London’s Biggest New Theatre Since 1976

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28 January 2025

A new 1,500 seat theatre is coming to West London, the largest permanent London theatre since the completion of the National Theatre in 1976.

 

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The theatre at technical design stage and features three main seating levels contained within a timber wall lining. The proposals also include a bar and foyer spaces spread across five floor levels around a central atrium.

Architect Haworth Tompkins is working with Charcoalblue to achieve appropriate acoustic separation between the performance areas and the neighbouring office and exhibition spaces.

The new theatre is part of the Future Olympia Exhibition Centre Masterplan, led by architects SPPARC and Heatherwick Studio for developer Yoo Capital. Led by contractor Laing O’Rourke, Olympia Central Hall will be demolished while the Grade II listed Grand Hall and the National Hall will be redeveloped, continuing to host events while works are taking place.

 

Picture: a CGI showing the exterior of the new theatre. Image Credit: Haworth Tompkins

 

There will be seven new buildings at the redeveloped site including new offices, a four-screen cinema, a 4,000-seat music venue, two new hotels, new retail outlets and public realm space.

Laing O’Rourke is manufacturing much of the new buildings offsite, using a Design for Manufacture and Assembly

(DfMA)-led approach to shorten lead times and reduce on-site working hours. Approximately 70 per cent of the building will be manufactured at two of Laing O’Rourke’s UK factories. 

Picture: an artist's impression of the bar area in the new theatre, with tiered seating and a curved balcony. Image Credit: Haworth Tompkins

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 28 January 2025

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