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The historic building at 3 Savile Row, where The Beatles performed their final concert, is set to be transformed into a multi-floor exhibition dedicated to the band. This newly planned venue will offer fans an immersive experience across seven floors, featuring rare memorabilia and archival content never seen before. A Grade II listed mansion, 3 Savile Row served as The Beatles’ base of operations from 1968 to 1972, and it was within its basement that the group recorded their last album, *Let It Be*.
Sir Paul McCartney shared with the BBC his vision for establishing an official Beatles destination in London. He explained that while tourists often visit Abbey Road, they cannot actually enter the site, which tends to cause traffic issues and frustration for drivers. “Tourists come to England and they can go to Abbey Road, but they can’t go inside [and] it snares up the traffic and the drivers get really annoyed,” he said. “So I thought this was a terrific idea.” The exhibition will recreate the basement studio where *Let It Be* was recorded and allow visitors to relive the iconic rooftop concert performed by The Beatles, right on the spot where it took place.
In terms of visitor experience, Sir Paul outlined that guests will start their journey on the ground floor among various memorabilia displays. As they ascend through the floors, they will encounter different exhibits highlighting notable moments connected to the building and the band’s history. Upon reaching the rooftop, visitors will be able to “pretend to be a Beatle,” enjoying a unique connection to the legendary 42-minute rooftop performance. Of course, the venue will also feature a retail space offering officially licensed Beatles merchandise. “You know, a retail thing… but you want that,” Sir Paul noted. “You even want that at the National Trust, you know? You’ve got to have a souvenir.”
The Beatles’ legendary rooftop concert in January 1969, which marked the last public performance of the group, nearly did not go ahead. Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg recalled that some band members hesitated: “George didn’t want to do it and Ringo started saying he didn’t really see the point.” John Lennon, however, pushed the event forward: “Then John said, ‘Oh, [expletive] it – let’s go do it.’” The band then climbed five stories to the rooftop, playing ten songs including “Don’t Let Me Down,” “I’ve Got A Feeling,” and two versions of “Get Back” before police ended the show due to noise complaints. The performance footage was recently restored for Peter Jackson’s *Get Back* documentary, and a blue plaque on the building commemorates the historic event.
3 Savile Row boasts a rich history beyond its Beatles association. Before the band’s arrival, it was home to notable figures such as General Robert Ross, who led the burning of the White House in 1814, and Lady Hamilton, famous for her relationship with Admiral Nelson. Following the band’s breakup in 1970, the building continued as the headquarters for their company, Apple Corps. George Harrison even paid tribute to the faithful fans who gathered outside the building in his post-Beatles song “Apple Scruffs” from the album *All Things Must Pass*. After The Beatles sold 3 Savile Row in 1976, it was later converted into a store for Abercrombie and Fitch.
The decision to reclaim the historic site as a Beatles destination came from Tom Greene, the current CEO of Apple Corps, who joined the company in 2025 following his work with the Harry Potter franchise. Sir Paul McCartney described Greene as “a live wire” who brings fresh energy to interpreting what The Beatles mean to people today. Ringo Starr reflected on revisiting the building as “like coming home,” while Sir Paul called the experience “such a trip.” Excited about the upcoming exhibition, Sir Paul praised the team behind the project and expressed his eagerness for fans to see the final result.
Currently, Beatles enthusiasts can visit Liverpool’s Beatles Museum and the nearby Beatles Story, though neither is officially licensed by the band. Fans also frequent sites connected to the individual members, such as Sir Paul’s childhood home in Allerton, Strawberry Fields, and George Harrison’s birthplace in Wavertree. Meanwhile, both Sir Paul and Ringo Starr remain musically active. Ringo’s 22nd album, *Long Long Road*, was released last month and reached number two on the UK country music charts. Sir Paul is set to release his new album, *The Boys of Dungeon Road*, at the end of May, offering reflective songs about his Liverpool upbringing and The Beatles’ early days
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