Neptune House
Encyclopedia
Neptune House is an office block situated in the grounds of BBC Elstree Centre in Clarendon Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
The imposing office block dates from the 1960s and is distinctive by its glass-fronted entrance. Neptune House has featured in several popular television series, most notably as the school in Grange Hill
, and since 1999, the hospital reception for Holby City
. In 1989 a purpose-built set was constructed for Grange Hill at the back of the building, but was torn down in 2002 when the series left Elstree.
Prior to 1984, the Clarendon Road studios were owned by defunct ITV franchise holder ATV
as their main production centre, then for a time by ATV's successor Central Independent Television
. Neptune House could be seen in the opening titles to Gerry Anderson's sci-fi series UFO as the headquarters of SHADO in 1970.
The hospital "wards" in Holby City are actually the top floor of Neptune House, fully kitted out allowing genuine outside views from the windows. The building's staircases are seen almost constantly in the series.
With the BBC currently considering plans which could see EastEnders
moved to a new set at Pinewood studios, a question mark hangs over the long-term future of its Elstree site and with it, Neptune House.
The imposing office block dates from the 1960s and is distinctive by its glass-fronted entrance. Neptune House has featured in several popular television series, most notably as the school in Grange Hill
Grange Hill
Grange Hill is a British television drama series originally made by the BBC. The show began in 1978 on BBC1 and was one of the longest running programmes on British television...
, and since 1999, the hospital reception for Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
. In 1989 a purpose-built set was constructed for Grange Hill at the back of the building, but was torn down in 2002 when the series left Elstree.
Prior to 1984, the Clarendon Road studios were owned by defunct ITV franchise holder ATV
Associated TeleVision
Associated Television, often referred to as ATV, was a British television company, holder of various licences to broadcast on the ITV network from 24 September 1955 until 00:34 on 1 January 1982...
as their main production centre, then for a time by ATV's successor Central Independent Television
Central Independent Television
Central Independent Television, more commonly known as Central is the Independent Television contractor for the Midlands, created following the restructuring of ATV and commencing broadcast on 1 January 1982. The station is owned and operated by ITV plc, under the licensee of ITV Broadcasting...
. Neptune House could be seen in the opening titles to Gerry Anderson's sci-fi series UFO as the headquarters of SHADO in 1970.
The hospital "wards" in Holby City are actually the top floor of Neptune House, fully kitted out allowing genuine outside views from the windows. The building's staircases are seen almost constantly in the series.
With the BBC currently considering plans which could see EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
moved to a new set at Pinewood studios, a question mark hangs over the long-term future of its Elstree site and with it, Neptune House.