The RDS is getting a fancy new design and will be a state-of-the-art home for Leinster, judging by the pictures released of what the new stadium will look like.
An international competition was held to find the designers of the new ground, and a consortium consisting of Grimshaw Architects of London and Dublin-based Newenham Mulligan were chosen to be the ones who will carry out the redesign of the historic location.
While the main use of the ground will be for Leinster's rugby games, the stadium will also host some equestrian events, and the capacity will be increased to 25,000. The cost of the project is the next hurdle for the RDS, and it is believed that they may well put naming rights up for offer on the new ground in order to finance it.
Speaking at the announcement of the winners of the design contest, chief executive of the RDS Michael Duffy, said that the "winning concept represents an exciting design response to a complex brief. Entries had to accommodate professional rugby, world class equestrianism and music concerts, in an already very busy events venue" and that this design really understood the multi-faceted element to the project.
Work on the project is not expected to start until 2016, and it is envisioned that Leinster will be able to continue to play their home games as normal during the redevelopment and construction.
Via Designboom. Pics via Designboom/Leinster Rugby