Olympia has unveiled a major £2m restoration of its historic National Hall, marking the first full upgrade of the venue’s iconic arched roof since it was built in 1923.
The project included a roof reglaze and complete interior repaint, breathing new life into the iconic events and exhibition spaces managed by Olympia Events. The upgrade preserves the building’s unique heritage while enhancing safety, comfort, and functionality for organisers and visitors alike.
Delivered by Standard Patent Glazing Company, the revitalised hall now benefits from improved natural light, upgraded safety and performance features, and a refreshed interior. The comprehensive replacement scheme comes ahead of Olympia’s £1.3 billion regeneration project, ensuring its heritage halls remain a first-choice venue for world-class events and exhibitions as the site transforms into London’s newest entertainment destination. The works also form part of a broader restoration and upgrade project being led by the Olympia Events team, which will see new investments in the venue’s F&B offering, technology, and infrastructure ahead of the destination launch.
Andy O’Sullivan, CEO at Olympia Events, said:
“Events and exhibitions remain at the heart of what we do, and that’s not going away. As we prepare to launch the wider destination, we’re committed to investing in and upgrading our historic event spaces to meet modern expectations while maintaining the highest industry standards. The National Hall restoration is just one example of our dedication to preserving our heritage and supporting the exhibitions and events industry with world-class facilities.”
The project delivered 1,460m² of new glazing in The National Hall, including the replacement of 696 roof glass panes with specialist laminated bombload glazing, completed while the venue remained fully operational with live events. The works presented significant heritage, logistical and access challenges, with The Standard Patent Glazing Company providing a solution that preserved the building’s historic character while meeting modern safety, durability and performance standards.
Sustainability has also been a key consideration within the project. In line with Olympia’s long-term sustainability strategy, The Grand Plan, the removed panes have been collected and recycled by the venue’s waste management partners, Halsehurt, helping to divert materials from landfill.
Gillian Kiamil, Venue Director at Olympia Events, said:
“These upgrades will have a direct benefit to all our event organisers, providing a brighter, safer, and enhanced venue to deliver exceptional events. Thanks to the expertise of the Standard Patent Glazing Company, we’re future-proofing our venue while preserving the character of an iconic roof that has remained largely untouched since the 1920s. We’re excited to welcome them into this revitalised space and continuing the journey with them as Olympia evolves into a world-class destination.”