Sir Robert McAlpine began construction of a 60,355-capacity stadium for English football club Arsenal in February 2004 (the fifth-largest football stadium in the UK). Designed by HOK Sport (which won architect of the year in 2006 for the stadium design), the venue at Ashburton Grove, London, is at the centre of a £430m project, opened on 22 July 2006 and was fully operational for the start of the 2006–2007 football season. The stadium was officially opened on 26 October 2006 by Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh.
It was announced on 5 October 2004 that the stadium would be known as the Emirates Stadium for at least the first 15 years after the club agreed a £100m sponsorship deal with Emirates Airline. This sum also includes payments for an eight-year shirt sponsorship by Emirates, starting in the 2006–2007 season.
"Ashburton Grove, London, is at the centre of a £430m development project."
In one of the largest developments taken on in the UK, Arsenal is also funding 2,300 homes and facilities for local communities on several sites around the stadium. In March 2003, the club's representatives signed the final building contracts and acquisition papers. Work is now almost complete on these regeneration projects and housing developments after delays due to objections from Islington Borough Council and residents. The majority of the houses have been sold including a number of apartments constructed on the old Highbury ground.