Work at ExCeL Centre set to wrap up in late 2024

McLaren has beaten Sir Robert McAlpine to land a £200m deal to expand the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands.

The work will involve adding an extra 25,000 sq m of space at the complex which is used to hold conferences, events and exhibitions.

The original scheme was completed by McAlpine and opened in 2000 with a further phase of work finished in 2010. McAlpine was working on the current scheme before McLaren nipped in.

Excel Stage 3 Image

How the revamped venue will look

This third phase of work will increase space by 25% and is scheduled to be wrapped up by autumn 2024.

Work will include convention facilities, exhibition halls and conference rooms and improved catering amenities. It will also feature outdoor spaces with external terraces, along with an enhanced public realm.

Designed by Grimshaw Architects, others working on the job include cost and project manager Gardiner & Theobald, M&E consultant Hoare Lea and structures consultant Campbell Reith.

McLaren group managing director Paul Heather said: “We have the expertise and experience to bring forward a world-class project of this scale, that will add value to ExCeL London, ensuring its position as a world-class venue.”

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The centre was turned into a Nightingale hospital at the start of the pandemic in April 2020

The venue has been owned by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company since 2008 and among the events it has hosted have included the London Boat Show, Grand Designs and the G20 summit in 2009.

It was also turned into a Nightingale hospital at the start of the covid-19 pandemic with capacity for up to 4,000 beds.