First look inside the transformed Television Centre in White City

‘This is is a trully mixed-use project’, says Television Centre managing director Alistair Shaw. And indeed, the highly anticipated transformation of the iconic White City complex has been one of West London’s most exciting ongoing developments, including everything from the BBC Worldwide base and BBC Studioworks studios, to residential, soho house, offices, and a number of restaurants. This April, the launch of the residential-led mixed use development marks a new chapter in the iconic site’s life.
The site — that used to house the BBC’s headquarters — contains the Grade-II listed Helios building with its original golden statue and round piazza. This was once off limits to the public but now is open and leads through to Hammersmith park at the back. The architects, AHMM, worked on retaining as much of the history and the culture of the place as possible, they explain, however peppering it with new and contemporary elements and spaces. So the instantly recognisable round courtyard has been maintained, white overlooking windows were replaced with exact same but new and improved equivalents. ‘Most of the square still looks as it was the day it was built’, says Paul Monaghan of AHMM.
The common areas include the original, thin and elegant mid-century modern staircase and striking fin walls, adding further character to the residential element – matched by a new lifts core and terrazzo floor that references the original design. The apartments have been cleverly designed with plenty of hidden storage and built in furniture that multi tasks as a space-saving strategy, inspired at the same time by the building’s Fifties architecture. Interiors have been composed by Suzy Hoodless.
The complex also includes retail and leisure facilities, as well as a new 45-bedroom Soho House hotel and gym – the company’s largest ever, nestled underground and accessed via a core in the statue’s plinth. ‘At once a home, a place of work and a true destination, we look forward to welcoming all to Television Centre as it relaunches this April’, adds Haw.
This is just the first phase in the landmark complex’s grand plans. There’s affordable house by Maccreanor Lavington still to come, as well as more office and residential buildings by firms such as dRMM and Duggan Morris. In the meantime, a slew of dynamic, emerging practices have been enlisted to work on a series of penthouses — designs by Coffey Architects, Piercy and Company, Acher Architects and Haptic are due to be revealed in the summer. Watch this space.
Created in and around the former BBC headquarters in White City, the scheme is one of the few large scale mixed use developments in the heart of London. Photography: GG Archard
The complex includes the iconic Helios building and round courtyard. Photography: GG Archard
The piazza, which used to be closed off, is now open to the public and also contains the entrance and lobbies to the refreshed building's residential element. Photography: GG Archard
The building contains a variety of apartments designed by AHMM with interiors by Suzy Hoodless. Photography: GG Archard
The space was inspired by the original building's mid-century Modern style. Photography: GG Archard
Built in furniture that multi tasks ensures some clever space saving inside the apartments. Photography: GG Archard
Television Centre is a joint venture development between Mitsui Fudosan, AIMCo and Stanhope. Photography: GG Archard
Television Centre’s homes sit in the existing circular Grade-II listed Helios building. Photography: GG Archard
While referencing their 1950s heritage, the apartments have been fitted to suit 21st century living. Photography: GG Archard
A restored, original staircase forms part of the residential building, as a nod to the complex's iconic heritage. Photography: GG Archard
INFORMATION
For more information visit the website of AHMM
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Unlike the gloriously grotesque imagery in his films, Yorgos Lanthimos’ photographs are quietly beautiful
An exhibition at Webber Gallery in Los Angeles presents Yorgos Lanthimos’ photography
By Katie Tobin Published
-
Remembering architect David M Childs (1941-2025) and his New York skyline legacy
David M Childs, a former chairman of architectural powerhouse SOM, has passed away. We celebrate his professional achievements
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
At the Institute of Indology, a humble new addition makes all the difference
Continuing the late Balkrishna V Doshi’s legacy, Sangath studio design a new take on the toilet in Gujarat
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Are Derwent London's new lounges the future of workspace?
Property developer Derwent London’s new lounges – created for tenants of its offices – work harder to promote community and connection for their users
By Emily Wright Published
-
Showing off its gargoyles and curves, The Gradel Quadrangles opens in Oxford
The Gradel Quadrangles, designed by David Kohn Architects, brings a touch of playfulness to Oxford through a modern interpretation of historical architecture
By Shawn Adams Published
-
A Norfolk bungalow has been transformed through a deft sculptural remodelling
North Sea East Wood is the radical overhaul of a Norfolk bungalow, designed to open up the property to sea and garden views
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A new concrete extension opens up this Stoke Newington house to its garden
Architects Bindloss Dawes' concrete extension has brought a considered material palette to this elegant Victorian family house
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A former garage is transformed into a compact but multifunctional space
A multifunctional, compact house by Francesco Pierazzi is created through a unique spatial arrangement in the heart of the Surrey countryside
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A 1960s North London townhouse deftly makes the transition to the 21st Century
Thanks to a sensitive redesign by Studio Hagen Hall, this midcentury gem in Hampstead is now a sustainable powerhouse.
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Manchester United and Foster + Partners to build a new stadium: ‘Arguably the largest public space in the world’
The football club will spend £2 billion on the ambitious project, which co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has described as the ‘world's greatest football stadium’
By Anna Solomon Published
-
An architect’s own home offers a refined and leafy retreat from its East London surroundings
Studioshaw has completed a courtyard house in amongst a cluster of traditional terraced houses, harnessing the sun and plenty of greenery to bolster privacy and warmth
By Jonathan Bell Published