Smithsonian in talks to anchor London’s Olympicopolis
The Smithsonian Institute is in discussions with a view to opening its first location outside the US. The 40,000sq ft (3,700sq m) Smithsonian gallery would be part of the Olympicopolis educational and cultural quarter being developed at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London.
In September 2014, London mayor, Boris Johnson, launched a design competition for the new £400m (US$650m, €503m) educational and cultural quarter and nearly 1,000 design and architecture firms registered their interest.
Several high profile names, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, Sadler’s Wells and University of the Arts, London are already involved in the project and £33m (US$50m,€44m) in private contributions have been raised for the proposed Smithsonian, which would anchor the Olympicopolis development when it opens in 2021.
The Smithsonian currently has a total of 19 museums in Washington and New York City, the National Zoo (also in Washington) and nine research facilities around the world. @smithsonian @noordinarypark