HUGE GLASS GALLERY RISES UP IN THE GROUNDS OF BLENHEIM PALACE

Over 4,000 hours spent building the Automotive Gallery for Salon Privé 2025

With little over a week to go, Salon Privé has given guests a preview of this year’s spectacular centrepiece of the show – a stunning Automotive Gallery, made of 1,206panes of glass. The structure which stands at over seven metres tall and covers an area of 4,460 square metres has risen from the ground on the South Lawn of Blenheim Palace over the last three weeks. The awe-inspiring wrought-iron and glass atrium will house 44 cars and host up to 2,000 guests at any one time, during the five-day 20th Anniversary spectacular for the automotive show.

A build team of over 30 have spent more than 4,300 hours to erect the Gallery, which was first conceptualised two years ago. Andrew Bagley, co-founder and Concours Chairman of Salon Privé, explained: “We’ve used similar ornate gallery structures at Salon Privé since 2020, but only ever using 400 square metres. The expression ‘go big or go home’ sprang to mind when conceptualising the plans for our 20th Anniversary event, over two years ago. Quite simply, nothing like this has ever been done before at an outdoor automotive event, or Concours event, in the world. I’m sure it will become the platinum standard for any event organiser wishing to give their guests the ultimate VIP experience going forward. We even have our very own model of Le Grand Palais, our stunning central feature, housing new sponsor Qatar Executive.” 

“Assembling this H-structure, with five different major marquee component parts, on the lawns of Blenheim Palace, with a total run decline of 3.5 metres, has been a challenge of huge enormity to say the very least and it is incredible to now see our dream built.” 

The glass Gallery is carpeted throughout to create incredible private dining restaurants for event sponsors, Aviva Private Clients, Lockton Private Clients and Boodles. The two-tone carpet provides wide 4m central walkways, with huge ample viewing spaces for the 44 incredible supercars and hypercars presented from manufacturers, including Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Defender, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, McLaren, Pagani, Range Rover and more. And with the changeable Great British weather, the Automotive Gallery weather-proofs the 2025 event, should the heavens decide to open!

With Salon Privé now being a B Corp certified brand – the first automotive event in the world to earn this esteemed status – the choice of materials was given great thought, for how Salon Privé is presented in both 2025 and the future. Andrew said: “Obviously the lifespan of wrought iron and glass vastly outweighs the lifespan of normal marquee PVC, and the Gallery retains heat, unlike traditional PVC, where heaters are often required, which burn fuel and therefore add to CO2 emissions. Our choice of glass Gallery is therefore eminently more sustainable than PVC marquees. Elsewhere at the event, we have used bamboo structures, which are too considered extremely sustainable. Due to the rapid growth of bamboo, minimal water is needed, combined with the ability to regenerate without replanting, makes this an excellent sustainable choice.”

Salon Privé runs at Blenheim Palace next week, from Wednesday 27th – Sunday 31st August. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.salonpriveconcours.com