Shepherds Bush Empire

• Theatre ID
  2026
• Built / Converted
  1903
• Dates of use
  • 1903 - 1953
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Music venue (concert and comedy venue)
• Address
  56 Shepherds Bush Green, Hammersmith & Fulham, London, W12 8TT, England
• Website
  • O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

Details

An unusual Matcham design; an interesting example of the Arts and Crafts spirit leaking into his later work. Roughcast with terra cotta dressings. Asymmetrical front, the centre with four-bay arched entrance; to the right, a taller bay with segmental gable and, beyond that, a broad, splayed return; to the left, a stocky round tower with little windows and a lively Baroque top stage, lantern and cupola, now lacking some ornament. Side additions were made and the interior was radically altered to adapt it for use as a BBC TV studio (1953-91) when substantial parts of the ornament were removed or obscured. The auditorium was of some magnificence, only two years later than the Hackney Empire (q.v.), but quite different in architectural treatment. The ornament has been extensively restored for its present use but a full restoration would require a complete ensemble of Matcham-style decorations. Nevertheless, it is more complete than would have seemed feasible 25 years ago.

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• Events
  • 1903 - 1953 Use:
  • 1903 Design/Construction:
    • Frank Matcham - Architect
    • Patman & Fotheringham - Contractor
  • 1953 - 0 Alteration: converted to television studio (architect unknown).
  • 1995 - 0 Alteration: converted to live music venue; part architectural restoration.
    • Torres Design Associates - Architect
    • Dean & Bowes - Contractor
  • 1953 - 1991 Owner/Management: BBC
  • 1993 Owner/Management: Turner Page Music Ltd
  • 1995 Owner/Management: Break for the Border
  • 1998 - 0 Owner/Management: The McKenzie Group, owners
  • 2004 - 0 Owner/Management: AMG (Academy Music Group), owners
• Capacities
  • Original: 2332
  • Later: 1946: 1638
  • Current: 1,098 or 2,000 standing
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Proscenium Flat
• Dimensions
  • Proscenium width: 9.15m (31ft)
  • Height to grid: 7.62m (25ft, but 48ft in 1946)