The O2, home to a great number of entertainment and leisure providers, including the world’s busiest music venue, The O2 Arena, is one of London’s most remarkable state-of-the-art venues. The arena is host to a multitude of internationally acclaimed music acts, comedians and sports events every year and as a result the Anschutz Entertainment Group, operator of The O2, faced a growing demand from corporate clients and businesses looking for new ways to entertain and engage their clients and staff. In response AEG recently re-launched their VIP membership and unveiled a new VIP lounge in cooperation with American Express.

VIP guests not only get the best seats in the house, but a full VIP experience, including a dedicated account manager and entry to the American Express Invites Lounge which features a world-class kitchen, a cocktail bar, main bar, mezzanine seating areas, booths that can be privately booked, a dance floor and a performance area.

To create a unique space offering a backstage-like experience in the lounge, Brighton-based interior design firm Platform Group was enlisted together with Refurbishment Specialist Overbury. Inside Out were selected by Overbury after previously succesfully working on O2 projects together and were asked to manufacture unique bespoke banquette seating for all floors of the multi-level seating areas.

The seating was traditionally manufactured to the client’s exact specifications at Inside Out's London workshop using FSC certified beech wood for the frames. For the upholstery luxury fabric brands were selected, such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Camira. Each fabric was carefully selected to match the décor inspired by The O2’s iconic musical performances and 1960’s design. The bold colours and patterns are the perfect complement to the bare metalwork and herringbone wooden flooring. To accommodate different visitors’ needs, the seating was designed to create open seating units as well as booths that offer a little more privacy.

However, no matter where you are seated in the American Express Invites Lounge, you are bound to experience an unforgettable night out, full of entertainment and extravagance.