The Olympic Park Legacy Company has unveiled images of the shortlisted designs for London's newest public space.

The centrepiece will be a major public space that will welcome crowds to the south of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after the Games. Sitting between the Aquatics Centre, the Stadium, the ArcelorMittal Orbit and the 2012 Gardens, this space will have a visitor centre, water features, imaginative play facilities and host a range of diverse festivals and performances.

The Legacy Company launched a competition in July this year with five teams then shortlisted to develop a design concept, which will be judged by an expert panel with a winning design announced in December.

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Public exhibitions are being held to showcase the shortlisted designs, which were selected from more than 100 entries from across Europe, Asia and North America. The remit was to create a distinctive area that will bring together a vibrant mix of cultural events, beautiful spaces and recreational uses.

A separate competition is being held to design an area which will be set within the north of the Park. This will include one of London’s best playgrounds and a visitor centre with a café and seating terrace, along with large indoor space for community use. Five design concepts were revealed last week.

Andrew Altman, Chief Executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company, said: "With millions of people expected to visit the Park each year, this will be London’s newest and most exciting public space, welcoming the world to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

"The Olympic Park Legacy Company is mobilising plans at pace for the development of the Olympic Park after the 2012 Games. Plans are more advanced than any previous host Olympic City to deliver an exciting mix of new homes, jobs, leisure and business opportunities."

(CD)