The Fight Behind the Second Sphere

In 2023, a proposal for an MSG Sphere in East London raised questions about how a massive, illuminated entertainment venue could affect the surrounding area. Although the project was eventually abandoned, the debate is still useful for understanding the potential effects of large-scale artificial lighting. With more than one million LEDs planned for its exterior, the proposed Sphere raised concerns about light pollution and its effects on nearby residents, while also being promoted for its potential entertainment and economic benefits.

"...the company behind the project tested out the lighting display. “It’s almost like building a sun on Earth,” said Las Vegas local Billy Cline, 36, after he saw the lights at the tip of the 111-metre-high spherical building being tested two miles away from his balcony"(Bryant 2023).

"Plans for the more residential setting of Stratford – which include a 21,500-capacity concert hall the width of the London Eye and the height of Big Ben, a nightclub, shops and restaurants – are seeing significant opposition, with the proposed venue labelled as a “monstrosity”."(Bryant 2023)

"...opponents claim it will result in sleep-disrupting light pollution, noise and transport issues, and impact driver concentration"(Bryant 2023).

“The London Sphere will be different from the Vegas Sphere in its operation, including measures such as limiting its brightness, the time of day it can operate, the amount of advertising it can display, and more." (Bryant 2023).

Bryant’s article examines the debate surrounding the proposed London Sphere in 2023 and the potential effects of its large exterior lighting system. The comparison to the Las Vegas Sphere shows how far the lighting could be visible and why nearby residents raised concerns about its intensity. The article also addresses concerns beyond light pollution, including possible effects on sleep, noise, transportation, and driver concentration.

At the same time, the article presents the company’s response to these concerns. The proposed London Sphere would have different operating limits than the Las Vegas venue, including restrictions on brightness, operating hours, and advertising. These concerns show how artificial light can become an issue when large, bright displays are placed near residential areas, particularly when the lighting is visible beyond the property where it is installed. Overall, the proposed Sphere provides an example of how the benefits of large-scale entertainment lighting can be debated alongside its potential effects on surrounding communities.

Reference

Bryant, M. (2023, January 28). ‘Like a sun on Earth’: Las Vegas warning if dazzling venue built in London’s East End. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/28/msg-sphere-las-vegas-london-venue-concert-hall-sleep-light-pollution