A Spotlight Lozenge

The most striking architectural feature of Munich’s new Allianz Stadium is that projecting coloured lights on its translucent oval exterior makes it look like a giant glowing cough sweet.

Designed by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron and built by Alpine Bau Deutschland GmbH, the 66,000-capacity building is a joint venture between the city’s Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich soccer teams.

Former London-based agent Gary Richmond, who’s had his own Munich-based management company for the last 15 years and is a confirmed Bayern fan, says – from a spectator view – it’s better than the Olympic Stadium because there’s no running track between the stands and the pitch.

Apart from the 66,000 covered seats, there are 106 VIP boxes that can accommodate a total of 1,274 guests, 28 food outlets, three seated restaurants, office and conference facilities and an extensive shopping mall.

Situated in the city’s Froettmaning district, it’s served by four multi-story car parks – reportedly the biggest in Europe – and another 1,200 spaces in the stadium itself, which make a combined parking area capable of taking 11,000 vehicles.

— John Gammon