Academy of St Martin in the Fields buys The Warehouse in Waterloo as its first permanent home

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF) has taken a significant step in its history by acquiring The Warehouse in Waterloo, London, establishing a permanent headquarters for the first time since its founding in 1958. This strategic purchase, finalized on 22 October 2026, was achieved through the acquisition of the London Festival Orchestra (LFO), which previously owned the building.

The Warehouse stands as one of London’s most esteemed rehearsal and recording venues, originally transformed from a neglected Victorian edifice in the 1990s by Ross Pople, the cellist and founder of the LFO. Pople converted the building into a dedicated home for his orchestra, marking the LFO as the first British orchestra with an independent, permanent facility. Following a severe skiing accident in 2012 that curtailed Pople’s conducting career, the orchestra ceased performances, though he maintained leadership over the venue.

This acquisition consolidates ASMF’s musicians, administrative offices, library, and archive under one roof, providing an operational hub that had been absent until now. The LFO’s business operations have been integrated as a trading subsidiary of ASMF’s charitable structure, with profits directed to support the orchestra’s ongoing activities.

ASMF’s Chief Executive, Annie Lydford, initiated discussions with Pople in early 2025, leading to what has been described as an ideal resolution to longstanding concerns regarding the venue’s future. The orchestra’s reputation for independent enterprise and self-sufficiency has enabled it to avoid reliance on regular public funding, distinguishing it in the British orchestral landscape.

Historically, The Warehouse has attracted an illustrious roster of artists across classical and popular genres, including luminaries such as Yehudi Menuhin, Daniel Barenboim, Martha Argerich, and even pop icons like Annie Lennox and Shirley Bassey. This legacy underlines the venue’s significance beyond its function as a rehearsal space, serving also as a cultural landmark.

The acquisition aligns with ASMF’s broader mission, supporting not only its core musical activities but also social engagement programs. The Warehouse will serve as the base for Ensemble Unheard, an orchestra formed by individuals experiencing homelessness, and will facilitate ASMF’s talent development initiatives. These projects emphasize the importance of a welcoming and supportive environment, with spaces tailored in consultation with participants to foster creativity and wellbeing.

Plans for The Warehouse include maintaining its accessibility to the wider music community through affordable studio hires, coaching rooms, and intimate performance settings. The orchestra also intends to undertake acoustic enhancements and develop an education suite, with planning permissions already secured for this expansion.

Joshua Bell, ASMF’s Music Director since 2011, has often rehearsed at The Warehouse and regards its acquisition as a meaningful milestone, reflecting the ensemble’s commitment to nurturing artistic freedom and excellence. The orchestra’s dual presence at its historic performance venue, the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, and now this dedicated operational base, marks a new chapter in its development.

The purchase was supported by a syndicate of philanthropists from both the UK and the US, including notable donors who have recognized the orchestra’s artistic and community contributions. ASMF has subsequently launched a fundraising campaign aimed at securing an additional £500,000 to support the building’s transition and initial improvements by April 2027.

The Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, acknowledged the acquisition as a timely intervention in a context where rehearsal spaces for orchestras in London are increasingly scarce. The consolidation of ASMF’s operations within The Warehouse is anticipated to enhance the orchestra’s sustainability and its capacity to serve both its musicians and the local community.

This development represents a rare example of an independent British orchestra not only securing ownership of a dedicated facility but doing so in a manner that reinforces its artistic ambition and social purpose amidst a challenging funding environment. Details on the full scope of future programs and renovations remain to be revealed as ASMF embarks on this new phase.