Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street, London
Event space: The much-anticipated rooftop dining destination at 20 Fenchurch Street opens at the start of the year. Originally scheduled to open summer 2014, the venue will occupy the top three floors of the building, also known as the Walkie Talkie, and will be operated by event caterer Rhubarb. In addition to a landscaped garden, bar, viewing area, two restaurants and café it will boast a private dining room and three event spaces with a total capacity for 540 people including staff.
The garden has been installed by the same team behind the Olympic Park’s green spaces with the help of experts from Kew Gardens and, once open, will become the highest rooftop garden in the capital. Opens January 2015.
Factfile
Largest space: 540
Nearest station: Monument tube
Hire cost: POA
Preferred supplier list? Yes
Contact: Rhubarb on 0333 772 0020
Web:
Regent Street Cinema, London
Event space: The University of Westminster is working with Tim Ronalds Architects, the company behind the restoration of the Hackney Empire, to bring back to life the Regent Street Cinema in time for spring. Used by pioneering film-makers, the Lumière brothers, to perform their first ever moving picture show in the UK in 1896, the building is considered the ‘birthplace’ of British cinema.
It has remained closed to the public for the past 34 years, but when it reopens, it will be available to hire for events such as private screenings and product launches for up to 200 guests. To raise the final funds needed to complete the restoration, the university is offering supporters the opportunity to have a seat named after themselves. Opens April 2015.
Factfile
Largest space: 200 seated
Nearest station: Oxford Circus tube
Hire cost: TBC
Preferred supplier list? No
Email: cinema@westminster.ac.uk
Web:
Chai Wu, London
Event space: New modern Chinese restaurant, Chai Wu, will open on the fifth floor of world-famous luxury department store Harrods at the start of the year. The restaurant concept and interior design will be inspired by the five elements in Chinese philosophy: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
A theatrical charcoal grill will provide the main focal point in the centre of the venue, with guests able to sit at the dining bar surrounding the grill for a prime view of the chefs at work.
Natural materials such as marble, leather and timber will be used to showcase both traditional and contemporary Chinese design. The restaurant be available to hire out exclusively for events and will seat up to 90 guests. Opens January 2015.
Factfile
Largest space: 90 seated
Nearest station: Knightsbridge tube
Hire cost: POA
Preferred supplier list? No
Contact: Reservations on 0203 819 8888
Web: www.chaiwu.co.uk
Jinjuu
Event space: Korean-American chef and presenter Judy Joo will open her first restaurant in London's Soho this January, timed to coincide with the launch her cookery and travel show Korean Food Made Simple on Food Network UK. Ex-chef of the Playboy Club, Joo worked on Wall Street before swapping her career for the kitchen.
The venue will be available for exclusive hire and will be split over two floors; the upstairs serving as a bar area where guests can sample Soju cocktails and Asian beer, and the basement level functioning as the restaurant with an open kitchen grill. The entire space will seat up to 85 people and will showcase Joo's interpretation of Korean food and flavours, including her signature dish of KFC - Korean fried chicken. Opening in January 2015.
Largest space: 85 seated
Nearest station: Oxford Circus/Piccadilly Circus tube
Hire cost: POA
Preferred supplier list? No
Contact: 0208 1818887
Web: www.jinjuu.com
Savoy Pier, London
Event space: Woods’ Silver Fleet, the firm behind luxury event yacht the Silver Sturgeon, has been given permission to build a new Savoy Pier on Victoria Embankment adjacent to the Savoy Hotel and flanked on either side by Cleopatra’s Needle and Waterloo Bridge.
The pier will incorporate a series of glazed spaces suitable for hosting corporate events. Plans include a pair of 200sqm rooms with river views, 130m glass-encased pontoon and a 198sqm glass boathouse housing the new 15m river taxi, Silver Darling.
The new pier will feature the an original 19th century entrance, but with 21st century eco architectural touches including a meadow 'living' roof, solar panels, LED lighting by one of the world’s leading lighting designers, and cast concrete and granite decking.
Factfile
Largest space: 200sqm (capacities not released yet)
Nearest station: Embankment tube
Hire cost: POA
Preferred supplier list? Yes
Contact: The event team on 020 7759 1900
Web:
Here are three more .
Comment below to let us know what you think.
For more in-depth and print-only features, showcases and interviews with world-leading brands, don't miss the next issue of Event magazine .