Prime time studio flats to be built at iconic TV Centre

The iconic BBC Television Centre in London’s Shepherds Bush is to undergo a £200m major conversion into a mixed use development. As well as a hotel, residential apartments and offices will be built, although areas will also be retained by the Corporation for TV production and commercial activities.

One of the iconic sites of the building, the forecourt, will be opened up as a public space. However, the truly iconic site, the main circular construction dubbed ‘the doughnut’, will be converted into a hotel and luxury apartments.

Stanhope will develop the entire site, with its chief executive David Camp saying:

“The BBC will continue to have a significant presence at Television Centre and we will be bringing new life into the site with new public routes, spaces and uses.”

A number of the other buildings will also be converted into residential homes, with others converting into offices. Many of these will be the location of commercial enterprise BBC Worldwide.

The famous Studio 1, which been the setting for hit shows such as Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who and Strictly Come Dancing, will be refitted for future use. Studios 2 and 3 will also receive a refit.

With a unique design, it will be a challenging development for Stanhope and all suppliers, concrete flooring contractors and engineers involved in the project.

In its entirety, the 1960s-built TV Centre quickly achieved treasured status, both within the BBC and the nation. Designed to look like a question mark with its layout, it was first proposed the site be sold in 2007.