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BBC TV Centre Listing?

(June 2008)

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PE
Pete Founding member
Quote:
Listed status bid for BBC centre
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44789000/jpg/_44789587_tvcentre226.jpg

BBC Television Centre should be listed as a grade II building because of its special architectural and cultural significance, English Heritage says.

The conservation body wants the West London site added to the statutory list of significant buildings.

The Blue Peter garden and the main studios are among parts which have contributed to the "iconic presence" of Television Centre, it said.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has to consent to the request.

Television Centre was opened on 29 June 1960, as the BBC's first purpose-built centre for television production.

English Heritage's heritage protection director Peter Beacham said: "This building is not just architecturally important.

"As one of the first purpose-built television studios in the world, it represents the moment when Britain led Europe into the television age.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44789000/jpg/_44789520_-12.jpg
The Blue Peter garden could be included in the listed areas

"The BBC itself is an important part of our British identity and Television Centre has acquired an iconic presence."

English Heritage is requesting listed status for Television Centre's scenery workshop, its canteen block adjoining the Blue Peter garden, and the central circular building.

English Heritage says it will ensure that listing Television Centre does not affect the BBC's ability to adapt it to changing technology or new uses.

A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC is happy to discuss with English Heritage any proposal it has and we will comment to the secretary of state on the historic and architectural merit of Television Centre in due course.

"The BBC has announced that it does not intend to occupy the whole of Television Centre after 2012 but any reference to detailed development plans for the building and site is premature.

"We recognise the historical importance of the building and will be looking for a solution that best preserves the interests of the BBC and licence fee payer but there are no firm plans currently on the table."
PA
paul_hadley
Hear hear.

Cool
JO
Johnny83
Hope it does get listed, it is rather a unique design, so what if it's a bit ugly, we need something different from all these glass, plus the White City development isn't exactly a stunning building either
TO
Tom0
I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if it was given listed status, and when the sale eventually goes through I wouldn't be surprised again to see the studio close and more than likely turned into luxury apartments like everything else does Laughing . If that happened I would expect just because of its history the prices would be very high.
PA
paul_hadley
I could buy an apartment in TV Centre? Surprised Cool Wink
PA
Paul02
lateshowuk posted:
I could buy an apartment in TV Centre? Surprised Cool Wink


There's plenty of space there now- you could move in and no one would notice.
BB
BBCWalesToday
I hope it gets listed too.
Theres a petition on the No.10's website somewhere.
And a facebook group.
DB
dbl
Sorry if this is OT, but I was on Facebook and came across this:
http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v143/132/23/682950683/n682950683_400189_8692.jpg
TVC before the extensions were added, what a difference.
BB
BBCWalesToday
Woah that looks so much smaller
IS
Inspector Sands
Yes, when it originally opened there was only studios 1-7. The plan was always to continue the building along where it was eventually extended with more studios to form the question mark shape:

In the end only studio 8 was built and the first bit of the straight bit of the question mark, the 'spur' became the new home of TV news.

Lots more pics (including TV Centre as t was gradually extended) and historical detail here: http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/tv%20centre%20history.htm
BL
Blob
I don't think that TV Centre is ugly at all, like everyone is saying at the moment. Yes it could do with a bit of a clean and care, but IMO it's a very handsome, unique and iconic building.
JO
Joe
Blob posted:
I don't think that TV Centre is ugly at all, like everyone is saying at the moment. Yes it could do with a bit of a clean and care, but IMO it's a very handsome, unique and iconic building.

I agree with you, I don't understand why people think it looks bad. I do think it's quite nice.

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