News on 31 October 2000
The BBC has released details of its plans to bring news
and information services back to central London and create a 'modern centre
for global broadcasting'.
 |
| 'Achitects' impression of the approach to the new Broadcasting House complex' |
As reported earlier this month on i-FM (see
News story) Architects MacCormac Jamieson Prichard have been appointed
to design the Portland Place complex which will include the historic Broadcasting
House radio headquarters and two adjacent 1960s office blocks, Egton House
and 16 Langham Street. The new centre will be home to BBC Radio, BBC World
Service and BBC News.
The design envisages around 4,600 sq m (50,000 sq ft) of publicly accessible
space, including a piazza with a better audience handling area for the
Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House, and a visible showcase for the BBC
at work.
The BBC expects that the new complex, which will allow it to consolidate
four London sites into three, will be completed in six years. In line
with its strategy to direct more money into programme making, the BBC
plans to finance the development through a joint venture with a commercial
partner. This would enable the development to be undertaken at no additional
cost to the licence fee payer or tax payer, says the Corporation.
The BBC faces criticism over the move because it had created
the state-of-the-art News Centre at Television Centre in West London,
seen behind news presenters each night. The Corporation says Stage 6,
which currently houses the News Centre, was designed as a flexible programme
making space. It will be used by network television programme makers when
BBC News leaves towards the end of the decade.
 |
| 'Broadcasting House and its neighbours as they are now' |
The development of the Broadcasting House site is part of
the Corporation’s property strategy. The BBC is in the process of
creating a joint venture with the commercial sector to finance this strategy
and then to manage the estate for around 20 years. Two consortia were
short-listed on 20 October 2000 (see News story).
They are The Foresite Consortium and Insight. Subject to successful negotiations,
the BBC plans to announce the outcome in Spring 2001.
John Smith, Director of Finance and Business Affairs explains: "This
strategy will help the BBC face the century ahead by creating contemporary,
open, flexible and cost efficient working environments. Without incurring
any additional cost to the licence fee payer, we plan a centre which captivates
the skyline, inspires the user and welcomes the visitor."
