For years we’ve fought’: Hackney studio branded ‘Abbey Road of photography’ beats third demolition bid

Holborn Studios. Photograph: Ian Shacklock

A “world-class” photography studio has survived the third attempt in over a decade to demolish it, after the High Court quashed the landlord’s attempt to turn it into flats, a café and offices.

Dubbed the ‘Abbey Road of photography’, in July Holborn Studios in Hackney won its latest battle against both the developer and a planning inspector after a judge found neither could explain how the plans offered suitable space for photo shoots.

Boasting a star-studded list of past clients, including Kylie Minogue, Tom Cruise and David Beckham, the canalside studio complex at Hoxton’s Eagle Wharf is considered the largest in Europe.

Over the last 13 years it has seen off a number of efforts by property firm Galliard to redevelop the building, which include the most recent plans for 50 homes and roughly 5,500 square metres of workspace.

Holborn Studios described this as “sub-standard”.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), manager Mike McCartney said Galliard’s plans to move the photographic studio into the basement failed to show how they would provide the 60 per cent of floorspace for cultural use, as required by the borough’s planning policy.

Mr McCartney said: “For over a decade, we have fought to protect our home of over 40 years. While we are not against redevelopment, having been born and raised in Hackney we feel it is imperative that if cultural icons need to be knocked down they at least provide an appropriate future home, as well as affordable housing for the people of our borough.”

Mr Justice Jay said it was not clear how the plans were “adequate” and if the inspector had the purpose of photography in mind when he deemed the basement suitable for cultural use – despite managers insisting it was too small.

The inspector – appointed by the secretary for state for housing – had last year overturned the council’s decision to block demolition, in which the Town Hall went against the advice of its planning team.

Holborn Studios has twice taken Hackney Council to court for granting Galliard planning permission.

In 2020, a judge ruled the Town Hall’s decision “unlawful” because the council published “opaque and incoherent” information meant to show how the developer would contribute £757,000 to affordable housing.

In 1987, Mike’s father Vincent McCartney began transforming the “broken-down warehouse into a world-class photographic studio”, McCartney added.

The derelict building, sat by Regent’s Canal, was turned into a family-run business with at least seven separate studios, hosting shoots by a number of renowned artists including David Bailey and Annie Leibovitz.

The ‘Abbey Road’ analogy was coined by fashion photographer Helmut Newton, who made his name shooting for titles like Vogue and Elle.

The LDRS approached Galliard for comment but at the time of writing the firm had not responded.