Fight to save a famous studio complex

A campaign has been launched to defend a unique local asset. Neighbours who care about preserving local buildings of historic interest have formed Friends of Holborn Studios to help fight the threat of demolition of the photographic studios at Eagle Wharf Road.

Holborn Studios is the largest photographic studio complex in Europe. There are very few supermodels, musicians, film stars and TV actors who have not been photographed there. And of course it’s a workplace for some of the world’s best photographers, directors, make-up artists, stylists, hairdressers, assistants, art directors and other creatives.

Since 1991 the famous studios, dubbed by Helmut Newton ‘the Abbey Road of photography’, have been housed in one of the few commercial buildings left in our area that is officially recognised as being of townscape merit and a heritage asset as part of the Regents Canal Conservation Area.

In 1999 a combined development between the studios and British Waterways (now the Canals and Rivers Trust) saw the creation of Eagle Wharf Marina, on the Regents Canal side of Holborn Studios – the first real regeneration of the canalside area, which has led directly to increased canal usage and public access to the Commissary Bar & Kitchen.

Now the landlords are seeking permission to redevelop the site for residential and commercial use. This would mean the demolition of most of the historic buildings (but not the old chimney – which would be surrounded by new buildings up to seven storeys high); the loss of over 200 jobs within a priority employment area; and the closure of historic Holborn Studios.

A recent Open Day at the studios helped launch the campaign to save the building and the studios from destruction.

You can learn more about the studios at www.holbornstudios.com and join the campaign to save them at www.friendsofholbornstudios.com.