Las Vegas-style Sphere to be Built in London?

A Las Vegas-style glowing sphere could be built in East London, with Sadiq Khan set to review plans.

The venue would include a place to host entertainment events, an assembly and leisure venue, a music venue, nightclubs, restaurant and members’ lounge.

A $2 billion venue opened in Las Vegas in September 2023 with U2 beginning a 36-show residency there. The visual experience has been going viral on social media.

The Madison Square Garden company began consulting on the 21,500-seat domed arena in London in 2018.

The London version would also light up its exterior with an illuminated external display measuring 96.5 metres.

Proposers have said the screen is a “fully programmable exterior that serves as a digital showcase for the venue, artists and partners”.

In addition, the project would require the construction of new pedestrian and vehicular bridges, highway and access works utility changes.

If approved by City Hall, the MSG Sphere would be constructed in Stratford.

Sadiq Khan will review the plans and is expected to publish his decision on November 20, 2023.

Plans were approved in 2022, however, they have divided residents and campaign groups.

Since March 2022, the campaign group Stop MSG Sphere London has been urging officials not to approve the development.

Group member Ceren Sonmez lives 75 metres away from the potential site.

She said: “I just have this nightmare-like vision of opening the curtains and then having this eyeball right in my face.

“It just feels like dystopia.

“It isn’t like anything that has existed until recently and only exists in Las Vegas, so it’s sort of like something that has been unimaginable until very recently.”

Meanwhile, Levelling Up and Housing Secretary Michael Gove hinted at further scrutinising the scheme.

In February 2023, he issued an Article 31 holding directive that was issued by the cabinet secretary. This has prevented the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and City Hall from signing off on the plans before the Government has time to inspect them.

Mr Khan has been urged by City Hall politicians to refuse planning permission, amid concerns over its impact on wildlife.

There are also warnings that the MSG Sphere would produce unacceptable light levels.

According to MSG’s website:

“But our plans for MSG Sphere go beyond building the world’s most advanced live entertainment venue.”

“We want to transform an undeveloped and inaccessible site into a thriving destination that will benefit the whole community – and bring the eastern and western sides of Stratford together through new infrastructure, road and highway improvements.

“And we want to contribute to Stratford’s global reputation as a leading destination for arts, music and entertainment.”