Maida Vale Studios

Maida Vale Studios is a group of seven recording spaces along Delaware Road, offering different sizes and technical setups for a range of production needs. The largest room can accommodate a full orchestra with around 150 musicians, while smaller rooms are designed for chamber music, spoken content, and experimental projects.

The building opened in 1909 as a roller skating venue for public entertainment, then later served as a cinema before falling into disuse. In 1934, the BBC acquired the property and transformed its large open spaces into sound-insulated studio rooms for broadcast recordings.

The studios became a gathering point for musicians performing live radio sessions, creating a tradition where bands played directly to microphones while small audiences watched from adjacent spaces. This practice turned the building into a place where alternative and independent artists could reach listeners across the country through intimate performances recorded in controlled acoustic environments.

The complex sits in a residential neighborhood north of Regent's Canal, recognizable from the outside by its historic facade with curved architectural details. Visitors generally cannot enter the site as it remains an active production facility, though occasional tours or public events may be offered.

Between 1958 and 1998, a specialized department operated laboratories here to develop electronic sound effects, including the signature noises for science fiction television series. This pioneering work later influenced modern music production and led to techniques now used in studio recordings worldwide.

Location: City of Westminster

GPS coordinates: 51.52580,-0.19040

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:01