# O2 Centre

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Shopping and entertainment centre in London

For other uses, see [The O2](/source/The_O2) and [O2 (disambiguation)](/source/O2_(disambiguation)).

O2 Centre Top to bottom: East and front side of the O2 Centre. Location 255 Finchley Road, London Coordinates 51°32′53″N 0°10′54″W / 51.5480°N 0.1816°W / 51.5480; -0.1816 Opened 1998; 28 years ago (1998) Owner Landsec Architect HOK International Parking 518 cars Website o2centre.co.uk

The **O2 Centre** is an indoor shopping and entertainment centre located on [Finchley Road](/source/Finchley_Road) in north-west [London](/source/London), near [Hampstead](/source/Hampstead), England.

Designed by [HOK International](/source/HOK_(firm)) and opened in 1998,[1] it is now owned by [Landsec](/source/Landsec).[2] Despite the same name and originally very similar logo, it is no relation to the [O2 telecommunications brand](/source/O2_(United_Kingdom)), which was launched four years later.[3] The name was chosen as reference to the spacious feel of the building, as O2 is the [chemical formula](/source/Chemical_formula) for [dioxygen](/source/Dioxygen).

## History

The pre-development O2 Centre site with the modern boundary marked in red (1957)

The same site in a 1946 [RAF](/source/RAF) [aerial photo](/source/Aerial_photo)

### Development

The opening of the centre in 1998 came after many years of the site remaining derelict. In the early 1990s, the buildings along [Finchley Road](/source/Finchley_Road) were demolished in preparation for the centre, but problems with planning permission, with concerns over traffic in particular, led to construction being delayed by many years.[4] A great deal of consultation took place with local residents, including asking them to vote from a choice of 3 designs for the exterior of the building, relating to different kinds of periodic elements – and asking them to suggest a name.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The O2 Centre opened with London's largest branch of [Sainsbury's](/source/Sainsbury's) at the time,[5] and a [Warner Village](/source/Warner_Village_Cinemas) cinema (now [Vue](/source/Vue_International)). *[The Observer](/source/The_Observer)* reported in 1999 that, at the time, the building was "quiet" and that "people don't seem to know it's there".[6]

The centre was originally developed by the [Burford Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Burford_Group&action=edit&redlink=1) and [Capital & Regional](/source/Capital_%26_Regional)'s [X-Leisure](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=X-Leisure&action=edit&redlink=1) fund,[1] who had joint ownership. In 2004, X-Leisure bought out Burford's share for £25 million (about £42 million in 2024).[7][8][*[better source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Questionable_sources)*] X-Leisure itself was bought out by [Landsec](/source/Landsec) in 2013,[9] but not before it had sold off the O2 Centre to property partnership Matterhorn Capital in 2009 for £92.5 million (about £135 million in 2024).[10][11] One year later, Landsec bought back the O2 Centre from Matterhorn for £126 million (about £181 million in 2024).[12]

The original £15m budget for the build was exceeded in early 1997, causing a temporary delay in the build until additional capital investors could be found.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

The centre contains a Sainsbury's, [Aldi](/source/Aldi), [Vue Cinema](/source/Vue_International), [Virgin Active](/source/Virgin_Active), [Waterstones](/source/Waterstones), as well as a [Nandos](/source/Nandos).[13]

### Proposed closure

In November 2020, following the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_United_Kingdom), [Landsec](/source/Landsec) announced it intended to sell over £4bn of assets in the next four to five years.[14] In December 2020, Landsec announced it would be closing the O2 Centre, which would be demolished for 1,800 new homes to be built, with some retail included, in the future. In March 2023, the first phase of the redevelopment plans were approved by the [Camden London Borough Council](/source/Camden_London_Borough_Council)'s [local planning authority](/source/Planning_permission_in_the_United_Kingdom).[15][16][17]

## Transport

The closest [London Underground](/source/London_Underground) station to the centre is [Finchley Road](/source/Finchley_Road_tube_station), 100 yards south. [Finchley Road & Frognal station](/source/Finchley_Road_%26_Frognal_railway_station) served by the [London Overground](/source/North_London_Line) is a short walk away while [West Hampstead Thameslink railway station](/source/West_Hampstead_Thameslink_railway_station), [West Hampstead railway station](/source/West_Hampstead_railway_station) and [West Hampstead tube station](/source/West_Hampstead_tube_station) are also in close proximity, accessed by walking along B510 [West End Lane](/source/West_End_Lane), to Blackburn Road to connect to a pedestrian and cycle path to the car park, next to the Homebase.

There are several bus and coach routes that stop right outside the O2 Centre including [13](/source/London_Buses_route_13), [113](/source/London_Buses_route_113), [187](/source/London_Buses_route_187) and [268](/source/London_Buses_route_268). Also close by on West End Lane are [C11](/source/London_Buses_route_C11), [31](/source/London_Buses_route_31), [46](/source/London_Buses_route_46), [139](/source/London_Buses_route_139), [328](/source/London_Buses_route_328) and 603 bus stops. Local night buses are [N113](/source/London_Buses_route_N113).

The redevelopment plans include a proposal to add a new entrance from the site to the Finchley Road tube station, potentially including making the station fully accessible.[16]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RaifordBuildings_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RaifordBuildings_1-1) Raiford, Regina (October 1999). ["Take a breather"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/210233139). *Buildings*. **93** (10). Nashville: [Endeavor Business Media](/source/Endeavor_Business_Media): 62-66. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1537672](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1537672). [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [210233139](https://www.proquest.com/docview/210233139).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["LandSec confims purchase of O2 Centre"](https://www.egi.co.uk/news/landsec-confims-purchase-of-o2-centre/). *[Estates Gazette](/source/Estates_Gazette)*. 12 April 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["BT denies conflict in O2 name"](https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/bt-denies-conflict-o2-name/14454?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social). *[Campaign](/source/Campaign_(magazine))*. 4 September 2001. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240821050219/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/bt-denies-conflict-o2-name/14454) from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Land to the rear of 241-279 Finchley Road, NW3 – 9501238R2"](https://planningrecords.camden.gov.uk/Northgate/Redirection/redirect.aspx?linkid=EXDC&PARAM0=42326). *Planning Portal*. [Camden London Borough Council](/source/Camden_London_Borough_Council). 1996. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240807143123/https://planningrecords.camden.gov.uk/Northgate/Redirection/redirect.aspx?linkid=EXDC&PARAM0=42326) from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Webster, Sue (13 December 1998). ["Restaurants: Table talk"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/250354995). *[The Observer](/source/The_Observer)*. p. 38. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [250354995](https://www.proquest.com/docview/250354995). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240821050219/https://www.proquest.com/docview/250354995) from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Lane, Harriet (24 January 1999). ["Fancy a film tonight?"](https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/jan/24/harrietlane). *The Observer*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240821050346/https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/jan/24/harrietlane) from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["X-Leisure buys rest of O2 mall"](https://www.retail-week.com/x-leisure-buys-rest-of-o2-mall/1713541.article). *Retail Week*. 6 August 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240807143124/https://www.retail-week.com/x-leisure-buys-rest-of-o2-mall/1713541.article) from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["X-Leisure takes sole ownership of O2 Centre"](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/news/X-Leisure-takes-sole-ownership-of-02-Centre/8624). *Leisure Opportunities*. 29 July 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240807143124/https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/news/X-Leisure-takes-sole-ownership-of-02-Centre/8624) from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Monaghan, Angela (19 September 2013). ["Property company Land Securities takes 95% control of X-Leisure"](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/sep/19/land-securities-xleisure-xscape-indoor-ski-slopes). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240821050220/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/sep/19/land-securities-xleisure-xscape-indoor-ski-slopes) from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["London Mixed-Use Property Acquired"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/197796678). *Real Estate Finance and Investment*. London. 13 April 2009. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1529-6644](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1529-6644). [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [197796678](https://www.proquest.com/docview/197796678). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240807143127/https://www.proquest.com/docview/197796678) from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["O2 centre bought by local millionaire 'boys'"](https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/21391775.02-centre-bought-local-millionaire-boys/). *Ham & High*. 12 March 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240807143125/https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/21391775.02-centre-bought-local-millionaire-boys/) from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["LandSec buys O2 Centre"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/224175179). *EuroProperty*. Sutton. News: in brief. 19 April 2010. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0961-9712](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0961-9712). [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [224175179](https://www.proquest.com/docview/224175179). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240807143128/https://www.proquest.com/docview/224175179) from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Shops at The O2 Centre"](https://o2centre.co.uk/shops). *O2 Centre*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231021111542/https://o2centre.co.uk/shops) from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Kollewe-10Nov2020_14-0)** Kollewe, Julia (10 November 2020). ["Land Securities writes almost £1bn off property portfolio"](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/10/land-securities-property-portfolio-dividend-piccadilly-bluewater-half-year-pre-tax-loss). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240821050221/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/10/land-securities-property-portfolio-dividend-piccadilly-bluewater-half-year-pre-tax-loss) from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["The O2 shopping centre faces demolition"](https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/the-o2-centre-faces-demolition). *[Camden New Journal](/source/Camden_New_Journal)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220124015422/https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/the-o2-centre-faces-demolition) from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Masterplan_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Masterplan_16-1) ["The O2 Masterplan – 2022/0528/P"](https://planningrecords.camden.gov.uk/NECSWS/Redirection/redirect.aspx?linkid=EXDC&PARAM0=582950). *Planning Portal*. [Camden London Borough Council](/source/Camden_London_Borough_Council).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["First phase of 02 Centre development approved after marathon planning meeting"](https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/first-phase-of-02-centre-development-approved-despite-fierce-objections-in-marathon-council-meeting). *Camden New Journal*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231021111542/https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/first-phase-of-02-centre-development-approved-despite-fierce-objections-in-marathon-council-meeting) from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.o2centre.co.uk/)

- [Original planning application](https://planningrecords.camden.gov.uk/NECSWS/Redirection/redirect.aspx?linkid=EXDC&PARAM0=582950) at [London Borough of Camden](/source/London_Borough_of_Camden)

v t e Landsec Shopping centres Bluewater (Greenhithe) (30%) Buchanan Galleries (Glasgow) Lewisham Shopping (Lewisham) O2 Centre (Camden) One New Change (City of London) Priory Square (Birmingham) ShopStop (Clapham Junction) (50% with Delancey) Southside (Wandsworth) (50% with Delancey) St David's (Cardiff) (50% with Intu) Trinity Leeds (Leeds) West 12 (Shepherd's Bush) Westgate (Oxford) White Rose Centre (Leeds) Outlet centres Gunwharf Quays (Portsmouth) The Galleria (Hatfield) Retail parks Lakeside (West Thurrock) Team Valley (Gateshead) Westwood Cross (Thanet) Leisure Bentley Bridge (Wolverhampton) Brighton Marina (Brighton) (commercial operations only) Cardigan Fields (Leeds) Lockmeadow (Maidstone) Parrs Wood (Manchester) Riverside (Norwich) The Cornerhouse (Nottingham) The Printworks (Manchester) Tower Park (Poole) West India Quay (Canary Wharf, Poplar) Xscape Milton Keynes (Milton Keynes) Xscape Yorkshire (Castleford) Developments 20 Fenchurch Street (City of London) Cardinal Place (Westminster) Nova (Westminster) (50% with CPP Investments) Oriana (West End) (50% with Frogmore) Piccadilly Lights (Piccadilly Circus) Portland House (Westminster)

v t e Shopping centres in London Inner London Angel Central Brunswick Centre Burlington Arcade Canary Wharf Shopping Centre Cardinal Place Hammersmith Broadway Kensington Arcade Kingsland Shopping Centre Lewisham Shopping Centre Livat Hammersmith O2 Centre One New Change Piccadilly Arcade Putney Exchange Royal Exchange Southside Wandsworth Surrey Quays Shopping Centre Victoria Place Shopping Centre West 12 Westfield London Whiteleys Outer London 17&Central Bentall Centre Blenheim Centre Brent Cross The Brewery The Broadwalk Centre Broadway Shopping Centre Centrale The Centre, Feltham Centre Court Shopping The Chimes Ealing Broadway Centre Eden Walk Edmonton Green Shopping Centre Erith Riverside Shopping Centre Exchange Ilford The Glades Heathway Shopping Centre The Liberty London Designer Outlet The Mall (Bromley) The Mall Wood Green The Mercury Mall Palace Gardens (including Palace Exchange) The Pavilions St. Anns St. George's Saint Nicholas Centre The Spires Barnet Stratford Centre Treaty Centre Vicarage Field Westfield Stratford City Whitgift Centre Defunct shopping centres Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre Oriental City Park Place Major retail parks Friern Barnet Retail Park Gallions Reach Shopping Park Greenwich Shopping Park Lombardy Shopping Park Nugent Shopping Park Tottenham Hale Retail Park Valley Retail and Leisure Park Westway Cross Retail Park

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [O2 Centre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O2_Centre) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O2_Centre?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.