Olympia

he Olympia Theatre has been an east-end landmark since it’s opening in 1911.

The building opened as a theatre and cinema and by 1924 was solely used as a cinema. Suffering increased deterioration since closing in 2000 significant damage occurred during a fire in 2004.

The new Olympia has created over 3300sq.m of floor space and incorporates a public library at ground level, a centre of excellence for elite athletes at first floor level, and much needed high quality lettable office space above.

The design approach was to retain and stabilise the existing stone facades to Olympia Street and Orr Street and remove all structure and finishes behind due to significant deterioration.

The new build element has provided a visible facade onto Orr Street, also viewed from Bridgeton Cross.

The building will be transformed externally, with areas of glazing opening up the existing façade and a new glazed frontage onto Orr Street, allowing the activities in the first floor sports training areas and the upper floor offices to be seen from the street, animating the building at all times of the day.

A new granite plinth will run along the ground floor on Olympia Street before wrapping up and over the large curtain wall opening on Orr Street, the design being reminiscent of a proscenium arch recalling the buildings original use.

At ground level the primary access to the building will be from the corner of Orr Street and Olympia Street, via the original theatre entrance, which will be covered by a new canopy, recreating the original of the Olympia Theatre. The foyer will allow access to all levels via a spiralling timber clad stair.

The development has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating and incorporates such things as rainwater harvesting, high thermal insulation and a micro CHP plant.