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from 2025 – new facilities due to open in 2027
Fairbanks Studios is the new name for the site previously known as the BBC Elstree Centre since 1984. Between 1958 and 1983 it had been ATV’s studios in London (they converted the film stages to TV studios in 1960/61. The facility had in fact begun as film studios back in 1914, when it was owned by Neptune Films. Ideal Films used the studios from 1917 to 1928, when Ludwig Blattner took them over. In 1935 they were bought by Joe Rock – who gave his name to the studios. Then in 1939 they were purchased by British National Films and in 1952 Douglas Fairbanks Junior took over and renamed them National Studios. The BBC named the distinctive art deco production block ‘Fairbanks’ as a nod to the previous owner. All this is covered in much more detail on the ‘Elstree – ATV & BBC‘ page in the ‘ITV Studios in London’ section.
image thanks to Google Maps
For a while there had been rumours that the BBC were considering selling the site as part of their strategy to rid themselves of property. Half of the site was occupied by EastEnders with the other half mostly consisting of two large TV studios, a smaller one, the 1930s production block, the canteen & BBC Club building and a 1960s office block, which had been used by Holby City – that show was axed in 2022. The two main TV studios, C and D, were a very useful resource – one was used by EastEnders and the other, unique in having a permanent studio audience area, was often booked by comedy and entertainment shows.
During 2024 the news was officially released concerning the BBC’s sale of the site to AXA IM Alts. (They are a ‘global leader in alternatives investments’.) They agreed to lease back to the BBC the half of the site used by EastEnders for 25 years. This did not include studios C and D or the smaller studio M. AXA are in partnership with Oxygen Studios. This is the company that has been running Longcross and Arborfield studios. They took over in January 2025.
The old ATV scenery building was extensively refurbished internally by the BBC at a considerable cost. It now contains EastEnders production offices, editing and post production suites, wardrobe storage, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and cafe/green room areas. See the ‘Elstree -ATV & BBC‘ page for much more info on all this. So the BBC were able to vacate the half of the site due to be developed.
John O’Driscoll, Global Co-Head of Real Estate at AXA IM Alts, commented:
“With the signing of BBC Elstree Centre we will be acquiring one of the oldest working TV & film studios in the U.K., with a history dating back almost 110 years. The structure of the transaction allows the BBC to continue its production on the site for at least another 25 years, while providing us with the opportunity to invest in the site to create new world class studios. The whole area has a long and illustrious history of producing some of the world’s most celebrated films and television series and, under our stewardship, we aim to continue that legacy.
“The TV & film studios sector remains one of our conviction asset classes, being underpinned by increasing demand from an ever-broader array of production houses, content creators and broadcasters. This is coupled with very limited supply of high-quality modern film and production space, particularly in and around London where new construction is hindered by a lack of available land in the right locations.”
Oxygen Studios carried out consultations during the early summer of 2024. This included a display of nicely printed graphic panels which EastEnders crew and staff were invited to view in the old canteen. They did not include any details of the proposed scheme – just an explanation of what was planned in a general sense and why it was going to be a very good thing.
In February 2025 it was revealed that the studios would be called Fairbanks Studios. I certainly approve of this choice.
The proposals indicated 5 new sound stages plus workshops, offices and a multi-storey car park. One assumes this would be available for EastEnders crews as well as those working on the film stages. The document states that catering facilities will be included that will be available for everyone working on the site. The whole facility will be very environmentally friendly, with a combination of green roofs and solar panels.
image thanks to Fairbanks Studios
The schedule is as follows:
March 2025 – public consultation
March – April 2025 – review feedback and finalise proposals
April 2025 – submit planning application.
Summer/Autumn 2025 – application considered by Hertsmere council. Permission was granted on 18th September 2025.
November 2025 – demolition underway.
Early 2026 – construction commences.
Winter 2027 – Fairbanks Studios opens its doors.