London , England ( CNN ) -- The iconic Abbey Road Studios made famous by the Beatles are being declared a national historic landmark , British Culture Minister Margaret Hodge announced Tuesday . `` My favorite song of all time , 'If I fell ' by the Beatles , was recorded there in 1964 , and to have played a part in preserving this world-famous venue is as exciting for me as hearing that song for the first time . Well , almost ! '' Hodge said in a statement . `` Whether your tastes are for classical , hard rock or pop music , one of your favourites is more than likely to have recorded at Abbey Road , '' she added . The studios became an international cultural touchstone when the Beatles were photographed crossing the road there for the cover of their album `` Abbey Road . '' But it 's not only where the Beatles recorded `` All You Need is Love '' and numerous other songs , but where much of Britain 's best known music of the 20th century was laid down . Rock stars Pink Floyd and Cliff Richard , composer Sir Edward Elgar , and the movie soundtracks for `` Star Wars '' and the `` Harry Potter '' films were recorded there . Hodge declared the site in west London a Grade II listed building based on its `` outstanding cultural interest . '' The classification means that `` although changes to the interior are not prohibited , care must be taken to ensure that any alterations with respect to its character and interest are fully considered , '' the ministry said . There was intense speculation last week that the studios were for sale , but the owner shot down the notion on Sunday . The music label that owns them is seeking a partner to help pay for upgrades , according to Terra Firma , which controls record label EMI , the owner of the recording studios . `` EMI confirms that it is holding preliminary discussions for the revitalization of Abbey Road with interested and appropriate third parties , '' Terra Firma said Sunday . But that does not mean the studios are for sale , it added . `` In mid-2009 , we did receive an offer to buy Abbey Road for in excess of £30 million ( currently about $ 46 million ) , but this was rejected since we believe that Abbey Road should remain in EMI 's ownership , '' the music company said in a statement . The company said Sunday it supported the listing of the building as a historic landmark , before the culture ministry 's announcement . Terra Firma bought EMI in 2007 . Andrew Lloyd Webber , the composer of `` Phantom of the Opera '' and `` Cats '' and one of Britain 's richest men , is `` very interested '' in buying the studios , a representative said Friday . `` He first recorded there in 1967 with Tim Rice . Andrew has since recorded most of his musicals there , '' said the representative , Jenni Pain . `` He thinks it is vital that the studios are saved for the future of the music industry in the UK . Abbey Road has such great facilities , with three major recording studios , and Andrew has probably brought more musicians to record there than anyone else , because it has the capacity to record large orchestral productions . '' CNN 's Per Nyberg and Morgan Neill contributed to this report .
Abbey Road Studios given Grade II listed building status for `` outstanding cultural interest '' The studios ' owner is the Beatles Estate Trust and they have been working on a project to restore it. Speculation was rife that the studios made famous by Beatles would be sold . Much of Britain 's best known music of 20 century has been recorded there .