The Langham Hotel in Portland Place, London was, at the time of its construction in the 1860s, one of the most modern hotels in the world and was the choice of some illustrious guests.
As a luxury hotel, however, it struggled financially in the economic depression of the 1930s and its owners considered selling it as a potential home for the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ when they outgrew their facilities at Savoy Hill. As it happened, the purpose-built Broadcasting House was constructed across the road and the hotel became inextricably linked with the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ for the next fifty years.
During World War 2 was in constant use as an additional broadcast and support facility, and its proximity to Broadcasting House also made it vulnerable to attack. On 16 September 1940, Broadcasting House came under intense fire from Luftwaffe raiders who destroyed a large section of the hotel’s west wing.
The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s wartime staff used to broadcast from the roof of The Langham, in particular the US correspondent Edward Murrow. JB Priestley was also a regular guest in this period - in order to be close to Broadcasting House for his frequent late-night transmissions of Britain Speaks to North America. General De Gaulle also stayed for periods at The Langham, when recording his famous broadcasts to occupied France from Broadcasting House.
The whole building was purchased by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ in 1965 - the Palm Court was used as the reference library, and it became well-known for its staff restaurant, bar and refreshment rooms. It was used as the location for training the new crews and presenters for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Local Radio. The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ sold the site in 1986 and it is once again a luxury hotel.
Buildings
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              Alexandra PalaceThe birthplace of television
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              Broadcasting HouseThe first purpose-built broadcast centre in the UK
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              Broadcasting House, BelfastÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Northern Ireland's headquarters since 1941
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              Broadcasting House, BristolFormer home of the Natural History Unit
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              Broadcasting House, CardiffThe ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s first bespoke headquarters in Wales
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              Bush HouseÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ of the World Service 1940-2012
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              Camden Palace TheatreLight entertainment and music from North London
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              Caversham ParkListening to the world, 1943 to 2018
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              Ealing StudiosThe ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Television Film Studios
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              Elstree StudiosÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ of EastEnders
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              Lime GroveA temporary measure for 42 years
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              Kingswood WarrenFormer home of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Research & Development
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              The LanghamSustaining the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ during World War 2 and after
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              Maida ValeThe best acoustic in London
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              35 Marylebone High StreetThe first headquarters of the Radio Times and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio London.
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              MediaCityUKThe ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Northern base in Salford
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              Pacific QuayHeadquarters of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Scotland
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              Paris StudiosFormer London cinema which hosted The Beatles and Dad's Army
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              Pebble MillA hub for drama, entertainment and factual programmes in Birmingham between 1971 and 2004
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              Queen's House, WC2Centre of English language learning
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              Riverside StudiosA film studio regenerated into a TV studio used by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ from 1954 to 1975
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              Savoy HillThe first home of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
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              Television CentreThe Television Factory
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              Television TheatreA mecca for the stars of the 1960s
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              Wood NortonThe emergency broadcasting centre
