Join architecture guide Nick Edwards of London Architecture Tours to explore how the London 2012 Olympics transformed 250 hectares of former industrial land into the thriving Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Discover how London planned for life beyond 2012, turning a vast brownfield site in the Lower Lea Valley into a new metropolitan district. We’ll explore plans for the development of five new neighbourhoods, the creation of new homes, workplaces and public spaces, and the long-term vision behind this remarkable urban transformation, alongside some ground-breaking community engagement programmes.
Along the way, you’ll see iconic Olympic venues including the Aquatics Centre, Velodrome and London Stadium, as well as major developments such as East Village (former athletes village), new housing neighbourhoods Chobham Manor and Eastwick as well as Here East the tech innovation hub.
We’ll also visit the park’s beautifully designed landscapes and East Bank, London’s newest cultural quarter, home to institutions including V&A East, Sadler’s Wells East, BBC Music Studios, London College of Fashion and University College London (UCL).
This 2-hour walking tour offers a fascinating insight into the planning, architecture, and legacy of London 2012 and the future of this rapidly evolving part of East London.
About Nick:
Much of Nick’s professional experience has focused on East London and specifically the 2012 Games and its Legacy. This included co-founding Fundamental Architectural Inclusion funded by CABE, establishing the Architecture Crew, Britain’s first youth architecture forum, and setting up the Legacy Youth Panel on behalf of the London Legacy Development Corporation to facilitate young people’s response to the Legacy Masterplanning Framework for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and surrounding area.