Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, has revealed that £45m has now been pledged by private donors for Olympicopolis, the proposed cultural quarter on part of the site of the 2012 Games. He regards the project as an important element in the regeneration of east London and a lasting legacy from the Olympics.
The Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the key partners, plans to set up a branch in the Olympic park in Stratford. Other UK partners are the dance venue Sadler’s Wells, the University of the Arts and University College London. Washington’s Smithsonian Institution is also expected to join, establishing its first base outside the United States—with changing displays from its 19 museums.
Speaking at a fundraising launch at the Olympic Stadium on 5 November, Johnson confirmed that the Smithsonian is still the prospective international participant. “If the Americans can put a man on the moon, they can build a museum in Stratford”, he lightheartedly told the audience.
V&A East, the working title for the Victoria and Albert Museum’s branch, is expected to include London’s largest temporary exhibition space for art. But most of its galleries will be for displays from its permanent collection. These will be quite different from those at the museum’s South Kensington base. At V&A East the displays will be changed more quickly, they will be more interactive and appeal to a slightly younger audience.
Two architectural practices have been appointed to design Olympicopolis: Allies & Morrison, and O’Donnell & Tuomey. The cultural centre is expected to attract 1.5m visitors a year.
The full cost of Olympicopolis is estimated at £850m with the Treasury already having committed £141m. University College London is due to provide £270m. The project’s newly created charity, the Foundation for FutureLondon needs to raise a further £135m. Building work on Olympicopolis is due begin in 2018 and it should be fully open in 2022.