Olympia is changing! We’ve been saying that for a while, but now you can really see it. The constant flurry of cranes and construction work over the past few years is now starting to reveal exciting developments. The iconic glass canopy is up, the last of the 2,916 facade panels has been installed at the state-of-the-art One Olympia offices, and the views over London are as magnificent as ever.  

Here are a few photos to show you the update: 

This is truly going to be an exciting year for Olympia.  

In this issue, we interview Des Gunewardena of D3 Collective, co-founder of leading restaurants like Bluebird, German Gymnasium, and most recently founder of Engel and Jang at the Royal Exchange, who will be opening a multifunctional new restaurant, bar and events space here, at the Grade II* listed Pillar Hall. We also highlight some spring events at Olympia, showcase five west London restaurants to try, and have an exciting competition to win a one night’s stay for two at The Churchill, building excitement around the Hyatt Regency London Olympia hotel opening here.  

If you haven’t been down to Olympia lately, do visit us to see how things are taking shape. And if you aren’t already, please follow us on Instagram, where we post all the latest Olympia happenings. 

That’s it for now. Have a great spring and thank you for reading Love Olympia. 

Six Portland Road 

Holland Park 

Any neighbourhood would be lucky to have a restaurant like Six Portland Road, and as it’s in Holland Park, we’re extra lucky it’s so close to Olympia. The décor – white tablecloths and great artwork, candles, well-spaced tables and warm accents – instantly makes you feel at home, as does its residential location. You’re close to Holland Park Ave for ease, but tucked just off it, for peaceful dining. Their menus are seasonal, but current items include dishes such as whipped goat’s cheese and honey crumpets; chowder of Shetland mussels, leek and potatoes; whole sea bass with oregano and basil salsa; and grilled sirloin with purple sprouting broccoli and sauce Bordelaise. They have a reasonable set menu for lunch (12-3pm) and early dinner (5:30-6:30pm), as well as a Sunday lunch and dinner menu featuring roasts and a selection of mains.  

sixportlandroad.com | @sixportlandroad 

Des Gunewardena, D3 Collective

Olympia

Des Gunewardena has had a career in the restaurant industry spanning more than 30 years. The co-founder and former CEO of D&D London, the company behind iconic London restaurants such as Bluebird, German Gymnasium and Quaglino’s, as well as restaurants in NYC, Paris, Stockholm and Tokyo, he’s now created D3 Collective, which will lead the multifaceted hospitality development at Pillar Hall.

Des will be giving the existing Grade II* listed space a modern update, with Robert Angell leading the design. The 30,000 sq ft venue will have a main restaurant, a more casual café and grill, a stunning central bar, an outdoor terrace, a basement speakeasy and a spectacular double-height events space with live music and room for up to 600 guests. He is creating a new destination for west Londoners and we can’t wait!  

We speak to Des about his global industry experience, some things he’s learned along the way, and get his insider insight around what’s to come at Olympia.

Quick 5

West London

Need some restaurant inspiration? Here are five newish venues in west London to try.  

Dove – W11 

We’re huge fans of Jackson Boxer (the chef behind Brunswick House, Jackson Boxer at The Corner in Selfridges, Cowley Manor in the Cotswolds, and Below Stone Nest in the West End), and Dove is his recently relaunched restaurant (ex Orasay) on Kensington Park Road. Come here for elevated comfort food with dishes like deep fried taleggio and Wiltshire truffle lasagna; roast herb-fed half chicken; or if you’re lucky, one of their 10 daily gorgonzola burgers. 

Erev – W11  

When Miznon opened in Soho it was big news! The acclaimed chef Eyal Shani finally brought his playful pitas to the West End, and then to Notting Hill shortly after. Erev is the new dinner offering at Miznon, Notting Hill. Lights will be dimmed, and there will be a Middle Eastern menu divided by earth, sea and land. Dishes include things like Turkish street tacos, shrimp tortellini, and salt-baked baby beetroots.  

Kuro Bagels – W8 

Kuro are now doing bagels. Come here for matcha lattes and classic bagel combos including egg and cheese and lox and cream cheese. And they toast their bagels too (not everyone does)! 

The Blue Stoops – W3 

Bright blue exterior, traditional pub interior, and all by a founder who is a direct descendant of the Allsopp brewery, so there’s Allsopp memorabilia and revived products around. There’s also, fittingly, an ex-Quo Vadis chef at the helm, so you know you’re in good hands. Come here for classic pies, custards, cask ales, and homemade pork scratchings, as well as more contemporary listings like skin-contact wines.  

The Lavery – SW7 

Housed in a collection of restored Grade II listed townhouses, The Lavery has a new Mediterranean restaurant, elegant event spaces, and a café to follow. They also have some heavy hospitality names at the helm including a chef who spent nine years at the River Café and a creative director who ran launches for Odeon NYC and L’Escargot.

Earnt x Olympia

Olympia

Here at Olympia, community is at the heart of what we’re building.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with EARNT, a one-of-a-kind platform offering exclusive rewards (or ETYs—Earned Thank Yous), to those who volunteer their time for good causes.

For the past few months, we have worked with EARNT to create a partnership that will encourage our community to support those who need it most, in the most impactful way. This partnership works by reinventing the VIP experience and weaving it into Olympia’s community. We’re bringing together local heroes and top brands coming to Olympia to make our part of London even more special, and we know you’ll want to join us.

Stay tuned for more exciting news with Olympia and EARNT!

Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill

Marylebone

Joining us at Olympia will be the shiny new Hyatt Regency London Olympia hotel, complete with 204 rooms and suites, a restaurant with lobby lounge and a bar, and three meeting spaces. It will offer a sophisticated stay for anyone attending a show at Olympia as well as a great place for locals to socialise.  

To celebrate, Hyatt is offering a Love Olympia reader one-night stay for two at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, in Marylebone. Hotel highlights include its year-round chic outdoor terrace and all-day British restaurant; you’re also surrounded by some of London’s top attractions, so it’s a great base for exploring.  

To enter, follow Olympia and Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill on Instagram, tag who you’d like to join, and share on your Stories, too, for a bonus entry.

Incredible Offices

Olympia

There are set to be some truly outstanding amenities at One Olympia, the new Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC-designed offices, including flexible workspace from global workspace innovators IWG, state-of-the-art conferencing facilities and, most notably, the largest outdoor office terraces in west London featuring spectacular views across the skyline. They will also have award-winning, Platinum-accredited end of journey facilities (think a cycle hub with a concierge); a communal lounge with a restaurant and bar; gallery, event, performance and meeting spaces; and enough room to really innovate and collaborate amongst colleagues. Get in touch for more information or to discuss any of your workspace leasing needs.

GoodGym

West London

If Earnt motivates people to give back via VIP access, GoodGym gets them fit along the way: it’s ‘a community of people who get fit by doing good’. Joining is easy: enter your postcode on their website and see what upcoming tasks are. These might include things like garden cleanups, helping at a park run, leafleting, or setting up a shelter. There are sometimes runs added onto the tasks, or members will run, walk or cycle to get there, encouraging fitness amongst fellow volunteers.

Dior Men Fall 2022

Olympia

As London Fashion Week has just passed, we thought we’d highlight the Dior Men Fall show that took place at Olympia in 2022. Led by the Maison’s then-artistic director, Kim Jones, the collection was based on Jack Kerouac’s book, On the Road. The runway was designed to look like a giant manuscript, there was a curated pre-show exhibition of rare books, and the collection was inspired by “packing, unpacking, mixing things up” for a road trip. Watch the show here.

Top 5 Spring Events

West London

It’s spring! For our seasonal picks we have three upcoming fairs at Olympia, as well as theatre and something for the kids.

Olympia Instagram

Olympia

Follow us on social media to see exclusive content including 90 Seconds With Des Gunewardena, which complements his interview above. We also have event updates, insider access to Olympia exhibitions, historical throwbacks, neighbourhood news, competitions and special announcements.

We’re in the press!

Global

Time Out  

“In 2025 we’ll see some major projects, some of which have been going on for a decade, finally finished and unveiled to the public. The results of Olympia’s enormous £1.3 billion makeover will finally be unveiled this year. And it looks set to become a buzzing cultural hub. The new and improved Olympia centre will include two hotels, a swanky new theatre, a 4,000 capacity music arena and over 30 places to wine and dine.”  

The Standard 

“[Heatherwick] is in the final throws of his reimagined Olympia, a showcase for global entertainment, emerging talent, and cutting-edge ideas, including event spaces, a theatre, a music hall, hotels, restaurants and offices that is going to become one of the most important new districts in London when it opens at the end of the year.” 

Premier Construction News  

Historic Restoration  

“Heritage construction experts DBR London have commenced the task of restoring the lost sculptures and friezes of Olympia’s iconic Grand Hall entrance.”