Albert Square Within The EastEnders Set
In reality, the exterior set for the fictional Albert Square is located in the permanent backlot of the BBC Borehamwood building, near to Elstree Studios Hertfordshire, at 51°39′32″N 0°16′40″W / 51.65889°N 0.27778°W / 51.65889; -0.27778Coordinates: 51°39′32″N 0°16′40″W / 51.65889°N 0.27778°W / 51.65889; -0.27778.
The set is outdoors and open to the weather. The main buildings on the square consist of hollow shells, constructed from marine plywood facades mounted onto steel frames. The lower walls, pavements etc. are constructed of real brick and tarmac. The walls were intentionally built crooked in order to give them an aged appearance. The drains around the set are real in order for rain water to naturally flow from the streets. The square was built in two phases with only three sides being built plus Bridge Street to begin with in 1984, in time to be used for the show's first episode, which was aired on 19 February 1985. The fourth side of the square plus further expansion to the exterior set was completed in 1987. None of the buildings on Albert Square have any interior filming space, and most don't have rears or gardens. The grocery shop was originally open fronted, it was turned into a closed front shop, with removable interior walls to allow for filming inside the shop when the set was expanded in 1987. The cafe also has some interior decoration so some limited filming can take place by the door.
The set was expanded further to include George Street, more shops and the tube station in 1992 in order to create further locations when EastEnders went from two to three episodes per week in 1993. The newer exterior sets including Fish & Chip shop, video shop and beauty salon have some interior filming space to create a greater sense of realism. As the show is filmed up to six weeks in advance, the trees need to have extra leaves stuck on them during the spring to make them look like they would in summer.
In February 2008 it was reported that Albert Square would transfer to Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, where a new set will be built as the current set is looking rather shabby, with its flaws showing up on High-definition television broadcasts. However, by April 2010 a followup report confirmed that Albert Square would remain at Elstree Studios for at least another four years, taking the set through its 25th anniversary.
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