Molinare is committing its future to the traditional heart of London’s post-production sector by agreeing new long-term leases on two of its Soho buildings.

The 40-year-old company this week signed a 10-year lease on its Craven House building on Marshall Street in Soho, and is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement of similar length for Fouberts Place.

The decision bucks a recent trend of facilities moving out of Soho.

The Farm recently moved from Soho Square to a new site north of Oxford Street, while Broadcast is aware of several other facilities that are also considering leaving Soho.

Molinare managing director Julie Parmenter told Broadcast she had drawn up contingency plans in case the buildings were redeveloped, but after 18 months of negotiations with its landlords, the two parties reached an agreement.

She said: “95% of our sessions are attended by the client and the core of our drama and film clients still want to be in the heart of Soho, especially the US ones. They appreciate the village feel.”

Having secured the leases, Molinare will now conduct a ‘strategic review’ of its mix of services - particularly with 4K projects in mind - and upgrade three dubbing suites in Craven House.

Each of the sound studios will be expanded to allow for additional client areas and will be made suitable for 5.1 surround sound mixing.

A large ADR stage will be appended to one, while an existing voiceover booth will be stripped out and turned into a pre-mix area.

The overhaul will take 12 months. Molinare is currently signing off on suppliers and contractors for the project.

  • This article has been amended to remove a reference to Deluxe looking to relocate its creative businesses. While Deluxe had considered the move it has since stated that its creative services will remain in Soho.