Hans Zimmer Joins Group to Acquire BBC’s Maida Vale Studios for £10.5 Million

Hans Zimmer is part of a consortium that has purchased BBC’s iconic Maida Vale Studios for a reported sum of £10.5 million.

The acquisition of the renowned west London studios was confirmed by the BBC, revealing that Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, co-chairs of Working Title—a British film studio under Comcast’s Universal Pictures—along with acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer and his business partner Steven Kofsky, are the driving forces behind this purchase. The group’s collective intention is to honor Maida Vale’s storied legacy by retaining its status as recording studios, preserving the building’s facade, and embarking on a “multi-million pound refurbishment” project. Their overarching goal is to transform the space into a not-for-profit educational hub, contributing to the local community by generating employment opportunities.

While the BBC did not disclose the exact transaction value, NME reported that the property was listed for £10.5 million in December 2022.

In a press statement, Zimmer reflected on Maida Vale’s significance: “This was a place of revolutionary science in the service of art, this was a place that inspired you to give your best, where music was performed around the clock and art was taken seriously…This was the place that kept a struggling musician like me from giving up.”

Zimmer also shared his personal journey, connecting his work with Working Title to his Hollywood career and partnership with Steve Kofsky. He expressed his aspiration to “close the circle” by transforming Maida Vale Studios into a space that not only serves the arts and humanity through technological advancements but also inspires and educates future generations.

BBC had closed Maida Vale Studios in 2018 with plans to relocate to facilities in east London’s Olympic Park after redevelopment in 2022, which was later delayed to 2025. The decision to close the iconic site was considered in 2007 due to its perceived incompatibility with modern requirements.

Having originally opened as a roller-skating rink in 1909, Maida Vale Studios evolved into the residence of the BBC Symphony Orchestra during the 1930s and famously housed the groundbreaking BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Throughout its rich history, the studios witnessed remarkable performances from artists such as The Beatles, David Bowie, Jeff Mills, Richie Hawtin, Led Zeppelin, Jay-Z, Radiohead, Little Mix, and The Fall. In May 2020, Maida Vale Studios received Grade II Listed status, providing protection against redevelopment.