Gross floor area
Gross floor area is closely related to capacity and also directly drives cost. Schemes with a high area per seat will generally be more expensive. Where extra area delivers value though hospitality, retail or club facilities, the additional capital cost can be tested in a business case. However, if the space does not generate revenue (such as concourses) or if it cannot be used (such as below tiers), the spatial arrangement needs to be carefully tested. For example, below a capacity threshold, construction of one large two tier stand in a mainly single tier stadium is likely to be more cost effective than the construction of a lower-capacity continuous two tier arrangement, with its extra concourses and vertical circulation.