SUPPLY AND DEMAND: The launch of a new City venue
Dexter House is this year’s example of etc.venues delivering on its promise of significant national expansion over the next five years and becomes the company’s seventh venue. Located near Tower Hill in a very central position, it certainly has a unique atmosphere from the outside in – starting with the views of the Tower of London as you approach it and extending into the beautiful, peaceful, grass courtyard that it sits beside. More importantly from an events standpoint, the recent £2 million refurbishment has created a fresh, vibrant, modern interior, looking more like a boutique hotel than London venue. It is also very well equipped from an events facilities perspective, combining functionality with adaptability and efficiency. Stewart is certainly delighted with the results.
“The quality and location of this venue, coupled with a high refit specification and cutting edge range of facilities, provide the perfect platform to take the etc.venues brand to the next level in terms of delivery,” he says. “It will also allow us to widen our client base as Dexter House is ideally set up to service the City’s insurance and banking communities.”
Many of those who attended the launch share his enthusiasm, with a lot of positive feedback coming from frequently highly critical events associations.
“Dexter House is a really strong venue and underlines a lot about what etc.venues is doing in this market,” says Paul Cook, president of the MPI’s UK Chapter. “It looks good, it’s got an open, spacious feel, and most importantly, it’s conducive to hosting productive meetings.”
Visit London’s Peter Spring is equally impressed, saying: “It's great to see a meetings venue show its capabilities for producing brilliant events. Dexter House boasts quality training and events space and is an excellent example of the exciting developments taking place in the Eastside of London.”
Events organisers and corporate marketers will no doubt be closely watching what etc.venues does next.
Facilities at a glance
Here’s a rundown of Dexter House’s specifications:
– 22,500 square feet (2,090 square metres) of flexible space
– 11 meeting rooms (the largest being 2,170 square feet/202 square metres)
– Six syndicate rooms
– Can accommodate anything from 250 delegates theatre-style to 'think tank' areas for small groups
– Bold, exciting designs to refresh and stimulate thought, learning and enjoyment
– Flexible catering, featuring a contemporary buffet-style restaurant with 170 covers, café, and a ‘Grab and go’ self service counter for those who prefer to dine away from the restaurant areas – all overlooking the beautiful courtyard
– Executive private dining
– Various break-out spaces for delegates to think, meet, network or simply relax
– Situated in Royal Mint Court within a beautiful gated business community, offering views across to the Tower of London and grassed garden space
– Close to London Underground (Tower Hill) and DLR (Tower Gateway)
It seems that barely a week goes by without another venue opening, be it in the UK or abroad. Recently we reported on the Portland Spa’s launch and an invite came through in September from etc.venues about another opening, this time in the City of London. The new venue is Dexter House, and the interesting element of the launch is that it was in direct response to customer demand.
“etc.venues has built its reputation on its ability to adapt and respond to clients’ requirements,” says the venue company’s managing director Alastair Stewart. “Dexter House is the result of feedback from our clients looking for flexible space in London. We have taken this request so seriously that I guarantee there is no other venue with such an abundance of versatile and effective space on one floor anywhere in London.”
Brave words and bold assertions indeed, but having experienced the venue first hand and guaging from comments of others at the launch, Stewart just might be right.
