Author and photographer Andrew Wilson, who has penned over 20 books, took the stage to shed light on Kensington’s origins. He traced the area’s heritage back to the Domesday Book, where it was mentioned as “Cheneistone,” the precursor to modern-day Kensington. William the Conqueror, the famed Norman monarch, distributed land to his supporters, and it was the De Vere family who secured the grounds that would become Kensington.

Andrew showed the enthralled audience maps and photographs of Kensington throughout history. These included a map from 1746 with the original palace, known at the time as ‘Nottingham House’. A map from 1840 detailing where Olympia is now – where, previously, it was a vineyard. A map from 1880 was displayed with the rural surroundings giving way to a more urban landscape, much in part due to the advent of the railways; and finally, an aerial shot from 1949 revealed a coal depot where the Riverstone Kensington residence now sits.

Next to take the stage was Louise Paige-Jennings, Director of Communications and Social Impact from Yoo Capital, that has been the owner of Olympia since 2017. Built in 1886 by Henry Coe, Olympia has witnessed a range of events, from agriculture to high fashion. Its spaces include the Grand Hall, the National Hall, and West Level One.

Providing details of the 11 acre site, Louise showcased some of the key details that will make up the new look of the Olympia site, including:

• CitizenM Hotel
• Office space and a roof terrace available to the public
• West-end style theatre that will hold 1,500 people
• A music venue run by AEG that will hold 4,000 people
• Restoration of the facade along Olympia Way that will include cafes, shops, and a farmer’s market on the weekends
• From Olympia Way, there will be an elevator that takes people to the Sky Gardens, and central thoroughfare that runs in the middle of the whole site, the width of Regent Street
• Hyatt Regency Hotel, on the site of the current multi-storey car park, originally designed by John Emberton
• A performing arts school for students 11+, a partnership with the Brit School, that will also have a purpose-built theatre within it

The entire site is due to be completed by the end of 2024, with the hotels, food options, and music venue scheduled to open their doors in early 2025. The school is set to welcome students in September 2025, the start of the school year, with the theatre opening in 2026.

Olympia is set to be a thriving hub at the heart of London’s culture, and one that will add an even greater sense of community to Kensington once completed.