Island Records and EMI's London HQ Designed as a Museum to the Labels
A new headquarters has been launched by Island Records and EMI in King's Cross, London, following 18 months of partnership between Studio Island and Interesting Projects. Holly Williams, the creative director, enlisted Interesting Projects, recognized for their design of the 2019 Keith Haring retrospective. The facility boasts two distinct entrances: one for Island, designed like a stage and adorned with a mural of Bob Marley's 'One Love' by SignsbyJorge, and the other for EMI, which displays memorabilia including a letter regarding the Sex Pistols and a textile tribute to the Beatles. The communal kitchen features a photo of Amy Winehouse. Louis Bloom, president of Island Records EMI Label Group, noted that the office honors the legacy and creativity of both labels, with EMI's history mural showcasing nearly a century of British music achievements.
Key facts
- Island Records and EMI share a new headquarters in King's Cross, London.
- The 18-month project was a collaboration between Interesting Projects and Studio Island.
- The design treats the space like an exhibition, described as 'a museum to the labels'.
- Island's entrance features a mural of Bob Marley's 'One Love' by SignsbyJorge.
- EMI's entrance includes a curated archive with a letter criticizing the signing of the Sex Pistols.
- Corbin Shaw created a textile piece 'Just Four Lads From Liverpool' for EMI.
- A shared kitchen has windows framing a photo of Amy Winehouse and a view of EMI's red wall.
- EMI's history mural notes King George VI's 1939 speech was recorded at Abbey Road.
Entities
Artists
- Bob Marley
- SignsbyJorge
- Keith Haring
- Corbin Shaw
- Amy Winehouse
- Spice Girls
- Jeremy Deller
- Lola Young
- King George VI
Institutions
- Island Records
- EMI
- Interesting Projects
- Studio Island
- Tate Liverpool
- Nurse Signs Collective
- Abbey Road
- Island Records EMI Label Group
Locations
- King's Cross
- London
- United Kingdom
- Jamaica