I designed Everton’s new stadium – now I have an 1878 tattoo

Architect recounts hurdles in creating modern Everton home

Dan Meis, an architect based in Los Angeles, recalls that working on Everton’s new stadium was unlike any project he’s undertaken before. The development faced numerous challenges, including two relegation campaigns, a shift in club ownership, a global pandemic, and even the discovery of unexploded World War Two ordnance on the site. These obstacles culminated in the opening of the Hill Dickinson Stadium last August.

“Just about everything that could happen did,” Meis said. “I don’t think I will ever have another experience quite like that because of who the club are, what the city of Liverpool is and the site where we built.”

From Goodison to a new era

The American designer had to relocate Everton’s loyal supporters from their 133-year-old home at Goodison Park. Despite initial doubts about the club’s decision to hire a U.S.-based firm, Meis immersed himself in Everton’s heritage and engaged directly with the fanbase. “I learned pretty early through fan interactions how deeply they cared about this,” he added. “It wasn’t always easy, but their passion was clear.”

“I can’t tell you the number of tweets I got from fans saying, ‘it’s OK as long as we have one more seat than Anfield,’” Meis recalled. “That feedback really made me consider how to balance seating numbers with the club’s identity and the energy of the game.”

Designing for legacy and future

After evaluating various locations, the proposal for a stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock gained traction. Meis described how the concept evolved from early sketches inspired by the Mersey River. “I did a rough drawing that imagined the dock as a natural extension of the river’s flow,” he explained. “It was a brick base with a curvy wave on top, and the final design looked remarkably like that.”

Construction began in August 2021 and wrapped up by 2025, though the timeline wasn’t without complications. “We were on the bubble for relegation several times during the build,” Meis noted. “There was also a change in ownership and a geopolitical conflict that impacted the club’s operations.”

Global concerns and local impact

Nick Tyrer, lead designer for BDP Pattern, shared insights into the project’s broader significance. “The design and build contract was signed before Everton’s relegation worries peaked,” he said. “Social media buzzed with hopes that the new stadium would secure their Premier League status, even if it meant playing in the Championship temporarily.”

“It’s a professional concern to spend years on a stadium that might open in a lower league,” Tyrer remarked. “That’s why the blend of history and modernity in the design was so crucial.”

Unexpected finds and bold solutions

Building on former industrial land presented technical hurdles. “Once the team started working on the dock floor, they uncovered WWII ordnance,” Meis said. “At one point, a dolphin was found, forcing a temporary halt to construction.”