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An iconic London music venue where a 'wonder pool' is buried under concrete beneath
The dry tank and original wave machinery remain beneath the arena floor after the pool was converted into a multiuse events venue.
- The OVO Arena Wembley, a landmark in London's cultural landscape, sits directly above a sealed 1930s swimming pool where the dry tank and pioneering wave machinery remain hidden beneath today's concert venue.
- Designed by engineer Sir Owen Williams, the Art Deco building opened in 1934 as the Empire Pool, dubbed the "world's wonder pool" and attracting up to 5,000 visitors daily to enjoy its wave-making capabilities.
- The venue hosted swimming and boxing events during the 1948 London Olympics, then evolved into a multi-purpose arena with ice pantomimes, basketball exhibitions by the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Horse of the Year Show.
- Iconic acts including The Beatles, Queen, ABBA, and Led Zeppelin performed at the venue before a permanent floor was installed in 1974, sealing the pool beneath concrete to prioritize large-scale music events.
- The elegant building received Grade II listed status in 1976 and was renamed Wembley Arena in 1978, continuing to serve as a pioneer in multi-functional indoor events spaces while maintaining its historic legacy.
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Leaning Left0Leaning Right0Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Center
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