Exhibition London – Conversion and Restoration of a Grade-II Victorian Building

Constructing Excellence

Exhibition London delivers 3000 sqm of usable event space spanning 2 floors, with double  height ceilings featuring luxury bespoke interior design set against original heritage features, and provides a true sense of grandeur from the moment you enter the venue. With an elegant reception space, 2 built in bars, prep kitchen, cloakroom facilities and green rooms, the venue creates a spectacular backdrop to host events for up to 2,396 standing, 1365 theatre style and 775 for seated dinners

Constructing Excellence

The Dimco Buildings (East and West) represent a stunning Victorian structure, first built in 1899, representing the earliest example of an electricity generating station built for the London Underground railway system. They were designed as the engine and boiler houses of the Wood Lane generating station, supplying energy for the Central London Railways and were Grade 2 listed in 1988 in recognition of their heritage and the iconic TFL aesthetics remain in place, with tiled interior walls and red brick lending unique character to the venue. When no longer required for the railway the buildings were named for the Dimco Company which opened a machine shop there. The buildings had a starring role as the Acme factory in the 1988 cult classic ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and as the interior of the British Museum in ,The Mummy Returns.

Constructing Excellence

A collaboration between Unibail Rodamco Westfield and venue specialists Broadwick Live to convert Dimco East sees this iconic building brought into public use for the first time.

To enable the building to operate successfully with no disruption to the local residents, an acoustically and thermally sealed box was created without affecting the structure, fabric or external appearance of the building.

Constructing Excellence

As the Building is statutorily listed, any physical works to the structure internally or externally were approved by a listed building consent application, along with a planning permission for the change in use of the building

Constructing Excellence

The venue has provided a welcome addition to the local arts scene and further bolstering the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham’s already impressive arts and music credentials, it represents another development in the wider £8 billion regeneration of White City and will attract and serve the not only the local community but the ever increasing number of people who rightly view White City as one of the most exciting growth places in the capital.

Key achievements

  • The successful completion of the project has breathed life into an iconic heritage building and created another new space at Westfield London where people can come together, this demonstrates the delivery of a forward thinking and futuristic concept into a Grade 2 listed building retaining its historic architectural language, materials and legacy.
  • This historical building has been retained, protected and intermittently used throughout 2 major phases of Construction of Westfield London Phases 1 and 2 on the site over the last 12 years with the aim of eventually being converted into its final format, a public space complementing the redeveloped environment which was delivered under budget and three months early to a delighted client.
  • Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s own Design and Construction team delivered the restoration of this iconic building enabling Broadwick Live to operate the venue moving forward to operate a new home to nightlife culture in London, in keeping with URW’s Placemaking Strategy in the White City Opportunity Area along with their track record of hosting major events and talent, including Rhianna, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Rita Ora – having been the first company to create a dedicated public events space in the UK.