Limehouse Studios
Encyclopedia
Limehouse Studios was an independently-owned television studio
complex built in No. 10 Warehouse (30 Shed) of the South Quay Import Dock. This was located at the eastern end of Canary Wharf
on the Isle of Dogs
in London
, which opened in 1983. The building was demolished just six years later, in 1989, to make way for the massive Olympia & York development of Canary Wharf which now occupies the site.
The warehouse was built for Fruit Lines Ltd, a subsidiary of Fred Olsen Lines for the Mediterranean and Canary Island fruit trade. At their request, the wharf was given the name Canary Wharf. The company moved to Millwall Docks, in 1970.
One of the first successes of the London Docklands Development Corporation
, the studios were housed in the immensely strong converted shell of a disused rum and banana warehouse built in 1952. At a cost of about £3.6m, and under the design of Terry Farrell
, this was transformed into a complex containing two studios of 3000 square feet (279 m²) and 6000 square feet (557 m²) and various associated production offices and post-production facilities. The two studios were contained in suspended concrete boxes mounted on independent giant springs to reduce external vibration, and the whole complex was fitted out to the highest standards.
As one of the then few independent facilities in London, founded by a group of executives from the former Southern Television
after that company had lost its ITV franchise
in 1981, the new studios quickly became the venue of choice for many of the independent production companies now making programmes for the new Channel 4
, helped also by the popular hospitality boat moored alongside in the dock. Among the many programmes made at the studios at that time were Who Dares Wins
(1983–88); Treasure Hunt
(1983–89), including a celebrity episode in 1985 where the studio itself was the final "treasure" location; Janet Street-Porter
's "yoof tv" series Network 7 (1987); and the first series of Whose Line Is It Anyway?
with Clive Anderson
in 1989. The studios were also the home for the first nine series of Spitting Image
from 1984 to 1989, for ITV.
In 1988, the building was sold to Olympia and York for £25m. Following their eviction in 1989, the owners moved all the equipment they could to the former Lee International Studios at Wembley
, the studios were purchased for a reported £5.25 million from Lee International
PLC (now the Fountain Studios) with a second smaller studio and post-production facility in the Trocadero in W1. But the Limehouse name disappeared when the parent company Trilion collapsed three years later.
Television studio
A television studio is an installation in which a video productions take place, either for the recording of live television to video tape, or for the acquisition of raw footage for post-production. The design of a studio is similar to, and derived from, movie studios, with a few amendments for the...
complex built in No. 10 Warehouse (30 Shed) of the South Quay Import Dock. This was located at the eastern end of Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is a major business district located in London, United Kingdom. It is one of London's two main financial centres, alongside the traditional City of London, and contains many of the UK's tallest buildings, including the second-tallest , One Canada Square...
on the Isle of Dogs
Isle of Dogs
The Isle of Dogs is a former island in the East End of London that is bounded on three sides by one of the largest meanders in the River Thames.-Etymology:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, which opened in 1983. The building was demolished just six years later, in 1989, to make way for the massive Olympia & York development of Canary Wharf which now occupies the site.
The warehouse was built for Fruit Lines Ltd, a subsidiary of Fred Olsen Lines for the Mediterranean and Canary Island fruit trade. At their request, the wharf was given the name Canary Wharf. The company moved to Millwall Docks, in 1970.
One of the first successes of the London Docklands Development Corporation
London Docklands Development Corporation
The London Docklands Development Corporation was a quango agency set up by the UK Government in 1981 to regenerate the depressed Docklands area of east London. During its eighteen-year existence it was responsible for regenerating an area of in the London Boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and...
, the studios were housed in the immensely strong converted shell of a disused rum and banana warehouse built in 1952. At a cost of about £3.6m, and under the design of Terry Farrell
Terry Farrell (architect)
Sir Terry Farrell, CBE, RIBA, FRSA, FCSD, MRTPI is a British architect.-Life and career:Farrell was born in Sale, Cheshire. As a youth he moved to Newcastle upon Tyne, where he attended St Cuthbert's High School. He graduated with a degree from Newcastle University, followed by a Masters in urban...
, this was transformed into a complex containing two studios of 3000 square feet (279 m²) and 6000 square feet (557 m²) and various associated production offices and post-production facilities. The two studios were contained in suspended concrete boxes mounted on independent giant springs to reduce external vibration, and the whole complex was fitted out to the highest standards.
As one of the then few independent facilities in London, founded by a group of executives from the former Southern Television
Southern Television
Southern Television was the first ITV broadcasting licence holder for the south and south-east of England from 30 August 1958 until the night of 31 December 1981. The company was launched as Southern Television Limited and the title Southern Television was consistently used on-air throughout its life...
after that company had lost its ITV franchise
History of ITV
The history of ITV, the United Kingdom "Independent Television" commercial network, goes back to 1954.-The early years: 1954–1963:After much debate both in the British Parliament and the British Press, the Television Act became law in 1954...
in 1981, the new studios quickly became the venue of choice for many of the independent production companies now making programmes for the new Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, helped also by the popular hospitality boat moored alongside in the dock. Among the many programmes made at the studios at that time were Who Dares Wins
Who Dares Wins (TV series)
Who Dares Wins was a British television comedy sketch show broadcast between 1983 and 1988, featuring Jimmy Mulville, Rory McGrath, Philip Pope, Julia Hills and Tony Robinson...
(1983–88); Treasure Hunt
Treasure Hunt (UK game show)
Treasure Hunt was a popular UK game show, based on the format of the French show La Chasse au Trésor, created by Jacques Antoine. It appeared on Channel 4 between 28 December 1982 and 18 May 1989 and was revived by BBC Two between 16 December 2002 and 2 August 2003.-The game:A team of two...
(1983–89), including a celebrity episode in 1985 where the studio itself was the final "treasure" location; Janet Street-Porter
Janet Street-Porter
Janet Street-Porter is a British media personality, journalist and television presenter. She was editor for two years of The Independent on Sunday. She relinquished the job to become editor-at-large in 2002...
's "yoof tv" series Network 7 (1987); and the first series of Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. Originally a British radio programme, it moved to television in 1988 as a series made for the UK's Channel 4, for a 10 series run...
with Clive Anderson
Clive Anderson
Clive Anderson is a British former barrister, best known for being a comedy writer as well as a radio and television presenter in the United Kingdom...
in 1989. The studios were also the home for the first nine series of Spitting Image
Spitting Image
Spitting Image is a British satirical puppet show that aired on the ITV network from 1984 to 1996. It was produced by Spitting Image Productions for Central Television. The series was nominated for 10 BAFTA Awards, winning one for editing in 1989....
from 1984 to 1989, for ITV.
In 1988, the building was sold to Olympia and York for £25m. Following their eviction in 1989, the owners moved all the equipment they could to the former Lee International Studios at Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
, the studios were purchased for a reported £5.25 million from Lee International
Lee International
-Early history:Lee Electric Ltd was incorporated as a business in 1961 by John Lee and Benny Lee , two film lighting electricians...
PLC (now the Fountain Studios) with a second smaller studio and post-production facility in the Trocadero in W1. But the Limehouse name disappeared when the parent company Trilion collapsed three years later.
External links
- Limehouse Studios unofficial history
- Limehouse Productions profile by the BFIBritish Film InstituteThe British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...