Emilia Randall visited the opening of the £1.3 billion transformation of Olympia's West Exhibition Hall, a 140-year-old London landmark. She predicts the new spot will become a corporate favourite for nearby office workers, thanks to its Market Halls-style mini food hall.
New Bars and Restaurants Launch
On Monday, June 15, a range of bars and restaurants opened just in time for summer. This precedes the launch of the 3,800-capacity British Airways ARC venue, where Self Esteem will perform the first two concerts on June 16 and 17. However, this is only part of the new offering in West London.
The Canopy, a rooftop collection of bars and restaurants, features several 'only-at-Olympia' brands. Bar Arriba is a Mexican-inspired hangout serving small bites and cocktails. Wolves of Tokyo is a Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar inspired by Tokyo's nightlife. Lillie's pairs seasonal small plates with English sparkling wines and champagne.
Food Hall and Coffee
The Canopy's Arbour is a multi-concept food hall with four eateries offering gourmet fried chicken, fresh farm produce, smashed burgers, and artisan coffee. Note that an iced oat Americano at Café Modo costs £4.00.
During her Monday lunchtime visit, Randall noted a buzz in the air and immaculate upkeep, with generous planters and green walls filled with honeysuckle.
Pedestrianised Street and Digital Screen
The Canopy and the Square sit alongside a 250-metre-long pedestrianised street. Its roof features an 83-metre-long, 8-metre-wide digital screen called the Canvas, which displayed scenes from leafy branches to abstract green balls. The screen will launch later this summer as an immersive platform for digital art.
History of Olympia
This modern development sits atop a historic British landmark. The West Exhibition Hall was built as the National Agricultural Hall in 1885 and later renamed Olympia, designed by architect Henry Edward Coe. The original building had three main halls. It hosted the first Ideal Home Show in 1908, the first Electronic Computer Exhibition in 1958, runway shows by Vivienne Westwood, and concerts by Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.
Additional Venues
New venues join the already opened Pillar Hall, a Grade II* listed building from 1886 near Kensington station. It houses Idalia, an all-day restaurant; Pepperbird, a speakeasy-style bar inspired by Olympia's musical heritage; and Upstairs at Pillar Hall, a 500+ capacity live music venue opening in autumn.
Upcoming Concerts and Theatre
Following Self Esteem's opening slot, McFly will perform on June 18, Zac Brown Band on June 25, Van Morrison with a five-night residency from September 23-29, and Khalid on October 24. Additionally, London's largest permanent new theatre in 50 years will open at Olympia in 2027. The 1,575-capacity British Airways Theatre, operated by Trafalgar Entertainment and Broadway's Shubert Organization, promises world-class cultural shows.
