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The Millennium Dome, now called the O2 Arena
Author: Baldboris99 (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
The Millennium Dome, which has since been renamed The O2 Arena, is a large tent-like building located on Greenwich peninsula in south-east London, England. It was built as part of an exhibition to celebrate the coming of the third millennium. The exhibition ran from 1 January 2000 until 31 December 2000. Although from the public's perspective, it was a big success, it was mired in political controversy, as it failed to attract the number of visitors anticipated, resulting in financial loss.
The dome is served by North Greenwich tube station on the Jubilee Line. The Thames Clipper fast catamaran also ply between it and central London. In addition there is a bus station providing bus services to south and east London.
The O2 Arena
Author: Baldboris99 (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
The Millennium Dome is the largest domed structure in the world. It is held up by twelve 100-metre tall support poles. The poles represent either the 12 months of the year or the 12 hours on the clock's face. Both are to emphasize the role played by Greenwich as the keeper of time. From above, the dome looks circular. It is 365 metres in diametre, again symbolically representing one day for each metre. The Millennium Dome is one of the most recognisable landmarks in London, as well as the most photographed.
The Millennium Dome was designed by Richard Rogers and built by the firm of Sir Robert McAlpine. The structural engineer was Buro Happold. The entire roof structure weighs less than the air contained within it. The canopy is made of glass fibre fabric which is a highly durable and weather resistant plastic.
The land on which the Millennium Dome is located used to be a derelict from gasworks industries from the late 19th century. It was redeveloped under a project called the Thames Gateway. The Dome was originally conceived at a much smaller scale under John Major's government. However the incoming Labour government of Tony Blair greatly expanded its magnitude. It as to represent "a glittering New Labour achievement", to quote BBC correspondent Robert Orchard.
The Millennium Dome at dusk
Author: Christine Matthews (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
However, even before it opened, critics were already forecasting its failure. That prediction was accurate. In retrospect, the Millennium Dome was regarded as a flop, something badly thought out, badly executed and at the end of it, saddling the government with the question of what to do with it when the celebration was done. Nevertheless, visitors loved it. Although failing to attract the numbers expected, it was the most popular tourist attraction in Britain in 2000, followed by London Eye and Alton Towers.
The Millennium Dome was officially renamed The O2 on 31 May 2005. In its new incarnation, it is an Entertainment District housing an indoor arena, a music club, a cinema, an exhibition space, bars and restaurants.
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