Des Gunewardena’s D3 Collective’ to launch three new venues

Restaurateur Des Gunewardena (pictured), founder of D3 Collective, will unveil a trio of new venues at the landmark £1.3bn redevelopment of Olympia next spring.

The three new concepts from the co-founder and former CEO of D&D London will include the debut of Idalia, a 300-cover, all day restaurant on Pillar Hall’s ground floor; Pepperbird, a 70-cover speakeasy bar beneath Pillar Hall; and Upstairs at Pillar Hall, a double height 500+ capacity event space on the upper floors of the building. 

The investment in the Pillar Hall development will be in excess of £10m.

The launch will see Pillar Hall’s kitchens led by an all-female team, with Samantha Williams appointed executive chef and Lorena Tommasi as executive pastry chef.

Williams was previously executive chef at Jeremy King’s The Park and former group executive chef for Angela Hartnett. Tommasi's experience spans The Park, Annabel’s, George Club and Josephine by Claude Bosi.

"I have been involved with this amazing project since before Covid, so we are unbelievably excited to finally be opening," says Gunewardena. "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."

The project reunites Gunewardena and designer Robert Angell, whose previous collaboration was the acclaimed 14 Hills restaurant. 

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