Abbey Road studios win preservation order

[WhiteTara]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61M3LW20100223

Reports last week that owners EMI were to sell the studios attracted worldwide interest and sparked fears the site might be converted into a residential development.

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge declared the iconic venue a Grade II listed building -- the second-highest category -- on the advice of national preservation body English Heritage.

In a statement she said the listing had been granted "overwhelmingly on the historic merit of the studios" and because of its "huge cultural importance."

The new status means that although changes to its interior can be made, any proposed alterations must respect the character and preservation of the site.

Abbey Road became synonymous with the Beatles who recorded almost all their albums and singles there between 1962 and 1970. Pink Floyd also used the studios for their late 1960s and mid-1970s albums.

more

I was really sad when I read that the studios were up for sale. This is good news for Beatles fans.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Yeah yeah yeah! nt

[jdlh8894]

2. This is good news for Beatles fans

But now the taxpayers in Great Britain will be paying for it instead of an individual or corp. Not to mention the upkeep and taxes.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. No, being listed doesn't mean the taxpayer pays for it

It means the owner can't make large alterations without permission. See http://www.heritage.co.uk/apavilions/glstb.html . If there's a financial need, a grant can be made, but basically the cost of upkeep still falls on the owner.

[jdlh8894]

5. In other words

EMI can't sell? And they would still be libel for the upkeep?

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. They could sell it, but the buyers would have the same obligations

to keep it in good repair, and to ask for permission before major alterations (which would, I'd expect, include changing the recording studios in a major way).

[Xithras]

9. Nope, it's still private, but can only be used as a studio.

Essentially the British government just gutted the market for the building. Previously, it was just a building, and a new owner could come in and do anything with it. If the location is good, that might mean housing, offices, or even pushing it over to build something new on the spot. Most likely, because it was originally built as a home, it would have been converted back into residences.

The preservation order simply means that the building must remain largely in its current form. It's a recording studio, and it must remain that way. That largely limits potential buyers to historical groups and other record companies or recording studios.

[14thColony]

11. The owners can change the use of the building

They just have to apply for permission and show that they're making reasonable changes inside to accomodate. I live in a defunct brewery that was converted to residential, even though it's not only all Grade II, but also in a historical conservation area. I think you're thinking more Grade I listed, which is waaaaaaaay more restrictive and is very much in line with what you've delineated here. Grade I listed would be a nightmare to own.

[14thColony]

10. My house is Grade II listed

trust me, I make all the payments and do all the upkeep. Grade II just means I can't change the appearance of the exterior, and I can't make substantial changes to the interior structure without permission. But I still pay for everything.

[FourScore]

4. It is "something" that they would "come together"

in an "octopus's garden" and ring "maxwell's silver hammer" about this preservation. "Here comes the sun"!!!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

7. Yehudi Menuhin was recording there when he was 16.

He played a concert when he was 16 where Albert Einstein came up to him and told him that Yehudi's beautiful violin playing made him believe in a god of some sort.

:D

[XOKCowboy]

8. There are still hundreds of people who go visit ARS every day...

I know I did. The white wall out front is covered with Beatle's lyrics and other sentiments written by fans. They repaint it every few weeks to provide a blank canvas. Oh and believe me the locals are not amused by people posing in that crosswalk for pictures.

I'm glad it'll be preserved.

[guitar man]

12. Cool!

It would have been a crime to tear it down, too much important history there :thumbsup: