The future of Maida Vale Studios
MVS Partnership LLP are delighted to present a public consultation on proposals for the renovation and reimagining of Maida Vale Studios.
Following a long history with the BBC, the building was sold in 2023 to a partnership of film industry greats, presenting a valuable opportunity for renewed investment in Maida Vale Studios to equip the building for the 21st century.
Our vision is to seamlessly blend the legacy of this iconic recording studio with the fast-evolving demands of today’s creative industries, providing state-of-the-art music studios, film production and editing facilities which set new benchmarks in film and music post-production. We recognise that the building is located in a residential area, and the sensitive scheme design by local architect Stiff + Trevillion looks to enhance neighbouring amenity wherever possible.
Ahead of submitting a planning application to Westminster City Council, we want to hear your feedback to shape the development of our plans, and understand how we can work with local partners to promote education and heritage across Maida Vale. On this website, you will find information on our vision for the site, and how you can participate in our public consultation.
Our partnership
In 2023, the BBC sold Maida Vale Studios to a partnership of film industry greats, including Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, two of the world’s leading film producers, and business partners Hans Zimmer and Steven Kofsky, the global leaders in orchestral film and television production.
Tim Bevan
Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are two of the UK’s leading Film Producers, through their company Working Title, they have produced renowned movies for the past four decades - over 125 titles, $8.5 billion at the worldwide box office, 43 BAFTA Award and 14 Academy Award wins. From My Beautiful Launderette in 1985 to Matilda in 2022 they have produced at least two British movies every year, among which are titles at the heart of recent British cinematic culture from many leading filmmakers.
Unique amongst British Producers they have had a business term deal with a Hollywood studio, Universal, for over twenty years bringing inward investment and consistent employment to UK based studios.
Unique amongst British Producers they have had a business term deal with a Hollywood studio, Universal, for over twenty years bringing inward investment and consistent employment to UK based studios.
Eric Fellner
Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are two of the UK’s leading Film Producers, through their company Working Title, they have produced renowned movies for the past four decades - over 125 titles, $8.5 billion at the worldwide box office, 43 BAFTA Award and 14 Academy Award wins. From My Beautiful Launderette in 1985 to Matilda in 2022 they have produced at least two British movies every year, among which are titles at the heart of recent British cinematic culture from many leading filmmakers.
Unique amongst British Producers they have had a business term deal with a Hollywood studio, Universal, for over twenty years bringing inward investment and consistent employment to UK based studios.
Unique amongst British Producers they have had a business term deal with a Hollywood studio, Universal, for over twenty years bringing inward investment and consistent employment to UK based studios.
Hans Zimmer
Through the founding and ownership of RCI Global, 14th Street Music, Bleeding Fingers Music, and 14th Street Grille, Hans and Steve are business partners, operators, producers and are the global leaders in the production of orchestral film & television scores, providing opportunities for musicians, writers and engineers across the world. Hans Zimmer has worked with the BBC on numerous projects, including Frozen Planet. Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Seven Worlds One Planet, and Going for Gold.
Hans Zimmer has also scored more than 200 projects across all mediums, which, combined, have grossed more than 28 billion, and has been honoured with two Academy Awards.
Hans Zimmer has also scored more than 200 projects across all mediums, which, combined, have grossed more than 28 billion, and has been honoured with two Academy Awards.
Steve Kofsky
Through the founding and ownership of RCI Global, 14th Street Music, Bleeding Fingers Music, and 14th Street Grille, Hans and Steve are business partners, operators, producers and are the global leaders in the production of orchestral film & television scores, providing opportunities for musicians, writers and engineers across the world. Hans Zimmer has worked with the BBC on numerous projects, including Frozen Planet. Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Seven Worlds One Planet, and Going for Gold.
Hans Zimmer has also scored more than 200 projects across all mediums, which, combined, have grossed more than 28 billion, and has been honoured with two Academy Awards.
Hans Zimmer has also scored more than 200 projects across all mediums, which, combined, have grossed more than 28 billion, and has been honoured with two Academy Awards.
The history of Maida Vale Studios
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.
As one of the earliest recording studios to be established in Britain, it has since been home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and was the centre of BBC News operations during the Second World War.
After the war, Maida Vale Studios became synonymous with pop culture. The John Peel Sessions were recorded in the studios for Radio 1 from 1967 to 2004, and artists who have recorded music within its walls include The Smiths, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Bob Marley, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Dusty Springfield and The Beatles – to name just a few.
Our proposals represent an opportunity to continue this historic legacy in the 21st century, reinforcing Maida Vale Studios as a centre of excellence in Britain’s cultural life.
The Site
Maida Vale Studios is located at 120-129 Delaware Road within the Maida Vale ward of the City of Westminster. It sits to the west of Paddington Station and Little Venice and is a short walk from the Maida Vale and Warwick Avenue underground stations.
The building is Grade II listed owing to its distinctive Edwardian facade and unique place in British musical history. It houses a number of recording studios which are in need of renewed investment to meet contemporary industry standards.
Our proposals, designed by local architect Stiff + Trevillion, will sit within the existing building area, retaining and enhancing the Edwardian frame and frontage whilst upgrading the existing recording studios to deliver state of the art music studios, film production and editing facilities which meet the demands of today’s creative industries. The BBC is vacating the building as it is no longer fit for purpose, and the existing studios are in need of significant investment in order to continue to function into the future.
Our vision
The retrofit-first refurbishment will retain much of the existing building fabric whilst setting new benchmarks for excellence in British film and music post-production, fostering the creation of new jobs, driving innovation, and promoting industry investment.
Adding a new layer to the building’s history and retaining its legacy for the future
Providing world-class music studios fit for the 21st century
Creating state-of-the-art film editing facilities and creative workspace
A retrofit-first approach with sustainable design to improve energy efficiency
Supporting talent and artistry within the North Paddington Creative Enterprise Zone
A neighbourly approach which protects residential amenity
Enhancing the historic building
The renovation has been designed to preserve and enhance the building’s heritage elements, revealing the historic layers of the Maida Vale Studios.
Our proposals will retain and enhance the historic exterior, with sensitive enhancements to the main and southern entrances.
We will also remove unsympathetic modern additions, such as the external plant tower which detracts from the exterior of the building, and replace the corrugated-metal roof with a new high performance roof.
We are also proposing to introduce new planting and seating areas promote biodiversity and improve the public realm, creating a pleasant, attractive external environment. Our interior works will preserve historic elements while providing new, upgraded facilities.
Northern entrance – existing and proposed view
Southern entrance – existing and proposed view
Creating world-class music and film production facilities
Our proposals will create three state-of-the-art music studios, with additional composer suites and music rooms. The renovated studios will provide circa 42,000 sqft of creative workspace within the existing building, with flexible and adaptable technology.
The ‘audio wing’ of the building – which houses the three largest studio spaces (MV1, MV2 and MV3) will feature composer suites, music rooms, control rooms and workspace alongside amenities and food and beverage facilities for staff and visitors.
The large space at the southern end of the building will include a range of high-tech facilities including ADR (Dialogue Replacement Dubbing), Dubbing Stages (Sound Stages), Foley Studio (Sound Effects), a screening room, editing suites, colour grading and flexible workspaces.
The proposed studio will be one of the only such facilities in the world and the first in the UK, creating a venue of national importance to UK creative industries. This proposed upgrades will set new benchmarks for excellence in British film and music post-production, fostering the creation of new jobs, driving innovation, and promoting industry investment. The project will also act as a catalyst for the recently designated North Paddington Creative Enterprise Zone, supporting the creative potential of the area and driving sustainable growth.
A retrofit-first first approach
Our proposals will take a sustainable, retrofit-first approach, refurbishing the building and retaining much of its existing fabric to minimise the carbon emissions associated with demolition.
The design will improve the fabric and energy efficiency of the existing building, especially through the new high-performance roof which will maximise light and ventilation.
The renovated studios will be fully electric and will utilise energy-efficient lighting and services, and we are exploring the opportunity to generate our own renewable energy on the site through the use of photovoltaic valves.
Protecting neighbouring amenity
The proposals will sit largely within the area of the existing building, with very limited additional height or massing, which is all confined to the replacement of the northern plant rooms to be more in keeping with the form of the building. Unsightly elements such as the plant tower to the north of the site will be removed.
The retrofit-first approach will minimise the disruption associated with demolition, and all works will be subject to the specifications of a draft construction management plan which will be submitted alongside the application. If the application is approved, final details prepared by the appointed contractor will be required by planning conditions which would need to be submitted for approval in consultation with the community.
We intend to be long-term partners of the area, and will operate the renovated studios in a considerate and neighbourly manner. Noise will be controlled through acoustic protections to the studios, and plans will be in place for efficient deliveries and servicing.
The refurbishment will also create a dedicated, covered servicing yard to rationalise servicing and deliveries, and the on-site canteen will reduce takeaway vehicle traffic. The proposals will also retain all existing trees, and will deliver improvements to Delaware Road without reducing existing on-site carpaking spaces.
We have already held initial conversations with our immediate neighbours to introduce the proposals and understand local priorities for the site. We will continue to engage with and gather feedback from the local community throughout the public consultation, application period and beyond.
A commitment to local patnership
We want to work with local organisations to ensure our project creates new opportunities for the next generation in Maida Vale.
As part of our vision for the site, we would like to promote education and heritage in the local area. We are especially keen to hear how we can work with local partners/groups to help benefit the community in Maida Vale. Fill in our consultation survey below to offer your suggestions.
Have your say
Find out how you can have your say below. Come along to one of our drop-in public exhibitions or complete our online survey to have your say.
Public Exhibition 01
Date: Tuesday 1st October
Time: 2:30pm-6:45pm
Location: The Amadeus Centre, 50 Shirland Road, W9 2JA
Time: 2:30pm-6:45pm
Location: The Amadeus Centre, 50 Shirland Road, W9 2JA
Public Exhibition 02
Date: Wednesday 2nd October
Time: 3pm-7pm
Location: The Amadeus Centre, 50 Shirland Road, W9 2JA
Time: 3pm-7pm
Location: The Amadeus Centre, 50 Shirland Road, W9 2JA
Online Survey
Please click the button below to access our consultation survey and have your say on our proposals. The consultation survey will close on 11th October.
Contact us
As part of our
commitment to early community engagement, we want to hear your feedback on our proposal. Have your say
below