Empire Pool, Engineers Way, Brent, Wembley, London, 1934. A view from the south-west showing the front elevation of the Empire Pool. Designed by Sir Owen Williams for Arthur Elvin, the Empire Pool was built in 1934 for the British Empire Games. The building originally housed a swimming pool, although this was last in use in 1948. Subsequently the building was used for entertainment including music acts and comedy performances. In 1978 it was renamed Wembley Arena.