The latest phase of the six-year, £1.4billion revamp of Olympia in west London opened for business this week – Canopy, a rooftop dining and drinking space between the two main halls, incorporating four different venues.
Canopy is named after its 22-metre-high vaulted glass roof made from 520 separate panels, and has direct access via stairs and escalators from the ground level. Its venues are Wolves of Tokyo, a 300-capacity Japanese izakaya; Lillie’s, a 250-capacity British wine bar and restaurant; Bar Arriba, a Mexican hangout; and Arbour, a two-storey bar and food hall.
They have been launched by the Incipio Group, which is also behind Pergola at Shepherd’s Bush, whose CEO, Ed Devenport, describes them as “our most ambitious and diverse project to date. We’ve crafted four distinct concepts that celebrate the best of global food culture while offering something truly special for London. Olympia gives us the perfect platform to deliver unforgettable experiences at scale.”
When the renewal is completed later this year, Olympia’s original 1886 exhibition hall will have been transformed into a modern all-purpose destination able to accommodate more than 10million visitors a year on its 14 acres, including two hotels, four event spaces, a convention centre, a live music arena with a 3,800 capacity and a 1,575-seat theatre.
Still to come from Incipio is Juno, which is billed as Britain’s largest Italian restaurant. Already launched earlier this year are three venues from the D3 Collective: Idalia, a 300-seat all-day modern British restaurant inspired by country house style; Upstairs at Pillar Hall, a double-height event space accommodating up to 500 people; and Pepperbird, a basement speakeasy.
UPDATE
An early visit to Canopy yesterday evening found it already thronged with concert goers to the adjacent music venue and theatre. But note to families – don’t bother! – you are banned from the nicest rooftop Bar Arriba space and need to eat in the fast-food-y downstairs if you have under 18s after 7pm.