Everything you need to know about V&A East Storehouse
- Where: Parkes Street, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, London, E20 3AX
- Opening times: The V&A East Storehouse is open daily from 10am to 6pm, and from 10am to 10pm on Thursday and Saturday.
- Admission: V&A East Storehouse is free to visit and you do not need to book in advance. Some special exhibitions and events will carry a separate charge.
- Getting there: The closest stations are Hackney Wick Overground (eight-minute walk) and Stratford station (20-minute walk). The 338 bus route stops outside Here East with the Here East bus shuttle running from Stratford stations Monday to Friday, every 10 minutes from 6.30am to 9pm.
Tucked away in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the V&A East Storehouse is a bold new addition to London’s cultural landscape – and an experience that invites you to step behind the curtain of one of the world’s most famous museums.
Ahead of its official opening on Saturday 31 May, we were invited for a sneak peek and met the team bringing this ambitious new chapter to life.
What is the V&A East Storehouse?
Part museum, part working warehouse, the Storehouse offers a radical new way to explore the V&A’s vast collection, from a 15th-century Spanish ceiling to Elton John’s glittering tour costumes. Think: the Hogwarts Room of Requirement meets an interactive archive – a place where history, culture and curiosity collide.
Once the broadcast hub for the London 2012 Olympics, the building has been reimagined into what Deputy Director and COO, V&A, Tim Reeve calls “a theatre of wonder and artistry”. This new outpost continues Prince Albert’s founding vision for the V&A as a “great treasury” but one that’s now open and hands-on, to encourage a new generation to engage with its offerings.
From architecture to the archives, the Storehouse is all about inclusion and creativity. Designed to inspire the artists and designers of today and tomorrow. Speaking with Chief Curator Brendan Cormier, we got an insight into what makes the museum so special and so different.
With a collection so diverse, it's hard to know which story to tell, but that’s the whole point Brendan tells us. There is no single story being told, instead displays are flexible and responsive, changing over time with three starting themes: the classic sourcebook, a collection of stories, and the inner workings of a museum.
When asked what objects might most resonate with east Londoners, Brendan reflects on the area’s contrast: “You’ve got one of the largest creative sectors in the city, but also those in places like Carpenter Road who’ve lived here for generations. It’s a heterogeneous place and this museum reflects that.”
Already the Order an Object system, which lets visitors request close-up view of items, is showing what draws people in. With one particular Balenciaga dress being requested multiple times (no surprise, given how close the Storehouse is to the London College of Fashion).
And if he could take one object home? “Probably some mid-20th-century furniture” he tells us, a certain pair of plywood lounge chairs currently on display which visitors can sit on.
Brendan also believes visitors will be surprised by the sheer scale of work happening behind the scenes and the fact that the Storehouse offers a rare chance to see that in action. Especially via the Conservation Overlook, where visitors can watch restoration and preservation at work on the balcony or through the live feed.
The collection: a cabinet of curiosities come to life
Where else in London could you encounter puppets, chandeliers, biscuit tins and motorbikes all under one roof?
The V&A Storehouse leans into its eclecticism. Architect and designer, Elizabeth Diller of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, describes the space as “cinematic and unfolding” where visitors can ascend tunnel stairs into the heart of the building where “artefacts are cheek to jowl, ceiling to wall”. Here they have tried to “produce the sense of sublime”, where the vast collection becomes a treasure hunt of sorts.
Here, you’re not guided by labels. Instead, you’re encouraged to follow your curiosity, creating your own path through the shelves. The open layout, flexible displays and ‘Order an Object’ feature all reinforce the museum’s goal to make cultural spaces feel like they belong to everyone.
Navigating the space
The Storehouse spans three floors, and members of the Front of House team are dotted throughout to help you navigate what can feel like a maze of objects.
Unsure of where to start, team member Ollie points us to one of their favourite spots. In a quieter corner of the museum’s second floor, you can see a spectacular 10x10 Picasso theatre front cloth. A bold piece with a fascinating story to match, much like all the items found here.
“Wander the shelves and see what piques your interest” they say. “I’d then suggest picking an item and then really go on a deep dive – that’s the best way to see the collection.”
Exploring further with Senior Curator, Georgia Haseldine, we’re told of the museum’s deliberate move to provide contrast. Encountering displays which hold seemingly unrelated objects side by side.
We discover costumers from the V&A’s performing arts archive right next to materials from the museum’s internal LGBTQ+ working group – the first of its kind in any institution. Nearby there's a rare suffragette scarf placed beside a 1990s Hackney Pride T-shirt.
The Storehouse is a museum that listens to the public. The Robin Hood Gardens project is year-long programme which involved 12 local residents who shaped the stories they wanted to tell. The results include short films, publications, and creative outputs that reflect local memory and experience. The idea is that the collection is somewhat community-led, a living space that grows and evolves shaped by those who use it.
How can I request to see an object at the V&A East Storehouse?
Every display features a unique QR code that links to the museum’s lookup system. Scan these to find more information on an object online. To observe or even handle objects, visitors will need to book an appointment (from one to four hours) in advance.
The museum has already seen a variety of interests – from people looking for wedding dress inspiration to industry experts seeking a deeper dive on specific objects in their field.
During our visit, we get a glimpse at a gold Versace handbag before Kate Parsons, Director of Collections, Care and Access, “lifts the lid” on a sparkling jacket worn by Elton John. “This is the gasp moment”, she says, the big reveal when someone finally gets that up-close moment.
When you’re in the Study Room the team step back to let visitors enjoy the experience. That said, they’re always on hand to help, especially with the more fragile or even hazardous items. And they’ve got all the tools needed to properly examine craftsmanship in detail.
Whether you’re an art lover, fashion student, east London local or just curious, the V&A East Storehouse is one of the most exciting free museum experiences in London right now.
This isn’t just a space to observe; it’s a space to interact, reflect, and to belong. With a 100-year lease, what happens next is in the hands of its curators, creatives and local communities, and the possibilities are genuinely exciting.
Visit the V&A East Storehouse this weekend, from Saturday 31 May, to see history and culture unfold in real time.
What else is there to do nearby?
Located near the Olympic Park, V&A East Storehouse is just a short walk from Stratford where you can find the many restaurants and bars as well as the epic ABBA Voyage.
It’s also just a stone's throw from Hackney Wick’s eclectic food market, canal-side walks on sunny days and independent breweries.