building practices – such as rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and energy-efficient materials – is essential for creating a sustainable and environmentally responsible development.

Case Studies: Inspiring Examples of Stadium Conversions

Several successful stadium conversions demonstrate the potential of this approach:

* Stadio Artemio Franchi (Florence, Italy): While not a full residential conversion, significant renovations have transformed the stadium into a modern, multi-purpose venue, incorporating commercial spaces and improved accessibility.

* De Kuip (Rotterdam, Netherlands): Plans are underway to partially convert this iconic stadium into apartments, retail spaces, and a hotel, while preserving its historical character. This project exemplifies a sensitive approach to heritage preservation.

* Olympic Stadium (Montreal, Canada): Though a complex and lengthy process, the Olympic Stadium has undergone numerous renovations and now hosts a variety of events, including concerts and exhibitions, alongside limited commercial and recreational uses. It serves as a cautionary tale highlighting the challenges of large-scale stadium repurposing.

Benefits of Stadium-to-Residential Conversions

Beyond preserving architectural heritage, these conversions offer a range of benefits:

* Increased Housing Supply: Addresses the growing demand for housing, particularly in urban areas.

* Economic Revitalization: Creates jobs and stimulates economic activity in surrounding communities.

* reduced Environmental Impact: Minimizes waste associated with demolition and new construction.

* Enhanced Community Engagement: Provides opportunities for community gathering and social interaction.

* Unique Living Spaces: Offers residents distinctive homes with unparalleled views and architectural features. Luxury apartments are often a key component of these developments.

Practical Tips for Developers & Architects

Successfully navigating a stadium conversion project requires careful planning and execution:

* Thorough Site Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the stadium’s structural condition, environmental hazards, and historical significance.

* Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with local communities, historical preservation groups, and government agencies to ensure broad support for the project.

* Innovative Design Solutions: Embrace creative design solutions that maximize the stadium’s unique features and address its inherent challenges.

* Cost-benefit Analysis: Conduct a detailed cost-benefit analysis to ensure the project’s financial viability.

* Phased Approach: Consider a phased approach to minimize disruption and allow for adjustments based on feedback and unforeseen challenges. Urban planning is critical.

The Future of stadium Architecture & Adaptive Reuse

The trend of reimagining football stadiums as urban residences is likely to accelerate in the coming years. As more stadiums reach the end of their functional lifespan, adaptive reuse will