Olympia, London’s most historic landmark, will be the next destination for the city’s visitors for food, drink and live entertainment as it undergoes a £1.3bn makeover. The 140-year-old site is set to welcome the public to a new chapter this summer with an array of rooftop dining, cultural attractions and public spaces.

The centrepiece of this change is the British Airways ARC, a 3,800-capacity space run by AEG Presents, which will have a fantastic lineup of live shows. CEO Michael Volkert said he was delighted to see the visitors come and experience the many offerings of Olympia: 

“Olympia has always been a place that brings people together.”

The new rooftop boasts a series of distinctive bars and restaurants such as Bar Arriba, Wolves of Tokyo, Lillie’s and Arbour, providing a variety of Mexican cocktail flavours to Japanese cuisine. These venues will help to establish Olympia as a hub for eating and drinking in West London.

To complement the food, Olympia’s open spaces are filled with immersive art installations and a programme of free live music and performances – with the involvement of emerging artists and DJs. The Square will serve as an inviting, creative art space that will connect art, play and design.

The redevelopment also involves new hotels, which will open later this year, like the Hyatt Regency London Olympia and citizenM London Olympia. The redevelopment of Olympia is anticipated to generate more than $720 million (£600 million) for the UK economy annually, result in 7,000 new jobs and welcome 10 million visitors a year.