The iconic KOKO theater wants to continue inspiring us through his relentless passion for music , artists, interior design, gastronomy, and, of course, for the sense of belonging to this club of London that has it all.
K.O.K.O. Theater erected in the 19th century - and dedicated to the British actress Ellen Terry — witnessed the first stage appearance of Charles Chaplin in 1909, became a broadcasting center, was the site where Rolling Stones recorded 'Live At Camden Theatre' in 1964, and, at the same time, where figures such as Prince, Amy Winehouse, kanye-west, Coldplay, madonna Y Dua Lipa in the last decades.
KOKO reopens its doors in London.
The actual creative director and CEO of KOKO London, Olly Bengough , joined the project in 2004. “Between 2005 and 2019 we were very fortunate to host 150 shows per year. Still, in 2015 I stopped to think what we could do next, what would be the next chapter, what would be good for the story and to enrich the experience in order to take it as far as possible, ”he says. Olly Bengough in an interview with Condé Nast Traveler.
Undertaking its leitmotiv with 120 years of history, Olly Bengough found two buildings in the back of the theater , and after meeting with the architect Archer Humphryes , he began a stage of transformation and restoration in close collaboration with English Heritage , the global content company SISTER and the study Pirajean Lees.
An investment of 82 million euros and seven years of hard work materialized the vision of his creative director: "redefine the live music and entertainment , with a mission to support and empower the next generation of musicians.”
So the reopening of KOKO involves a local live music state-of-the-art, with built-in streaming capability throughout the venue.
The House of KOKO reopens its doors in London.
The new KOKO combines three historic buildings: the original victorian theatre, Grade II listed (1900), and two adjacent buildings –an old piano factory (1800) and the old Hope & Anchor bar (1860), a favorite of Charles Dickens–.
There was also the inauguration of the new "Tower of the Fly" and the gallery (the large space above the stage), which was a surprise discovery during the three-year construction process.
Beside English Heritage have worked to maximize and care for this new area, where artists will have the opportunity to perform on a more intimate 360º stage, while fans experience what the theater in the early 1900s.
In addition, thanks to new broadcast, recording and live streaming capabilities built into the fabric of the theater , and its four-storey extension, the musicians will have access to a physical space and formidable multimedia installations. Which will allow them to not only perform live, but also co-produce, broadcast and distribute their music to a global audience with the newly created KOKO-Studio.
Café KOKO is open to the public.
The Koko's experience returns with a new store with artist collaborations, a night pizzeria and a bar that will host intimate live performances.
The House of KOKO , on the other hand, constitutes a members-only offer, and those who pay the membership will be able to access the four new floors.
What is hidden there? A rooftop, a conservatory, a dome cocktail bar , an attic and recording studio, a piano room, a library, a hidden speakeasy, a stage kitchen, and vinyl rooms.
Pirajean Lees , In collaboration with Olly Bengough , have designed the more than 1850 square meters of additional spaces, among which are The House of KOKO , the koko coffee ground floor and KOKO's new DJ shop/space.
Pirajean Lees and Olly Bengough designed the new spaces for 'The House of KOKO'.
“Olly's instructions were very simple but equally ambitious; his vision was to create an aesthetic set to redefine music and entertainment, which gave us the opportunity to design something completely unique and unseen before, anywhere,” they state. Clemence Pirajean and James Lees , founders of Pirajean Lees.
True to its historical style of Camden , the renovations pay homage to the rich history of the Victorian theater and how it would have traditionally lived and breathed. “ We wanted the design to honor KOKO's eclectic past. , with artists of the stature of Charles Chaplin , the Rolling Stones Y Grace Jones , and allowing the space to create its own stories for years to come.”
Between an atmosphere that allows guests to feel that they inhabit the traditional backstage rooms of a theater, Olly Bengough and Katie Heller (art curator) have become the architects of the private art collection of K.O.K.O. , with pieces by Sahara Longe, David Shrigley, France-Lise McGurn, Hannah Quinlan, Rosie Hastings, and, photographs by Derek Rigers, arranged on the corners of the club.
The House of KOKO, in London.
What artists they will disembark in K.O.K.O. during the next few weeks? Zak Abel, DJ Seinfeld, hania rani Y Amaarae are just some of those who will have the opportunity to raise the proposal of this mythical theater, which has already opened its doors in London.