 By 2003, a plan had been unveiled for a £125,000,000 entertainment arena, holding 12,000 seated audience members and 1,000 standing.London-based architects Foster and Partners were appointed as the design team for the Hydro by 2004 with Glasgow-based Elphinsone additionally appointed as the preferred developer for the site.The design of the arena was finally released to the press by 2005, and the SECC gained full planning consent for the arena by 2006.