FINAL STEELWORK ADDED TO EXCEL’S 25,000SQM EXPANSION AS PROJECT ON TRACK FOR OCTOBER 2024 COMPLETION

Chairman Humaid Al Dhaheri tightens final bolt on structure of £220 million development that will see London venue become largest fully integrated conference & exhibition centre in Europe.

ExCeL London, part of the ADNEC Group, has reached a significant milestone as the final piece of structural steelwork has been fitted for the 25,000sqm (270,000sqft) state-of-the-art expansion project.  

The £220 million development, fully supported by ADNEC Group and built by McLaren Construction, will expand the venue’s existing world-class facilities by a further 25% – totaling 125,000sqm (1,250,000sqft). Almost 5,000 tons of steel have now been installed and once complete, in October 2024, the London venue will become the largest fully integrated conference and exhibition centre in Europe.

Humaid Al Dhaheri, Chairman of ExCeL and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group visited the venue in person to inspect the progress and conduct a site tour. The expansion represents ADNEC Group's focus on enhancing its capabilities and quality of services while diversifying its overall portfolio to secure positive business and investment results and serve the interests of current and future partners. 

Al Dhaheri said: “ExCeL London is already a world-class venue, and this expansion will further strengthen its leading position within the international events and business tourism industry. It also represents a new chapter for ADNEC Group in line with our sustainability growth plans, and we’re very much looking forward to officially opening the doors next year.” 

Hosting around 400 events every year and welcoming four million visitors, one million of those from overseas, ExCeL is currently experiencing its busiest ever year – tracking 10% higher than its previous record set before the pandemic in 2019. This includes record demand for event space, record-breaking attendance figures across multiple sectors and flourishing new attractions and immersive division.  

Jeremy Rees, CEO of ExCeL, commented: “Our new expansion stems from growing demand from event organisers across the UK, Europe, and North America. This growth will allow ExCeL to compete for and welcome some of the largest congresses in Europe, with the first contracts already signed for future years and paving the way for it to become the future of conferencing in Europe.”

Darren Gill, Managing Director for the London & South division at McLaren Construction, added: "ExCeL’s expansion is a flagship project for McLaren and illustrates our approach on a grand scale. The steel structure is one of those areas where the project was able to improve on the sustainability of a typical steel frame, using 50% recycled steel that significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the project. Working collaboratively with the client, designers, subcontractor teams and local stakeholders we were able to overcome many challenges to deliver the monumental steel frame on program.”

In line with ExCeL’s Sustainability Strategy and carbon neutrality, the expansion is being built to leading environmental standards with the goal of achieving an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating upon completion and has already saved more than 11,000kg of CO2e by using Cemfree, an ultra-low carbon masonry mortar. 

As part of the project, a substantial investment is also being made in the public realm including new greenery along the dock edge, improved landscaping for pedestrians and cyclists, and a new pocket park. 

ExCeL’s expansion opens in October 2024. For more information click here