Heritage construction experts DBR London (DBR) have begun restoration of the lost sculptures and friezes at Olympia’s iconic Grand Hall entrance.
Appointed by main contractor Laing O’Rourke, DBR’s specialist in-house craftspeople are recreating intricate architectural details to recapture the grandeur of one of the capital’s most celebrated venues.
The project, a key part of Olympia’s £1.3bn transformation, focuses on reinstating allegorical figures and decorative elements removed in the mid-20th century. Built in 1886 as the National Agricultural Hall, the venue’s original entranceway was celebrated for its handsome red brick and Portland stone façade as well as its sculptures evoking ancient Greek mythology. These are believed to have depicted figures such as Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and her companions Triptolemus and Persephone.
Working closely with acclaimed stone carver Simon Smith, the project has been defined by two parts — restoring the frieze panel above the main Grand Hall entrance, and recreating the once-striking sculptures that originally sat atop the building, but vanished in the 1950s.
"When Olympia approached me for the project, I was delighted to take on this exciting challenge, to recapture the beauty of these historically important pieces and return them to their rightful place at Olympia's Grand Hall. It’s one of the largest stone restoration projects currently underway in London, and I’m proud that we’ve chosen to honour traditional craftsmanship by doing it all by hand, keeping the art of stone carving alive.”
Simon Smith
Once carved, these remarkable pieces will be installed by DBR’s team of masons, whose impressive portfolio includes: the conservation of The Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) and the repair, replacement and resetting of the Palace of Westminster’s historic interior Encaustic tiling.
“The restored friezes and statues will serve as a striking tribute to Olympia’s rich architectural legacy, combining historical accuracy with DBR's renowned craftsmanship and attention to detail”, said Adrian Attwood ACR, Executive Director and Chairman of DBR.
“Uncovering the stories behind the missing friezes and statues has been an exciting and rewarding challenge for our team. This project will breathe new life into one of London’s most celebrated landmarks, and we’re proud to be collaborating closely with Laing O’Rourke and the team at Olympia to deliver this important project.”
John Hitchcox, Chairman and Founder of Yoo, part of the ownership team behind the redeveloped Olympia alongside DFI, said: “The transformation Olympia is currently undergoing is all about celebrating its heritage and future-proofing this unique part of London history for generations to come, and DBR’s work is a big part of that. Thanks to the careful restoration of the friezes and statues, visitors to Olympia will be able to see it as it was intended, and we very much look forward to welcoming Londoners and visitors from further afield once the new destination opens from the second half of 2025.”
To find out more about DBR’s heritage conservation work, click here.