The Langham Hotel in Portland Place, London was, at the time of its construction in the 1860s, one of the most modern hotels in the world and was the choice of some illustrious guests.
As a luxury hotel, however, it struggled financially in the economic depression of the 1930s and its owners considered selling it as a potential home for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ when they outgrew their facilities at Savoy Hill. As it happened, the purpose-built Broadcasting House was constructed across the road and the hotel became inextricably linked with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ for the next fifty years.
During World War 2 was in constant use as an additional broadcast and support facility, and its proximity to Broadcasting House also made it vulnerable to attack. On 16 September 1940, Broadcasting House came under intense fire from Luftwaffe raiders who destroyed a large section of the hotel’s west wing.
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's wartime staff used to broadcast from the roof of The Langham, in particular the US correspondent Edward Murrow. JB Priestley was also a regular guest in this period - in order to be close to Broadcasting House for his frequent late-night transmissions of Britain Speaks to North America. General De Gaulle also stayed for periods at The Langham, when recording his famous broadcasts to occupied France from Broadcasting House.
The whole building was purchased by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ in 1965 - the Palm Court was used as the reference library, and it became well-known for its staff restaurant, bar and refreshment rooms. It was used as the location for training the new crews and presenters for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Local Radio. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ sold the site in 1986 and it is once again a luxury hotel.
Buildings
-
Alexandra Palace
The birthplace of television -
Broadcasting House
The first purpose-built broadcast centre in the UK -
Broadcasting House, Belfast
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland's headquarters since 1941 -
Broadcasting House, Bristol
Former home of the Natural History Unit -
Broadcasting House, Cardiff
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's first bespoke headquarters in Wales -
Bush House
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ of the World Service 1940-2012 -
Camden Palace Theatre
Light entertainment and music from North London -
Caversham Park
Listening to the world, 1943 to 2018 -
Ealing Studios
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television Film Studios -
Elstree Studios
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ of EastEnders -
Lime Grove
A temporary measure for 42 years -
Kingswood Warren
Former home of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Research & Development -
The Langham
Sustaining the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ during World War 2 and after -
Maida Vale
The best acoustic in London -
35 Marylebone High Street
The first headquarters of the Radio Times and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio London. -
MediaCityUK
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Northern base in Salford -
Pacific Quay
Headquarters of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland -
Paris Studios
Former London cinema which hosted The Beatles and Dad's Army -
Pebble Mill
A hub for drama, entertainment and factual programmes in Birmingham between 1971 and 2004 -
Queen's House, WC2
Centre of English language learning -
Riverside Studios
A film studio regenerated into a TV studio used by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ from 1954 to 1975 -
Savoy Hill
The first home of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ -
Television Centre
The Television Factory -
Television Theatre
A mecca for the stars of the 1960s -
Wood Norton
The emergency broadcasting centre