ExCeL London, UK has secured local council Newham Planning Committee approval to expand the venue, which will increase the building’s usable event space by 25,000sqm.
Construction works are expected to start in 2022.
ExCeL’s CEO Jeremy Rees said the decision was a “key moment” not just for ExCeL but for its customers and the entire UK events industry.
“The expansion of ExCeL will ensure that London and the UK remains internationally competitive and a destination of choice for world leading events, for years to come. Moreover, this investment will ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our customers by providing opportunities for growth, complemented by a world class guest experience,” he said.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, managing director and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) said that the investment “continues to affirm its commitment towards developing its assets in London”.
Al Dhaheri added: “This consolidates ExCeL’s position as one of the largest exhibition and conference hubs in Europe, and its pivotal role through the direct and indirect economic impact. The new expansion phase for ExCeL London contributes to our investments in the business tourism sector for the United Kingdom.
“It is an extension of the expansion phase launched in 2010 which supports our goals of meeting the needs of our partners and providing flexible spaces for hosting mega events.”
Following the initial expansion of the venue in 2010, including the opening of London’s International Convention Centre (ICC), it has been a long-term ambition to further extend ExCeL to meet increased client demand.
Substantial investment
This new investment will deliver an additional 25,000sqm of event space, with 12,000sqm of exhibition space on the ground floor, and integrated into the existing venue. The plans also show a high-end convention space, state-of-the-art meeting rooms and catering facilities on the upper floor. In addition, a “substantial” investment will be made in greenery along the dock edge, improved landscaping, and a new pocket park. The extension will increase overall floorspace by 25%, enabling ExCeL’s customers to grow their events in a world class environment.
Rees added that ExCeL has an ambition to create “the most sustainable development possible” and will therefore be targeting a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of ‘Excellent’ – surpassing the recognised industry standard.
The opening of the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) in 2022 will mean visitors can reach ExCeL in 15-minutes from Central London and 43-minutes from Heathrow, via the venue’s onsite Elizabeth line station at Custom House.
