Maida Vale Studios

This scheme aims to comprehensively refurbish the world-famous Grade II Listed Maida Vale Studios. The studios have been used to record thousands of classical music, popular music and drama sessions since the BBC converted the building in 1934. In 2023 the studios were sold to a partnership of Working Title’s Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner with the legendary composer Hans Zimmer and Steven Kofsky, who plan to create an outstanding venue for creative work. The proposed scheme aims to seamlessly blend the artistic legacy of this illustrious recording studio with the rapidly changing demands of today’s creative industries. To provide a globally significant facility that combines state-of-the-art music studios, with all elements of film post-production under one roof. The proposals sit within the existing building area, retaining and enhancing the Edwardian frame and frontage whilst upgrading the existing recording studios to deliver cutting edge facilities. The retrofit first approach focuses on using sustainable solutions retaining the existing building fabric and upgrading this to improve energy efficiency and minimise carbon emissions. The renovation has been designed to preserve the building’s heritage, revealing historic layers while retaining and improving the exterior, with sensitive enhancements to the main and southern entrances. Unsympathetic modern additions will be removed, such as the external plant tower which detracts from the exterior of the building and the corrugated metal roof which is to be replaced with a new high-performance standing seam roof. Work on the interior will preserve historic elements while providing new, upgraded facilities. The public realm adjacent to the Studios will be reconfigured to provide a more welcoming arrival, with the footway outside of the entrances being widened to facilitate this with new landscaping and visitor cycle parking. In addition to retaining all existing trees new planting will be introduced to improve the immediate area, creating a pleasant, attractive external environment. The refurbishment will respect the studios residential neighbours aiming to enhance the local area with minimal impact on residents. The scheme is also supporting talent and artistry within the North Paddington Creative Enterprise Zone. Maida Vale Studios was originally built as a Roller-Skating Palace in 1909, designed by the then noted architects Detmar and Greg. It was converted into a recording studio after being bought by the BBC in 1934.