大象传媒

The original Maida Vale Roller Skating Palace and Club, from which 大象传媒 Maida Vale was later created, seated 2,650 people and was proud possessor of its own orchestra balcony.

The Palace only lasted three months however, and for the rest of the decade the building was occupied by a variety of companies. In the 1930s not only was it home to the 大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra, but its temporary status as a standby centre of the 大象传媒 radio news service during the Second World War made it a target in the blitz. The site had to be completely renovated after taking a direct hit during a raid.

Broadcast highlights

大象传媒 Maida Vale held more than 150 musicians, a choir of over 100 and an audience of 220. Overall, the building housed a total of seven music and radio drama studios.

Outside its classical music remit, it was famously home to John Peel's 大象传媒 Radio 1 Peel Sessions, and the 大象传媒 Radiophonic Workshop, famed for its realisation of the Doctor Who theme tune. 

Now a new state-of-the-art studio facility in Stratford, east London has replaced it, and the original building has been sold to a partnership that includes the Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer and film producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.