Olympia London

Olympia London stands in West Kensington, a former market garden turned into the largest exhibition hall in England when it opened in 1885. Its Grand Hall and Pillar Hall, designed by Henry Edward Coe and James Edmeston, still dominate the skyline with ironwork by Handyside of Derby. The site grew with the National Hall annexe in 1923 and the Empire Hall in 1929, both by different architects. The concrete façade of Olympia Central, added in 1929, became the most familiar view along Hammersmith Road. The buildings were listed for their historic and architectural value, though later changes kept parts unlisted. The venue has hosted events from the first World Scout Jamboree in 1920 to Jimi Hendrix’s 1967 concert and Miss World 1999. Trade shows like the BBC Good Food Show and the International Motor Exhibition ran here annually for decades. Sports events included boxing bouts such as Naseem Hamed’s 2000 featherweight title fight and tennis’s ATP finals. Fashion shows, dance competitions, and even the Doctor Who Experience drew crowds over the years. Today the redeveloped site mixes old and new. The listed halls remain, while a 1,575-seat theatre, two hotels, restaurants, and a secondary school occupy the rest. A public route called Emberton Walk crosses the site, giving access to everything without a ticket. Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC led the design, turning a single giant hall into a lively district with offices, shops, and green spaces.