D3 Collective founder Des Gunewardena has lifted the lid on his return to the London restaurant scene, unveiling plans for three new venues in Olympia’s iconic Grade II* Listed Pillar Hall.
Plans include ground floor restaurant Idalia - a 300-cover, all-day restaurant on the ground floor of the building; a more intimate 70 cover basement speakeasy called Pepperbird; and Upstairs at Pillar Hall - an enormous events space on the Hall’s upper floors, with capacity for over 500 guests. The projects will cost in excess of £10m, further bumping up the cost of Olympia’s £1.3bn redevelopment.
Idalia’s name pays homage to the ancient Cypriot city of Idalion - supposedly a sacred site to Aphrodite, and a nod to the classical beauty of the Pillar Hall. It will be divided into a conservatory, cocktail bar and dining room, with seating for 250 and another 50 on the terrace.
The mezzanine floor of Pillar Hall will belong to Upstairs at Pillar Hall, and will overlook the main dining area below.
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Render of Upstairs at Pillar Hall
Meanwhile, Pillar Hall’s kitchens will be home to an all-female team, lead by Executive Chef Samantha Williams, and Executive Pastry Chef Lorena Tommasi. Williams previously worked alongside Jeremy King as Executive Chef at The Park, and with Angela Hartnett as Group Executive Chef, and Tommasi also boasts a decorated CV, having worked at restaurants such as The Park, Annabel’s, George Club and Claude Bosi’s Josephine.
D3 Collective founder Des Gunewardena, said: ‘I have been involved with this amazing project since before Covid, so we are unbelievably excited to finally be opening! Olympia is a much-loved British institution. Yoo Capital and DFI’s ambitious and visionary redevelopment of Olympia will mark a significant milestone in its storied history. Olympia will become a world-class destination for culture, entertainment, and leisure in the heart of West London, and we are very proud to be a part of it.’
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