Hans Zimmer has acquired the historic BBC studios in Maida Vale.
The BBC has sold its historic location to a partnership including Hans Zimmer – the Oscar-winning German composer of films such as The Lion King and Dune – and producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
The recording space in north-west London, which the BBC has owned and operated since the 1930s, has hosted thousands of concerts by artists including the Beatles, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Dusty Springfield, Beyoncé and Adele .
It also hosted the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, where the Doctor Who theme was recorded.
The Maida Vale studios went up for sale last year for the equivalent of $13.3 million, but the final purchase price was not disclosed by the BBC.
Hans Zimmer spoke about his debut at Maida Vale 45 years ago.
“I still remember the strong pull, the desire to touch the walls, as if it somehow allowed me to connect with the artists whose extraordinary music resonated against those walls daily,” said the composer, via The Guardian.
“It was a place where groundbreaking science served art, a place that inspired you to perform at your best, where music was played 24 hours a day, and art was taken seriously. . For the people, by the people”.
Hans Zimmer and his co-owners have expressed their intention to maintain the Maida Vale studios as a recording space. A multi-million pound plan has been drawn up for the renovation, which would also include a non-profit education facility.
The BBC is expected to move operations currently at Maida Vale to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London in 2025.