Olympia, London’s famed events venue – and original home of World Travel Market starting in 1980 – is putting on a new face. The nearly 140-year-old exhibition hall in West Kensington neighbourhood is being redeveloped into the in British capital’s newest cultural and entertainment destination and what is being called a “global landmark.”
When complete in 2026, Olympia will boast a diverse and expansive range of offerings, including two world-class hotels; 30-plus restaurants; a live music theatre, and more. The district is projected to attract over 10 million visitors annually.
A blend of heritage and Innovation, the ambitious regeneration project recently marked an architectural milestone in the £1.3bn redevelopment with the introduction of a transformative glass canopy, consisting of five large curved structural steel arches, each with a span of 22 metres.
A remarkable feat of engineering, the transparent roof, constructed of 520 rectangular low-iron glass panels, covers nearly 1,000 sq. m. with a pleated glazing motif inspired by the façade of the Grade II-listed Grand Hall. Paying homage to the barrel vaults, the structure establishes a visual link to Olympia’s storied past while embracing cutting-edge and pioneering design, showcasing sustainable practices that optimizes glass panel usage to minimise waste and improve overall material efficiency.
Canopy at OlympiaCelebrating the original architectural innovation of the halls, designed by Sir Henry Edward Coe, the new design aims to enhance the public experience of the revitalized masterplan, creating new publicly accessible open space, packed out with restaurants and bars and a lush roof garden with views over the capital.
Situated above ground level, the canopy structure echoes the continuous arched shape of the Grand Hall and Grade II listed National Hall sitting adjacent to it, and is clearly visible from the bustle of Hammersmith Road below, tempting pedestrians to ascend the escalators and investigate. This connection to the street is crucial to opening up the new Olympia and enhancing public access in a distinctive way.
The mezzanine level will offer public seating amid landscaping, providing visitors and the local community a new perspective through the clear span of the historic exhibition roofs, which have sat above Olympia for so many decades. Forming part of the development, several concepts of premium dining and drinking experiences will bring an additional lifestyle offering, further invigorating Olympia as an animated new hub for the neighbourhood.
“Olympia was once a people’s palace – a place to come together and experience unusual things,” says Thomas Heatherwick, Founder of Heatherwick Studio architects. “Having lost its way over the years, we’re now working to bring back its original spirit and make Olympia open and available to everyone. At the heart of this mission is the new central canopy. Influenced by the vaulted glass roofs of the original exhibition halls, the new canopy will be the beginning of a world-class public space that’s available to everyone, whether you’re attending a show at the new theatre, work in one of the nearby offices, or are simply passing by.”