Uncovering Creativity at the V&A East Storehouse

A fascinating addition to Stratford's cultural offering, the V&A East Storehouse is opening soon at East Bank the UK’s newest cultural quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It's the first of two new V&A sites in the area, with the inauguration of the V&A East Museum set to follow in spring 2026.

In this blog, we're delving into the immersive experiences on offer at the V&A East Storehouse, a museum unlike any other.

Housing over 250,000 objects, 350,000 library books and 1,000 archives, the V&A East Storehouse is a warehouse-style space offering a unique museum experience. It will open up the V&A's collections to the public for the first time, providing unprecedented access behind the scenes of a working museum.

Designed by world-renowned architects Diller Scofidio+Renfro with support from UK-based architects Austin-Smith:Lord, the Storehouse has taken over a large section of the former London 2012 Olympics Media Centre. The space spans 16,000 square metres over four levels, making it possible to see artefacts of all shapes and sizes under one roof, from pins used to secure a 17th-century ruff to The Kaufmann Office room designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The V&A East Storehouse will offer a host of intriguing experiences. You can delve into 5000 years of creativity, from architecture and ceramics to music and haute couture. If there's something specific that you'd like to see, you can use the 'Order an Object' service; you can book in advance to see an artefact up close, and an experienced handler will be available to help you.

The Storehouse will also host pop-up displays and creative workshops, offering various ways for visitors to interact with the collections.

David Bowie was a creative chameleon and one of the world's most beloved and celebrated artists. His legacy lives on at the V&A East Storehouse, which will be home to the David Bowie Centre, featuring over 80,000 items tracing his creative process and cultural impact as a bona fide innovator. Split into three zones, including audio-visual installations, atmospheric displays and a media booth, the centre will showcase everything from costumes and photographs to hand-written lyrics, offering an intimate look at his life's work.

The David Bowie Centre at the V&A East Storehouse is due to open on 13th September 2025.

The Study Centre will provide four multi-use spaces within the Storehouse dedicated to specific aspects of art and design. Alongside the David Bowie Centre, it will include The Clothworkers' Centre for the Study and Conservation of Textiles and Fashion, and The National Video Archive of Performance (NVAP). The fourth space will provide access to the Archives of Art and Design, the Theatre and Performance Archive, and the Young V&A Archive.

The V&A East Storehouse opens on 31^st May 2025. Admission will be free, but exhibitions may carry an entry charge.

The arrival of this exciting museum experience is just one of the many reasons why East London is the place to be in 2025. To explore opportunities for locating your business or organisation in this thriving area, discover our available spaces at The Turing Building, a landmark destination approved for education and workspace use and featuring world-class amenities.