Render – Upstairs at Pillar Hall
Opening in Spring 2026, restaurateur Des Gunewardena, founder of D3 Collective and co-founder and former CEO of D&D London, will unveil a trio of exciting new venues at the landmark £1.3bn redevelopment of Olympia, a new globally leading culture and entertainment destination.
Gunewardena’s three new concepts will be housed within the magnificent 30,000 sq ft Pillar Hall – a Grade II* listed landmark which was the site of one of the first film screenings in Britain and hosted fashion shows in the early 1980s. The investment in the Pillar Hall development will be in excess of £10m. The launch will see the debut of Idalia a 300 cover, all day restaurant on Pillar Hall’s ground floor; Pepperbird, a 70 cover speakeasy bar tucked beneath Pillar Hall; and Upstairs at Pillar Hall, a spectacular double height 500+ capacity event space on the upper floors of the building.
Pillar Hall’s kitchens will be led by an accomplished all-female team, with Samantha Williams appointed Executive Chef and Lorena Tommasi as Executive Pastry Chef. Williams, previously Executive Chef at Jeremy King’s The Park and former Group Executive Chef for Angela Hartnett, will oversee the venues’ culinary direction, while Tommasi, whose experience spans The Park, Annabel’s, George Club and Josephine by Claude Bosi, will lead on pastries and desserts, which will be highlights of Idalia’s and Pillar Hall’s event menus. The menus will reflect Williams’ and Tommasi’s modern interpretation of British cuisine, featuring both quintessentially English dishes and international influences that have become staples of the UK dining scene.
Pillar Hall
Originally built in 1886 by architect Henry Edward Coe – the visionary behind Olympia’s iconic Grand Hall – Pillar Hall’s neoclassical interiors have been transformed by global design studio Robert Angell Design International. The redesign will honour the building’s historic architecture while introducing a bold, contemporary aesthetic. The project reunites Des Gunewardena and Robert Angell, whose previous collaboration – the acclaimed 14 Hills restaurant – won multiple design awards.
Robert Angell Design International has established itself as a leader in luxury interior design worldwide and in 2021 was named ‘’Hospitality Designer of the Decade’’ by International and Hotel Property Awards.
Idalia’s name is associated with goddess Aphrodite who resided on Mount Olympus – a nod to the beauty, light, and allure of Pillar Hall. The name reached peak popularity in the 1880s, the very decade that Pillar Hall was built. The restaurant will be designed as a series of distinct spaces, reflecting the feel of the ‘House of Idalia’. Guests will begin in the conservatory, surrounded by lush greenery, before moving to the bar, where classic and theatrical Idalia cocktails will be crafted, and finally to the warm and inviting dining room. Idalia will offer seating for 250 with a 50-cover terrace spilling into Olympia’s Grand Hall.
Pillar Hall
Pepperbird will be a basement speakeasy. Live music will be a key part of its identity, drawing inspiration not only from 1970s jazz – but also from Olympia’s rich rock music heritage having been the venue for legendary performances from bands like Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and The Who.
Upstairs at Pillar Hall the building’s 500+ capacity events venue will feature Robert Angell’s modern interior created within the building’s remarkable classical structure. The venue showcases soaring ceilings – with a mezzanine overlooking the main dining and entertainment area below – ornate pillars, and intricate mouldings celebrate the building’s Victorian craftsmanship. On Friday nights and at weekends Upstairs at Pillar Hall will evolve into a restaurant and bar with live music.
Pillar Hall marks the second new venture from restaurateur Des Gunewardena since founding his new hospitality company, D3 Collective.
Des Gunewardena, Founder of D3 Collective, 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.’’
Michael Volkert, CEO of Olympia Estates, said: “The whole Olympia team is incredibly passionate about the transformation of this heritage site which has played such a big part in British culture over the last 140 years. That’s why we are thrilled to see Pillar Hall being brought back to life by Des and his D3 Collective team through these three new concepts that build on its incredible history, and we cannot wait for Olympia visitors to be able to experience them.”
