Las Vegas locals warn Londoners about new MSG Sphere concert venue as ‘sunshine on Earth’ with 36m spans

Londoners have been warned about building a massive new concert venue in the shape of a glowing orb, as residents have compared its sister building in Las Vegas to “sunshine on Earth.”

plans for the Sphere of Madison Square Garden (MSG) in Stratford, East Londonmoved forward last week after a London planning committee approved its advertising display, which will run from dawn until late at night, at the Big Ben-sized venue with 36 million LED lights.

The screen at the Las Vegas version of the venue, which is set to open later this year, was tested last week.

And after viewing the lights on top of the nearly 365-foot-tall sphere from almost two miles away, resident Billy Cline, 36, said: “It’s almost like building a sun on Earth.”

Plans for the Madison Square Garden (MSG) Sphere in Stratford, East London, moved forward last week after the advertising display was approved.

Rendering of the MSG Sphere, a concert venue planned for Stratford, East London

Las Vegas residents may have to buy blackout blinds and shades to combat the huge increase in light pollution, Cline told the guardian.

While the shiny building may seem at home in Las Vegas, known for its glittering casinos and venues, Cline said she didn’t think something similar would get the go-ahead in other US cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles or areas residential.

Las Vegas Review Journal, Mick Akers said while in his city, residents “are used to [bright lights]’, construction in a residential area (such as Stratford) could cause problems at night.

In March last year, the 300ft tall ‘Sphere’ was given the go-ahead by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) to be built on vacant land between Stratford station and Olympic Park.

The music venue, said to cost £800m, will have a 21,500-capacity stadium as well as bars and restaurants, and the project has been hailed as a “pioneer of the next generation of immersive experiences”. .

The lights atop the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas (pictured) were tested earlier this week

“It’s almost like building a sun on Earth,” said Las Vegas resident Billy Cline.

But despite the planning approval, the proposed structure was dubbed a “monstrous glowing orb” as hundreds of residents complained that it would “ruin” the area with light and noise pollution.

The sphere, which has been backed by the University of East London and former Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, is said to boost London’s economy by £2.5bn.

MSG’s Paul Westbury said in March that the ‘state-of-the-art venue’ would help make Stratford ‘a global destination for music and technology’ and that the plans had been ‘informed by’ feedback from residents.

West Ham MP Lyn Brown, who opposes the build, called the sphere “monstrous”. and has raised fears about additional pressure on local transport. Particularly at Stratford station, which already caters for commuters to Westfield shopping center and West Ham’s 60,000 seat stadium.

He urged Mayor Sadiq Khan or Communities and Leveling Secretary Michael Gove to intervene to prevent or limit construction of the sphere.

The Labor MP has also previously scolded the LLDC over the fact that the site was previously public land that could have been used for housing before it was sold to property company Westfield and ultimately MSG.

West Ham MP Lyn Brown, who opposes the build, called the sphere “monstrous” raising fears about added pressure on local transport.

The music venue will feature a 21,500-capacity stadium, as well as bars and restaurants, and the project has been hailed as a “pioneer of the next generation of immersive experiences.”

More than 1,000 local residents formally opposed the planning application, while a petition calling for the project to be scrapped received more than 2,000 signatures.

Charity manager Sanch Kanagarajah, 39, who lives in an apartment block opposite the event site, told The Guardian he was worried the lights and moving images would disrupt his sleep.

Green Party councilor for Stratford Olympic Park Nate Higgins told the planning committee on Tuesday that locals “don’t want the Sphere at all” and would be forced to buy blackout blinds so a private developer could build one.” massive advertising screen disguised as an entertainment venue’.

An LLDC spokesperson said the proposed plans involved “significant consultation” and had been “subject to robust review and detailed reporting by officers.”

An MSG spokesperson told The Guardian that they are “committed to being a good neighbor in Stratford and fully understand the concerns of some residents” and that they were “aware of the differences between Las Vegas and Newham”.

They added that the London Sphere will operate with limited brightness and at different times of the day compared to the Vegas Sphere.

A spokesman for the mayor of London said: “As this is a live application that will be forwarded to the mayor, we cannot comment in advance of any decision he may make.”