When architects complete large-scale projects, they usually receive awards or commendations. However, Dan Meis, a world-renowned designer from Los Angeles, decided to commemorate the success of his most challenging project in a much more radical and permanent way. The number ‘1878’ – the founding year of Everton Football Club – now adorns his skin. For the man who designed the legendary Staples Center (home arena of the Lakers), this gesture was an acknowledgment that his work on the new stadium in Liverpool had transcended a mere contract and become part of his own identity.
The path to the opening of the Hill Dickinson Stadium in August 2025 resembled a suspenseful film. Construction, which began in August 2021 on the derelict Bramley-Moore Docks, faced an incredible number of obstacles. The team of engineers and designers navigated a global pandemic, a change in club ownership (in November 2024, management passed to the Friedkin Group), and even the real threat of war. The situation was complicated by Everton’s severing ties with Russian sponsors in 2022 following the conflict in Ukraine, which created additional financial risks.
The Symbolism of the Date: Why ‘1878’?
In the world of tattoo culture, numbers and dates hold a special place. They are not just decorative elements but a way to ‘anchor’ an important event or belonging to a specific community. Choosing the club’s founding year is a classic example of an ‘old-school’ approach in football fanaticism. By getting ‘1878’ tattooed, Dan Meis effectively underwent an initiation rite, transforming from a hired specialist into a devoted fan of the ‘Toffees’.
Tattoo experts note that such concise inscriptions are often chosen by people who wish to emphasize their commitment to tradition and heritage. In the context of Liverpool, where football history permeates every brick, such a gesture from the architect was perceived by fans as the highest form of respect. These are not just numbers on an forearm – they are a symbol that Meis ‘heard’ the city.
Technical Challenges and the Echoes of World War II
Designing a stadium for 52,000 spectators is no easy task, especially when fans demand that the arena be ‘at least one seat larger than Anfield’ of their rivals from Liverpool. As a result, the capacity of Everton’s new home has increased by 12,000 compared to the historic Goodison Park, although it remains 9,000 less than that of their eternal rivals.
However, the main difficulties awaited the builders underground. During the work on the site of old industrial docks, the following were discovered:
- Unexploded shells from World War II, which required immediate evacuation and the work of sappers.
- Complex hydrogeological conditions, which almost led to the project being frozen.
- Political and economic upheavals, including two seasons of the club fighting for survival in the Premier League (in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, Everton was literally on the brink of relegation).
Nick Tyrer, lead designer at BDP Pattern, who worked alongside Meis, admits that social media at the time was full of irony. Fans of other clubs joked that Everton was building the best stadium for the Championship (England’s second-tier league). For the architects who dedicated seven years of their lives to the project, this was a serious professional challenge.
An Aesthetic ‘Grown from the Dock’
The visual concept of the stadium was born from a simple sketch by Meis, depicting the waves of the Mersey crashing against the stone walls of the dock. The designer managed to combine the historical brickwork of the foundation with a futuristic curved roof. Former club owner Bill Kenwright insisted that the building should look both historical and forward-looking. Judging by the enthusiastic reaction of the stands during the first home match against Brighton (which Everton won 2-0), the concept was a success.
Dan Meis recalls how, during the first match at the new arena, grown men approached him with tears in their eyes, simply to hug him. ‘One of the most touching moments was when a female steward opened the door for me and whispered to a colleague, “He really listened to us.” At that moment, I realized I hadn’t done it for my ego, but for the hopes of tens of thousands of people,’ the architect shares.
Analysis: A Tattoo as a Bridge Between Corporation and Street
In contemporary tattoo culture, there is an interesting trend: high-level professionals (architects, surgeons, lawyers) use tattoos as a way to mark the completion of vital life stages. For Dan Meis, ‘1878’ is not just a commemorative date, but a ‘seal of quality’ and a personal stamp on a project that nearly broke his team.
| Parameter | Project Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Bramley-Moore Dock, Liverpool |
| Capacity | Over 52,000 spectators |
| Construction Period | August 2021 – 2025 |
| Lead Architect | Dan Meis (MEIS Studio) |
| Tattoo | The number ‘1878’ on his arm |
Meis’s story proves that architecture is not just about concrete and glass, but also about emotions. And a tattoo is the best way to show that these emotions were sincere. When a designer of such caliber gets the club’s symbolism tattooed on himself, he ceases to be just a contractor. He becomes part of the legend he himself built.