BBC Broadcasting House

Fitzrovia W1A
E
Commercial building

Key Details

Address
Portland Place, London W1A 1AA
Local Area
Fitzrovia
County
Greater London
Country
England
Completion
2013
Use Classes
E
Website

Overview

Broadcasting House, the BBC headquarters building on Portland Place, is located just off Regent Street across the road from The Langham Hotel, in Fitzrovia, London W1.

It is the first-ever purpose-built broadcast centre in the UK. Initially built in 1932 for the BBC, eight years after the corporation first came into existence.

The redevelopment of Broadcasting House was completed in 2013. For the first time all the BBC's national and international radio, television and online journalism, including those of the World Service, are housed under one roof.

The new Broadcasting House is also the headquarters of BBC Radio and Music.

The redevelopment was carried out in two phases. Phase one comprised the refurbishment of the original 1932 Grade II* listed Broadcasting House, which continues to be the home of national radio; and the construction of the new East Wing, now home to the BBC's Arabic and Persian television services and BBC London. It was completed in 2005 and officially opened by The Queen in April 2006.

Phase two is the addition of a brand new extension to provide a spacious and modern broadcast centre with state-of-the-art technology for all BBC journalism.

New Public Spaces

A range of new public spaces were created at the heart of the new complex, opening up the building and creating a dialogue between audiences/visitors and BBC staff.

In the central space between Broadcasting House and the new East wing is a wide-open piazza large enough to be used as an open-air theatre, where, for instance, events could be staged under the BBC Introducing banner. Or else it could be simply a place to linger and relax in - away from the bustle of nearby Oxford Street. It complements the formal performance space of the Radio Theatre within Broadcasting House itself.

In addition, there is a new public walkway running through the centre of the site, which provides a foyer for the Radio Theatre, and which opens onto a café/bar where the public and BBC staff can mix. Along the length of the walkway and bar is a glass-fronted window which provides a unique view into the BBC Newsroom.

The News Hub

At the heart of the building is the newsroom, a column-free space, surrounded by technical areas and day-lit by the eight-storey high atria above. About twice the size of the largest floor available in Television Centre, this is one of the largest live newsrooms in the world.

At any one time, over ten million people across the UK are watching or listening to output from the new Broadcasting House, and every week at least 150 million people worldwide will tune into the BBC World Service networks.

From Heritage to Hi-Definition

Top architects, designers and artists were involved in shaping the new Broadcasting House, in order to create a truly inspiring workplace for the organisation that aims to be the most creative in the world. Throughout 2011, the BBC's technology team was installing and testing the digital technology needed to produce the TV, radio and online output from the new building.

Independently funded

The new development was financed by a public-private partnership involving a special bond - so no licence fee monies were used for the construction.

Project team

Architect: MacCormac Jamieson Prichard (Phase I)/Sheppard Robson (Phase II)
Construction: Bovis Lend Lease
Management: Land Securities Development
Fit-Out: Overbury
Interior design: HOK

The nearest underground station is Oxford Circus - 6 minutes by foot.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Site & Location

The main entrance to the BBC headquarters building is just off Regent Street behind All Souls Langham Place church. Neighbouring buildings include The Langham hotel, 9-10 Portland Place, 24 Portland Place, 99 Great Portland Street and 1-3 Riding House Street.

Team

Company
Type
Year
Main Contractor
Architect
Architect
Fit Out Contractor
- 2013

Timeline

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Disclaimer

Information on this page is for guidance only and remains subject to change. Buildington does not sell or let this property. For more information about this property please register your interest on the original website or get in touch with the Connected Companies.