Remember the roar of the crowd and the dazzling lights? We’re standing on the grounds of what was once the Former Earls Court Exhibition Centre. This London landmark was more than just a venue. It was a stage for history.
The Former Earls Court Exhibition Centre stood proudly just west of central London. It straddled Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham. It was served by two Underground stations. One was specially adapted for show visitors.
Before 1887 this area was farmland. The arrival of railway companies turned it into waste ground. Entrepreneur John Robinson Whitley introduced entertainment to the area. He used the land as a showground for five years from 1887.
In 1935, the land was sold. New owners decided to build an exhibition center. It was meant to rival any other in the world. The goal was to dominate the Olympia exhibition hall nearby. They planned to create Europe’s largest structure by volume.
The project faced challenges. It ran over budget and was completed late. American architect C. Howard Crane designed the center. It had over 40000 square meters of space. The Former Earls Court Exhibition Centre finally opened on September 1 1937. The Chocolate and Confectionery Exhibition was its first event.
At the heart of Earls Court was an internal pool. It took four days to fill and four days to empty. Over two million gallons of water were needed. A 750-tonne retractable floor covered the pool when it was not in use.
In 1985, a second hall was planned. It was named Earls Court Two. It aimed to compete with the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Earls Court Two opened on October 17 1991. Diana Princess of Wales inaugurated it.
Falling attendances and a sale led to confidential demolition plans. These plans were approved in 2013. Demolition began in December 2014. The Former Earls Court Exhibition Centre closed on December 13. The final event was a concert by Bombay Bicycle Club.
The Former Earls Court Exhibition Centre hosted many events. These included the Motor Show and the Ideal Home Show. The BRIT Awards were also held here. From 1950 to 1999, it hosted the Royal Tournament.
During World War I, the grounds became a refugee camp. More than 100000 Belgian refugees stayed here.
The 1948 and 2012 Olympic Games used the venue. The 2010 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour also stopped here.
Many musical legends played at Earls Court. David Bowie Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd all performed here. In 1994, a section of seating collapsed during a Pink Floyd concert. Ninety people were injured.
The Brit Awards were held at Earls Court several times. Crufts Dog Show also took place here.
The Former Earls Court Exhibition Centre is now gone. It was demolished to make way for a new urban development. Though the building is no more its history remains. It lives on in the memories of those who visited. It echoes in the stories of London’s past. A vibrant chapter closed but never forgotten.