Update Feb. 22nd:
From BBC 6: After days of speculation about the fate of the iconic locale, the label released the statement saying it believes the studios should remain under its ownership. Read The Full Story
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EMI has recently announced that they will be selling the world’s most renown studio, Abbey Road.
This is THE HISTORICAL studio, there’s no doubt. Abbey Road’s doors have been open since 1931 in one form or another, taking the official name Abbey Road in 1970…
But why sell the studio?
EMI, the record label that has owned Abbey Road Studios from the beginning (orig as “The Gramophone Company”) has cited a need to chip away at their enormous debt as a main reason to sell the studio… No word on the profitability of the studio or any other reasons for selling.
Who Will Buy It?
The most talked about prospective buyer of Abbey Road Studios is a UK Charity Group The National Trust. The National Trust is an organization that protects and keeps open to the public 350 historic houses, gardens and ancient monuments in the UK.
In THIS article The National Trust asks if they should purchase Abbey Road… A question raised because not only presenters on BBC Radio, but also Paul McCartney himself called for The National Trust to get involved.
The Price
While no official price or offering has been announced, a price has been speculated. Somewhere between £10 Million and £30 Million, which would be between $15.5 Million and $46.5 Million Dollars.
The Outcome
Nothing has been mentioned of what will happen to Abbey Road Studios if it’s bought by The National Trust… Would they turn it into a tourist site? Or keep at as a functional Studio? I would hope for the latter, but It’s doubtful.
Who else could buy the studio? Maybe to keep this landmark studio going? Ideas?
