Royal Academy of Music to open major east London campus

The new site will be located on London City Island and will deliver 2,000 square metres of additional space, including four acoustically separated studios of up to 160 square metres each, alongside 10 teaching and practice rooms equipped with grand pianos and recording facilities.

Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, principal of the Royal Academy of Music, said: "This acquisition is a game-changer for the Royal Academy of Music and integral to our future as we take our already world-class facilities to a new level and to a new place – a place in the east of London with endless possibilities, as we extend our reach across the city and beyond."

Ellinor Bengtson, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, and team at the academy's new site (Image: © David Tett) The purpose-built studios are expected to significantly enhance training opportunities for students across all departments, with particular benefits for those studying opera and musical theatre.

The expansion is intended to improve the student experience rather than increase intake numbers.

The academy’s historic Marylebone Road campus will remain its primary base for teaching, practice, and public performances, but it said the new facility will ease space constraints.

The academy also plans to collaborate with community organisations in the surrounding area, including those supporting people with special educational needs and disabilities, hospital patients, care home residents, and day centre attendees.

Through its existing outreach projects in central and south London, academy students already work with more than 5,000 people each year.

The new studios will be housed in a repurposed building on the same peninsula as the English National Ballet’s headquarters.

The site has been made available to the academy on a 100-year peppercorn rent by EcoWorld Ballymore, the developers behind London City Island.

Anita Hughes Campbell, managing director of EcoWorld International (UK), said: "We’re proud to see London City Island continuing to grow as a vibrant cultural destination.

"From the outset, our vision has been to create a thriving community where world-class arts and education can flourish.

"Welcoming the Royal Academy of Music reinforces the island’s role as a true home for creativity and performance."

The academy will fund the redevelopment through philanthropic support, with £5 million already pledged.

The design will be led by AOC Architecture, whose recent projects include the award-winning Young V&A in Bethnal Green, The National Archives in Kew, and Somerset House Studios.

The building will be designed to meet the BREEAM 'excellent' environmental standard and will prioritise carbon efficiency.

Designs are expected to be completed in early autumn 2025, with fit-out works scheduled to begin in spring 2026.