Des Gunewardena’s D3 to open restaurant and bar in Olympia

Des Gunewardena’s new restaurant business, D3 Collective, will launch a new restaurant, bar and events space as part of a £1.3bn redevelopment of Olympia in west London.

Opening from 2025, the 14-acre redevelopment will house the Grade II-listed ‘Pillar Hall’, which Gunewardena and his team will transform into a main restaurant, a less formal café/grill, a central bar, outdoor dining space and a basement speakeasy.

The 30,000 sq ft space will also feature a 370-seated capacity and 600 total capacity new music and events space that will cater for a range of private and public events.

Built in 1885 by architect Henry Edward Coe, the new Pillar Hall will be designed by Robert Angell Design International and will knit together the original design elements with new interiors. Rob Angell and Gunewardena worked together previously, when the restaurateur was CEO of D&D London, to create 14 Hills restaurant in the city.

Gunewardena said: “Olympia is a much-loved British institution, but many people might not have been there for a while. With these plans, that’s going to change big time. The new Olympia is going to become a globally recognised entertainment and leisure destination bang in the middle of west London, and we are excited to be a part of it.”

This will be the third new restaurant from Gunewardena since he departed D&D and launched D3 Collective, following plans for a trio of sites at London’s Royal Exchange and Canary Wharf.

Olympia’s overhaul will be spearheaded by Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance International and co-designed by Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC.

The rejuvenated site will see both exhibition venues revamped with the addition of two hotels, more than 30 bars and restaurants, 550,000-sq ft of new office space, a new AEG 4,400-capacity music arena and a theatre.

Yoo Capital managing partner Lloyd Lee said: “Partnering with an industry heavyweight such as Des further cements Yoo Capital’s commitment of creating a world class destination that showcases the best of major brands, innovation, culture and food.”