GL events provided premium temporary event infrastructure for the Longines Global Champions Tour, supporting organisers of the prestigious show-jumping contest on the occasion of its celebrated, three-day return to London.
After a year’s break, having partnered with GL events for its 2015 event in Syon Park, the 15-event, star-studded tour brought together Olympic, World and Continental show-jumping champions to compete in a new central London location, the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
With a temporary shopping village, VIP hospitality, media facility and public refreshment areas; as well as training, dining and back-of house facilities for riders, trainers and event organisers, GL events’ temporary structures and marquees transformed the venue, complementing and mirroring its heritage buildings and unique architectural features, designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
We created an expansive ‘stepped’ hospitality complex, that echoed the architecture of the Hospital buildings. This consisted of a 30 x 30m central structure, constructed on a 1.5m elevated scaffolding platform and featuring a 6m leg and incorporating an historic 12m war memorial obelisk erected within the Hospital grounds. This central pavilion featured a portico entrance and recessed staircase, and was flanked, on either side, by twin 20 x 25m structures, featuring curved roofs and 4m legs, each being connected to the main venue.
Inside this hospitality venue, three tiered levels were created, offering uninterrupted views for guests and diners. The structures were finished to an extremely high-specification, with glass and chrome hand rails; while the complex was completed by two 10 x 10m kitchens, constructed and interconnected on either side and incorporating 3m legs to complete the pavilion’s stepped effect.
Elsewhere, a double-decked structure created a comfortable top-floor suite and perfect views for the event’s judging team; while media operations were coordinated from the ground floor. A separate 10 x 25 structure was installed to create a press centre that accommodated global media correspondents. GL events installed a 25 x 50m, clearspan warm-up schooling arena for competitors, creating ample height for practice jumping, while the riders and grooms’ restaurant was a private, premium structure that featured a decked terrace and expansive glazed windows.
Within the grounds of the Hospital, to facilitate a memorable visitor experience, we supplied 30 individual trade and merchandising stalls, installing boutique, 5 x 5m garden pagodas. Two 10 x 20m truss stretch tents were installed on decking terraces to provide a covered seating area and public bar for spectators. GL managed the installation of all scaffolding throughout the event, as well as providing four camera towers, three giant video screens, interiors, fit-out and linings throughout this stylish event.
