Maida Vale Studios in West London is one of London’s oldest recording studios. belong British Broadcasting Corporation For nearly 80 years, the complex has been home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra and has hosted recording sessions for pop and rock royalty.
The BBC announced its closure in 2020, but in 2023 a group led by renowned composer Hans Zimmer bought the complex in hopes of restoring the studios to their former glory.
Preliminary plans for the £10m studio refurbishment have now been shared by the group including Zimmer.lion king, Interstellar), as well as his business manager Steven Kofsky, as well as film producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, according to reports British Broadcasting Corporation.
MVS Partnership LLP have outlined their plans to improve their studio structure, as well as three new “state-of-the-art” writing and composition studios, on a dedicated website.
As consultation on the work begins, the group proposes a “renovation-first approach using sustainable design to improve energy efficiency”. The group cited the carbon emissions of demolishing the building and proposed retaining much of the existing structure to “minimize” the impact.
The group has yet to submit a formal planning application to Westminster City Council. You can read the full consultation here.
Since 1946, the complex has been a regular feature on BBC radio and has been featured on Radio 1, 2, 3 and BBC One.
In 1967 it became the venue for the Peel Sessions, hosted by BBC Radio DJ John Peel and hosting iconic performances by The Smiths, David Bowie, Dusty Springfield and Fleetwood Mac.
After news of the 2023 acquisition broke, Zimmer said the goal was to “make Maida Vale Studios a place that inspires, imparts knowledge, serves art and humanity with technology, and provides the next generation with the same opportunities that I had: to create and never give up on creation. The online consultation will last until October 11.
