The historic Maida Vale Studios: the new owners have a vision to equip it for the 21st century

MAIDA Vale Studios is set to be refurbished with backing from new owners including Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

The former BBC site was originally built as a roller-skating palace in 1909 and converted into a recording studio in 1934 after being bought by the corporation. Artists who have recorded within its walls include The Beatles, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Dusty Springfield.

Last year the site was sold to a partnership of film and music greats, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Steven Kofsky and Zimmer.

And now plans have been revealed for the vision of the music studio’s future, renovating the building to better equip it for the 21st century. Ahead of submitting plans to Westminster City Council, MVS Partnership LLP have created an online consultation which states the group aim is to take a retrofit approach, with a sustainable design to improve energy efficiency.

The consultation website states: “Our vision is to seamlessly blend the legacy of this iconic recording studio with the fast-evolving demands of today’s creative industries… 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. Our proposals… will sit within the existing building area, retaining and enhancing the Edwardian frame and frontage while 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.”

The proposals state that the planned new studio will be the first of its kind in the country, creating a venue of national importance to UK creative industries.

There will be an audio wing, featuring composer suites and music rooms as well as high-tech facility rooms for sound editors and colour graders. The public consultation will run until October 11.

Maida Vale ward’s Cllr Geoff Barraclough told the Extra: “I’m delighted that the long history of Maida Vale Studios will continue under new ownership. I’m particularly pleased Hans Zimmer and his team will be working closely with Westminster Council’s new North Paddington Creative Enterprise Zone to give local young talent the chance to work in this wonderful new facility.

“As with any planning application, there will be plenty of details to examine before the scheme is approved and we will want to ensure that residents don’t suffer during the building works.”