Stanhope has received a resolution to grant planning permission from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham for its plans to open up and transform Television Centre into a mixed use development.
This will include office and studio space for the BBC, entertainment and leisure facilities, public open space, offices, housing and a boutique hotel. For the first time, Television Centre will be opened up to the public with the famous forecourt remodelled and enlivened by continuing studio activities and new public uses, together with pedestrian access through the site providing connectivity with the local area, including Hammersmith Park.
The BBC will remain at Television Centre operating three studios through its commercial subsidiary, BBC Studios and Post Production and BBC Worldwide will consolidate their new home at Television Centre, following refurbishment.
The remaining space will be aimed at occupiers in the creative sector providing new employment opportunities and a media business hub as well as approximately 1,000 new homes. There will also be a variety of public uses, including a cinema, gym, restaurants and cafes, and an enhanced experience for visitors and studio audiences.
David Camp, chief executive of Stanhope Plc, said:
“This is a major milestone in the evolution of Television Centre. We look forward to getting on with creating a vibrant quarter of London at Television Centre with an exciting mix of retail, leisure, office and residential uses, including the famous BBC Studios and BBC Worldwide’s new headquarters. Television Centre will be a great place to live, work and visit.”
Dominic Coles, BBC Director of Operations, said:
“The sale of Television Centre was a key part of the transformation of the BBC’s property portfolio which continues to save millions of pounds for licence fee payers every year. The decision last night is an important step in the regeneration of this iconic building and the BBC will continue working with Stanhope as the project develops.'
In total there will be approximately 1,000 new residential units and townhouses, including affordable housing and car parking. The ‘Drama Block’, ‘Restaurant Block’, ‘East Tower’ and Multi Storey Car Park on Wood Lane will be replaced with new residential buildings and townhouses and a ‘Village Green’ of town houses for families with private rear gardens will be created.
The BBC has leased back the site until 2015 to undertake decommissioning works and BBC Worldwide and BBC Studios and Post Production will be returning to Television Centre in refurbished accommodation from April 2015 on long occupational leases. The remainder of the site will be vacated by the BBC and handed back to Stanhope in March 2015. Enabling and infrastructure works are expected to commence in summer 2014 with demolition and early building work due to start in 2015.
Source: Stanhopeplc.com 20. December 2013