The complex, which opened its first phase in 2000, can now also serve as the city's first international conference center. In addition, it is planned to use it during the Olympics (it is located in Greenwich, next to the venue): competitions in judo, boxing, fencing, table tennis, etc. will be held in its five auditoriums.
The new part of ExCeL includes 32,500 m2 of exhibition space, including a new hall with 15 m high ceilings (which is 2 times more than in the existing premises), the floor level of which is lowered to zero on the east side, which gives even higher and creates a connection with the surrounding landscape. Both of these aspects are important, in particular for the famous London Boat Show, as well as for the visual connection with the nearby Prince Regent LRT station, from where visitors to this area of the exhibition center will arrive (the old part is served by the Custom House station, and this separation will help reduce the load on it).
Visually, the new part of ExCeL is highlighted outside by a yellow "Spiral", which completes the main axis of the entire complex, the so-called. Bolshoi Boulevard. It unites all levels of the building and serves as a convenient reference point. On both sides of the boulevard, along with exhibition spaces, recreational areas and shops are asymmetrically located, which should break the monotony of the layout, which determines the purpose of the structure. To help visitors avoid "exhibition fatigue", individual sections of the boulevard have been transformed into "courtyards" with ETFE polymer ceilings: it allows light and air to pass through, which creates the feeling of being in the fresh air. Also, bright colors, used everywhere, except exhibition halls, are intended to revive the interior.
In a conference center, rooms without support can be divided and combined just as easily as in the exhibition area.
