Something old, something new
West Kensington was famous for two enormous exhibition centres. Earls Court, which was finally demolished in 2017 after a bid to save it by then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and others failed. The second is Olympia and this has a far more promising future.
This mighty edifice, named after the Greek Princess of the Molossians, opened in 1886 with its own underground and overground railway stations. Later additions to the original building, including the ‘National Hall’ and the ‘Empire Hall’, were added.
The original intention, however, was to provide a central and easily accessible national agricultural hall. Times were very different then and the idea of accessing a central London location with agricultural displays, machinery, livestock and produce would be a total headache in 2025!
The buildings have housed many and varied events, from the International Motor Exhibition in 1905 and the first ever World Scout Jamboree in 1920 to a performance by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967, numerous world boxing bouts over the years and RuPaul’s DragCon UK in 2020!
In 2017, Olympia was purchased by a consortium of investors, led by Deutsche Finance and Yoo Capital, with a bold aim of transforming it into a world-leading arts, events, entertainment and experimental district “to be enjoyed for the next 130 years and beyond.”
And so, after nearly 140 years, a new chapter is fully opening in the story of this iconic venue later this year – £1.3 billion (€1.55 billion) has been spent to redefine the future. The venue, as a remarkable convention centre with accommodation for a wide-ranging variety of events, will of course continue, but new theatres, restaurants, luxury hotels, bars and cafes will be open later in 2025.
Whilst the work has been undertaken, Olympia has remained open for business, hosting some 200 events with well over 1.6 million visitors each year. Numbers look set to increase dramatically in the coming months and years, with the stated aim of the owners to create “a destination for culture, creativity and entertainment.”
Groucho Club
Groucho Marx once said: “I would never join a club which would have me as a member.” This funny comment from the US comedian led to the naming of one of the most famous members-only clubs in London’s West End.
Recently, the club has had a mixed press with some difficulties on non-members gaining entry and tales of bad behaviour. This was quickly knocked on the head with revised electronic procedures and calm has been restored.
This coincides with a very tasteful refurbishment of one of the upstairs bars to bring it up to par with the rest of the place, which is simply a peaceful oasis in the hubble and bubble of Soho. Aimed principally at people involved in performing arts, entertainment and music industries, the club has many famous celebrity visitors and members past and present, including Freddie Mercury, Liza Minnelli, George Michael, Stephen Fry, Lily Allen and Keira Knightly.
Groucho has changed hands three times since it was established in 1985 and is famous not only for the people who go there but also the original art displayed on the walls. These include pieces by Francis Bacon, Tracy Emin and Gavin Turk.
Located in fashionable Dean Street, on the doorstep of Drury Lane and all the other main West End theatres, the club is a haven for actors between performances. It is also renowned for great Christmas and New Year parties amongst many other social events and gatherings including quiz nights, talks and other interactive opportunities.
Ewan Venters, boss of Artfarm, the club owners since 2022, said: “As a member for some time myself, I understand the special place the Groucho occupies in London’s cultural landscape. Under Artfarm’s ownership, the future of the club is assured. We will respect the history and traditions of the club.” Viva Groucho!
Back to the future
London really is an organic, living city where development and change are always in the air. A building that has featured previously in London Callingis now back in the news once again with dramatic change on the horizon.
Not that long ago, the BT Tower, as it is currently called (then, the Post Office Tower), was the tallest building in London. Effectively, it is a glorified communications mast, but the offices which were built around the central core included top secret spying facilities for the security services! It was also very famous for having a revolving restaurant close to the top (run by Billy Butlin of holiday camp fame) and suffering a bomb attack by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the 1970s.
Close to Baker Street in central London, the area of Fitzrovia has relatively few high-rise buildings and the tower remains a significant feature on the London skyline from miles away. Technology has, of course, changed dramatically though since the 1960s when the edifice was built and it is no longer needed by the BT Group.
Last year, they sold the listed tower to MCR Hotels and in a few years’ time, we will all have an opportunity to stay there! An eye-watering price of £275 million (€326 million) was paid and though the renovation costs have not been released, the work will finally be finished in 2030, giving some idea of the complex conversion process and the associated expense involved.
Much of the original infrastructure of telecoms machinery from a bygone age remains and it seems certain that some, at least, will be incorporated into the conversion work at a time when value is placed on even recent antiquity.
Tyler Morse, CEO and owner of MCR Hotels, said: “We are proud to preserve this beloved building and will work to develop proposals to tell its story as an iconic hotel, opening its doors for generations to enjoy.”
And the best news? There are hopes that the revolving restaurant at the top of the 177m tower will re-open to diners who like an ever-changing view of the UK capital – under new management, of course!
