Unlocking potential
BBC Maida Vale Studios
BBC Maida Vale Studios
Giving new life to the historic BBC Maida Vale Studios in Westminster, London.
The infamous Grade II listed Maida Vale Studios on Delaware Road, once home to the BBC’s orchestra and recording studios, became available for transformation following their relocation to Stratford. This move created a unique opportunity to reimagine the historic recording facilities.
The infamous Grade II listed Maida Vale Studios on Delaware Road, once home to the BBC’s orchestra and recording studios, became available for transformation following their relocation to Stratford. This move created a unique opportunity to reimagine the historic recording facilities.
Our team was tasked with generating a series of comprehensive feasibility studies to explore refurbishment, repositioning, and redevelopment possibilities for this iconic site. The options generated carefully balanced viability, heritage impact, and planning risk, providing valuable insights for consideration, potential sale, and the selection of a new custodian to ensure an appropriate future of this landmark building.
Our research and studies illustrated options for alternative uses and redevelopment, indicating balances between public benefit and heritage significance for Maida Vale Studios. Our designs played a crucial role in re-imagining, exploring the possible, preserving and enhancing its heritage, and ensuring a sustainable future.
Initial design options included: film studios, gallery space, leisure facilities, private and affordable residential, commercial and affordable workspaces, educational uses, medical centres, and last mile logistics.
Originally built in 1909 as a Roller-Skating Palace and converted to studios in 1934, the BBC Maida Vale Studios are listed for their architectural and historic significance. Home of the BBC’s Symphony Orchestra and one of the very earliest recording studios in Britain, expressly designed to house the fast-developing technology of sound recording for radio broadcast. The original five-studio configuration, along with early fittings, are preserved. Over the years, the studios became synonymous with pop culture, hosting John Peel Sessions from 1967 to 2004 and recording notable artists such as The Smiths, Led Zeppelin, Nivana, Bob Marley, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, and the Beatles.