Sadler’s Wells East has been hailed as a "hugely confident" new arts facility by RIBA.
Located in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and designed by architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, the east London venue was described by the RIBA judging panel as a "hugely confident new arts facility with a bold architectural design."
The panel praised the building for meeting "very exacting functional requirements" while also succeeding as "an icon here for local people."
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Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, artistic director and co-chief executive of Sadler’s Wells, said: "This is wonderful news and hugely deserved. "Sadler’s Wells East was a much-needed mid-scale space in the dance ecology and has enabled us to share the very best work from up and down the country and internationally with more people."
Since its February 2025 opening, Sadler’s Wells East has presented 50 productions in its auditorium.
More than 6,600 people have taken part in free activity, workshops or lunchtime dance classes on The Dance Floor. Several productions have also been developed in-house, including the Black British Theatre Award-winning Our Mighty Groove.
YFX Festival returns next week for its second year, convening over 480 performers aged 5-25 from 33 different youth dance companies from across the country.
Britannia Morton, executive director and co-chief executive of Sadler’s Wells, said: "We are over the moon that our marvellous building Sadler’s Wells East has been recognised by RIBA for its architectural excellence."
The venue is the first public building to open as part of the East Bank cultural district, which also includes the BBC Music Studios and the V&A East Museum.
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