Abbey Road Wins Preservation Order

The U.K.'s Culture Minister Margaret Hodge declared the iconic venue in north-west London a Grade II listed building on Tuesday (23Feb10), on the advice of national preservation body English Heritage.

In a statement, the company's Chief Executive Simon Thurley said the Georgian building housing the studios "acts as a modern day monument to the history of recorded sound and music."

He adds, "Some of the most defining sounds of the 20th century were created within the walls of the Abbey Road Studios. It contains, quite simply, the most famous recording studios in the world."

The new status means that although changes to its interior can be made, any proposed alterations must respect the character and preservation of the site.

Sir Paul MCCartney, part of the Fab Four who named their 1969 album after the building, called for the studios to be saved after bosses at record label giant EMI announced plans to sell the studio earlier this month.

The company's chiefs have since abandoned their plan and admitted they would welcome an official listing from English Heritage.