The iconic Olympia London is set to undergo a massive £1.3 billion transformation, including 4,400 capacity live music venue, cinema, theatre, restaurants, shops, jazz cafe, hotels and workspaces.
West Kensington is home to three iconic Victorian institutions – The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), the oldest specialist drama school in Britain founded in 1861; the Queen’s club, the first multipurpose sports complex to be built anywhere in the world in 1886; and the iconic Olympia London.
Olympia London History
Constructed on top of a vineyard in 1885, Olympia London was built to appease the Victorian public’s growing demand for lavish live entertainment. Opening its doors on Boxing Day 1886, the venue became host to the Motor Exhibition in the early 20th century, Crufts Dog Show and some of the most iconic live music events including “Christmas on Earth Continued”, a 1967 concert featuring the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Animals and Pink Floyd all in one night (advance tickets were only £1!). It now hosts major events year-round, including the annual International Horse Show attended by the Royal family, the Ideal Home exhibition and numerous live music concerts, events and exhibitions.
A Cultural Landmark
Olympia London is now set to undergo a massive £1.3 billion redevelopment celebrating ‘all that is good and great about Britain.’ This is just shy of Westfield London £1.6 billion development, putting into perspective the scale of this transformation!
The brand-new Olympia London will include the biggest live music venue in West London at 4,400-capacity, in partnership with live entertainment company AEG Presents promoters of the exclusive Coachella festival in California. The development will also include a public Sky Garden 15m above street level, a four-screen arthouse cinema, a 1,500-seat theatre, restaurants, shops, jazz café, two hotels and a 55,000 sq. ft office and co-working space. Perfect for keeping us West Londoners entertained!
The venue remains an architectural jewel in the crown of Kensington, featuring four grand halls and an impressive glass barrel-vaulted roof. The only planned demolition is of the original Central hall, transforming into the 13-storey Central tower containing a free to use high-level public square and a new addition to West London’s skyline.
The venue is set to remain open throughout construction, ensuring disruption is kept to a minimum.
This revamp is huge news for West Kensington and the surrounding area. The new and improved venue is set to breathe new life to the locality, an area already hugely popular with London’s renters.
Rickman Properties London will continue to keep you in the know of this luxury real estate story’s latest developments.
