Tokyo Olympic Stadium saga ends for Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid Architects will not compete to provide an alternative main stadium design for the 2020 Olympics, according to Construction Drive. The firm was unable to find a construction company to work with on the project.

Zaha Hadid designed the original Olympic Stadium concept in 2012. The 3.1 million-sf stadium drew attention for its futuristic design. It was set to hold track-and-field events and the opening and closing ceremonies.

After rising costs (from $1.3 billion to around $2 billion), construction delays, design issues, and other complaints from figures in the architectural world, Japan announced in July 2015 that the nation would drop Zaha Hadid and consider new proposals for a stadium.

Even after that, the firm introduced a new bid that it called “the most cost-effective delivery plan,” according to the AP. Zaha Hadid partnered with engineering company Nikken Sekkei for a new design, but couldn’t find a new contractor.