Only a week after a rumor ignited that the legendary Abbey Road Studios were for sale, the landmark where The Beatles recorded has officially been declared a history building. After years of struggling financially, the owners of the property, EMI Group Ltd, looked for solutions to breathe life back into the studios that to this day, still draw tourists daily.

The declaration by the English Heritage that the north London building be named a historic landmark will allow the studios to be preserved for many future generations of music fans to enjoy. Helen Bowman, spokeswoman for the organization that oversees buildings of historic interest - said the process to name the building a landmark was likely "sped up" due to the recent controversy and rumors that the studio might be sold.

English Heritage Chief Executive Simon Thurley said in a statement that the Georgian building housing the studios "acts as a modern day monument to the history of recorded sound and music."

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

The studios best known as the namesake of The Beatles' eleventh album is also popular with orchestra groups and artists like Radiohead and Pink Floyd.

We're happy to hear ownership of the studios will not be changing hands anytime soon, and that the livelihood of the iconic edifice will be maintained for years to come.

via Discovery