MUSIC fans are set to be graced with a brand new venue in the heart of a bustling city this month.
The state-of-the-art site, named British Airways ARC, is part of the £1.3 billion transformation of the historic London Olympia.
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The British Airways ARC opens its doors later this month Credit: Unknown
Fans will get to see their favourite artists from as early as this month Credit: Paul Harries
The live music space has been described as a world class venue which will host music, comedy and entertainment.
To enter, you must go up a set of glowing escalators to be welcomed into the multi-site hub, first being greeted by dozens of restaurants.
As you walk through the ARC doors, you will see a huge event space, with a self-serve bar to your right and a main bar behind.
Audience members will have an array of options for seating and can upgrade and relax in the VIP British Airways Wing. This area offers private access to a premium bar with luxury seating and hand-crafted cocktails.
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British Airways ARC is the first venue of its size to be built in London from the ground up in over a decade Credit: Paul Harries
Visitors will benefit from a self-serve bar Credit: Paul Harries
The lounge area presents an unbeatable view, allowing you to watch the show in comfort with a sophisticated backdrop, whilst essentially sitting beside the stage.
Alternatively, fans can have the chance to watch their favourite acts with the Front Row experience, placing you at the forefront of the balcony.
The Olympia transformation has taken a whopping six years and fits under the AEG umbrella alongside iconic venues including Eventim Apollo and 02 Indigo.
ARC is the first venue of its size to be built in the city from the ground up in more than 10 years. It is set to open its doors on June 16.
Speaking about why this venue is so unique, Lucy Noble, SVP UK venues at AEG Presents UK, told The Jattvibe: “So the O2 is one of our biggest venues as well. And what I think is different is that it’s a mid-sized venue.
“I can’t think of another place, certainly in London, where there’s a small mid-sized venue with a wider campus like this.”
She added: “We’ve been able to design it right from the start.
“We’ve been really fortunate because we’ve been able to make it exactly how we want it to be and design it thinking about the customer experience and the artist experience.”
AEG hopes that major artists who usually play at an arena will eye up the new venue for a residency.
McFly are set to play at the ARC just two days into the venue opening, with other acts including Self Esteem, Van Morrison, Khalid and The Black Keys already set to perform throughout the year.
Lucy continued: “It’s very exciting and it’s quite emotional actually because it’s been such a lot of work.
“I can’t tell you how immense it is to build and open a venue in terms of the workload.
“But I think it’s going to be incredible. Everyone will feel very proud.”
And the ARC isn’t the only thing to expect when visiting the 140-year-old Olympia.
The historic site will also feature a 1,575-seat theatre, plenty of bars, two hotels, and 550,000 square feet of office space.
Developers have also predicted that it will further boost the economy including the tourism and job sector.
The expansion is supported by Deutsche Finance International and Yoo Capital.
Lloyd Lee, managing partner at Yoo Capital, commented: “Olympia stands as a key pillar of investment in the UK, reinforcing the substantial economic contribution of the nation’s cultural and creative industries and furthering ‘Brand Britain’.”
Whilst the site will still operate as an exhibition venue, it will now include a co-educational senior school, more than 30 food and drink outlets and a 2.5-acre public space.
Dining options will include a diverse food hall, American-themed restaurants and world cuisine from Japan, Tokyo and more.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan previously boasted about the venue and said: “The regeneration of Olympia is one of the most exciting projects in London, creating a fantastic, new music venue and theatre and giving one of the capital’s most famous exhibition spaces a 21st-century makeover for events such as London Tech Week.”
“This is exactly the kind of project that London needs – helping us to attract tourism, enhancing our cultural offer and delivering a huge boost to the economy.”
To find out more about the venue visit here.
