Millennium Dome

The Millennium Dome is the original name of the large dome-shaped structure on the Greenwich Peninsula in south-east London. It was created to house the Millennium Experience, a major public exhibition marking the beginning of the third millennium. Although the building opened on 31 December 1999 and the exhibition ran throughout 2000, the structure became one of the most politically controversial public projects of the era. It was promoted as a national showcase of British culture, science, technology, creativity and everyday life, but the project attracted persistent criticism over its cost, management, visitor forecasts and association with the Labour government of Tony Blair. The building was conceived under the Conservative government led by John Major, initially as a relatively modest festival or world's-fair-style event. After Labour took office in 1997, the scope and ambition expanded substantially. Construction began in June 1997, with the dome itself delivered in approximately 15 months. The project received major public support through a grant of about £399 million from the National Lottery Distribution Fund, alongside sponsorship and other income. BAE Systems was among the companies associated with sponsored exhibits. The New Millennium Experience Company managed the exhibition, which was divided into thematic zones addressing identity, work, learning, leisure, money, travel, community and the planet. Architecturally, the building is a highly recognisable circular canopy supported by twelve 100-metre yellow masts. Its 365-metre diameter referenced the days of a standard year, while the twelve towers were associated with the months and the hours of a clock, linking the project to Greenwich Mean Time. The roof uses PTFE-coated glass-fibre fabric panels over a cable-supported structure engineered by Buro Happold. Strictly speaking, it is not a dome in the structural sense: the dome-like roof is suspended from a ring of masts and cables. The central canopy rises approximately 52 metres and covers a vast internal exhibition area. The project also involved the remediation and redevelopment of heavily contaminated former industrial land on the peninsula. The Millennium Experience featured fourteen principal zones, a central performance space, a large-scale show with music by Peter Gabriel, films, educational installations, a coin-minting attraction, artworks and family activities. The exhibition was open from 1 January through 31 December 2000. Organisers had forecast approximately 12 million visitors, but attendance was about 6.5 million, leading much of the press to label the event a failure. Visitor surveys were more favourable than the headlines, and the exhibition was reportedly the UK's most visited paid attraction during 2000. Nevertheless, the shortfall against projections created financial and political difficulties, leading to management changes and repeated requests for additional support. The exhibition closed after 2000 and its contents were dismantled, sold, donated or relocated. Various plans were considered for the future of the building, including a football stadium, a business park and other forms of commercial redevelopment. In December 2001, Meridian Delta Ltd was selected to develop the site as a sports and entertainment destination. The redevelopment was backed by Philip Anschutz's Anschutz Entertainment Group. On 31 May 2005 the building was publicly renamed The O2 under a naming agreement with telecommunications company O2 plc. The transformed venue retained the exterior canopy but replaced most of the original exhibition interior with an entertainment district containing The O2 Arena, a music club, cinema, exhibition facilities, restaurants and bars. The former Millennium Dome therefore survives as the architectural shell and identity-bearing landmark of a much larger commercial complex.

The Millennium Dome emerged from a late twentieth-century British debate about how to mark the beginning of the third millennium. The initial proposal, developed under John Major's Conservative government, was conceived as a festival-style national showcase. After the Labour government came to power in 1997, Tony Blair's administration enlarged the project and gave it a more ambitious cultural and technological remit. The site chosen was the Greenwich Peninsula, an area with a long industrial history and extensive contamination from the former East Greenwich Gas Works, which operated from 1889 to 1985. Cleaning and reclaiming the peninsula was presented as an important urban-regeneration benefit in addition to the exhibition itself. Architect Richard Rogers designed the building, with structural engineering by Buro Happold and construction by the McAlpine/Laing Joint Venture. Work began in June 1997, and the principal dome structure was completed rapidly. The canopy's dimensions and mast arrangement gave the building a strong calendar and time symbolism: its circular plan is 365 metres across, it has twelve major support towers, and its central height is approximately 52 metres. The roof is made from weather-resistant PTFE-coated glass-fibre fabric. Earlier proposals involving PVC-coated polyester were abandoned after environmental objections, including campaigning by Greenpeace. The result was a technically distinctive cable-supported canopy rather than a conventional compression dome. The building opened privately on New Year's Eve 1999 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II before becoming publicly accessible on 1 January 2000. The Millennium Experience was divided into fourteen zones grouped under broad questions about who people are, what they do and where they live. Exhibits covered the body, faith, work, learning, leisure, money, travel, shared communities, domestic life and the global environment. The centre of the building hosted the Millennium Dome Show, a large theatrical production featuring music by Peter Gabriel and an acrobatic cast. Other attractions included a sponsored cinema, educational programmes, public art, a Royal Mint-related coin attraction and installations for children and families. The exhibition's financial and political difficulties became as prominent as its content. Forecasts assumed roughly 12 million visitors, but about 6.5 million attended. The discrepancy affected ticket income and prompted demands for further assistance from the Millennium Commission. The project was closely identified with New Labour, so its reception acquired a partisan dimension. Supporters regarded the building and exhibition as a bold statement of confidence and a catalyst for regenerating east London. Critics attacked its cost, management, design and perceived lack of a coherent national narrative. The press frequently described it as a failure, although reported visitor satisfaction was substantially more positive and the attraction was among the UK's most visited paid sites in 2000. After the exhibition closed on 31 December 2000, the original contents were removed. Some exhibits were auctioned, donated or transferred to other venues, while the shell remained available for redevelopment. Several possible futures were discussed, including a football stadium, a business park and other commercial or public uses. In December 2001, Meridian Delta Ltd was chosen to develop the site as a sports and entertainment centre and to develop the surrounding peninsula. The redevelopment was associated with Anschutz Entertainment Group and involved extensive redesign by HOK SVE and Buro Happold. The building was renamed The O2 in 2005 under a naming agreement with O2 plc. The redevelopment retained the distinctive external canopy but transformed the interior into a permanent entertainment destination. The O2 Arena became a major indoor venue for concerts, sporting events and other large-scale shows, while the wider complex added a music club, cinema, exhibition space, restaurants, bars and retail facilities. The former Millennium Dome thus changed from a temporary exhibition brand into a durable London venue identity. The structure has also hosted temporary events, winter attractions, music festivals and charitable activities. Despite the controversies of its original operation, its survival and reuse made it a significant example of large-scale urban regeneration and adaptive reuse.

1. 2022Storm damage to canopy

   Storm Eunice damaged six segments of the fabric canopy.

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2. 2005Renamed The O2

   The former Millennium Dome received the The O2 name as redevelopment into an entertainment complex progressed.

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3. 2003Winter Wonderland reopening

   The building reopened temporarily for a winter event featuring a funfair, ice rink and New Year's Eve entertainment.

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4. 2001Meridian Delta selected for redevelopment

   The government selected Meridian Delta Ltd to convert the site into a sports and entertainment destination.

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5. 2000Millennium Experience runs for the full calendar year

   The public exhibition operated from 1 January through 31 December 2000.

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6. 1999Dome structure completed and privately opened

   The dome was completed in approximately 15 months and received a private opening on 31 December 1999.

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7. 1997Construction begins

   Construction of the expanded Millennium Dome project began on the Greenwich Peninsula under the incoming Labour government.

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A nationally significant London landmark that transitioned from a one-year millennium exhibition into a permanent sports, music, leisure and entertainment destination.

• Millennium ExperiencePublic exhibition2000

  The principal attraction housed inside the building during 2000. It combined fourteen thematic zones, educational displays, art installations, films, family attractions and live performances. Its subjects ranged from personal identity and work to community, domestic life and the global environment. The exhibition was designed as a broad national showcase for the new millennium rather than as a conventional museum collection.

• Millennium Dome ShowLive performance2000

  A large central theatrical production created for the Millennium Experience, with music by Peter Gabriel and a cast incorporating acrobatic performers. It was performed 999 times during 2000 and was among the most prominent entertainment elements of the exhibition.

• The O2 ArenaIndoor arena2007

  The principal permanent venue created through the post-exhibition redevelopment. It occupies part of the former dome complex and hosts large concerts, sports events, entertainment productions and other ticketed gatherings. The arena is part of the broader O2 entertainment district rather than a feature of the original 2000 exhibition.

• The O2 entertainment districtEntertainment complex2007

  The permanent reuse of the former Millennium Dome site, combining the arena with music, cinema, exhibition, hospitality, dining and retail facilities. The redevelopment preserved the iconic outer canopy while replacing most of the original exhibition interior.

• 2004Crisis Christmas shelter

  United Kingdom

  Part of the dome was used by the charity Crisis as a Christmas shelter and support venue for homeless people and others in need.

  Outcome. Temporary charitable use during the redevelopment period.

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• 2003Winter Wonderland

  United Kingdom

  A temporary reopening programme used the dome for a winter fair, ice rink and seasonal attractions, concluding with a laser and fireworks display.

  Outcome. Provided a temporary post-exhibition use before the major redevelopment.

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• 2000Our Town Story

  United Kingdom

  A McDonald's-supported community and education programme invited local education authorities across the United Kingdom to create performances presenting their areas and residents inside the Millennium Experience.

  Outcome. Delivered as part of the 2000 exhibition programme.

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• 2005Adopt The O2 commercial identityStrategy

  The former exhibition venue required a new commercial identity as it was converted into a permanent entertainment destination.

  What changed. The site was publicly renamed The O2 under a naming agreement with O2 plc.

  Aftermath. The building became the shell of a major arena and leisure complex, while Millennium Dome remained its historical name.

  Reported annual naming-rights payment. £6 million per year (At the time of the 2005 naming announcement)

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• 2001Select a permanent entertainment redevelopmentStrategy

  After the exhibition closed, the government needed a durable use for the building and surrounding land.

  What changed. Meridian Delta Ltd was selected to develop a sports and entertainment centre with additional commercial and residential uses.

  Aftermath. The plan ultimately led to the creation of The O2 complex and its indoor arena.

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• 1997Expand the millennium project into a major national exhibitionStrategy

  The incoming Labour government inherited a smaller festival-style proposal and substantially increased its scale, ambition and funding.

  What changed. The government proceeded with a large dome, extensive exhibition programme and regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula.

  Aftermath. The enlarged project created a landmark and a major public attraction but also intensified cost, attendance and political controversies.

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• 2000Visitor forecast and cost controversyControversy

  The exhibition attracted about 6.5 million visitors, well below the roughly 12 million forecast by organisers. The resulting income shortfall, management changes and requests for additional public support led to sustained political and press criticism.

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• 2022Storm Eunice damages roof panels

  Six canopy segments were reported damaged during Storm Eunice on 18 February 2022.

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• 2005Site publicly renamed The O2

  The structure received the O2 name under a commercial naming agreement, anticipating its conversion into a permanent entertainment district.

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• 2001Government selects Meridian Delta for redevelopment

  Meridian Delta Ltd was selected to develop the closed exhibition site as a sports and entertainment centre with surrounding housing, retail and office uses.

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• 2000Millennium Experience opens to the public

  The Millennium Experience operated inside the dome throughout the year, presenting themed exhibition zones, performances, films and educational attractions.

  Product launch
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• 2000Management controversy follows exhibition opening

  Jennifer Page was removed as chief executive approximately one month after the opening, amid continuing criticism of the project's organisation and visitor forecasts.

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1. Millennium Dome