Upton Park was the historic home of West Ham United for 102 years before the club moved out in 2016. The stadium has since been replaced by a block of flats, with 842 residential units now standing where the Boleyn Ground once was. The Hammers bid an emotional farewell to their beloved home after a 3-2 victory over Manchester United in May 2016, and have since played their home games a few miles away in Stratford.
The legacy of Upton Park has been reflected in the new residential complex, named Upton Gardens, with a “bubbles” theme paying homage to the club’s trademark “Forever Blowing Bubbles” song. The complex offers a variety of properties, with prices starting at £350,000 for a one-bedroom flat and around £500,000 for a two-bedroom maisonette. The departure of West Ham from their historic home has had a profound effect on the local community, with iconic local businesses like Nathan’s Pie and Eels permanently closing their doors in the years following the club’s move.
Despite the closure of businesses and the departure of West Ham, a statue of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, and Ray Wilson holding the World Cup trophy remains as a reminder of the club’s history in E13. Some devoted fans still visit The Boleyn Tavern on matchdays, expressing a sense of loss and disconnect with their modern stadium in Stratford. The move to the London Stadium has resulted in mixed feelings among fans, with some experiencing a lack of atmosphere compared to Upton Park and feeling that West Ham no longer has a true home ground.
Since leaving Upton Park, West Ham has experienced success on the field, most notably winning the Europa Conference League in 2023. However, the club’s fans continue to have a deep attachment to their former home, with many feeling that a part of the club’s soul will always remain in E13. The move to Stratford has brought changes to the community and the matchday experience for fans, leaving a sense of nostalgia and longing for the historic grounds where over a century of memories were created. Despite the new chapter in West Ham’s history at the London Stadium, the legacy of Upton Park lives on in the hearts of the club and its supporters.
