David Gilmour – Astoria Houseboat Studio
Home / Photos / David Gilmour Photos / David Gilmour’s Astoria Recording Studio
David Gilmour, the legendary guitarist of Pink Floyd, turned an antique houseboat into a unique recording studio called Astoria. Built in 1911 for impresario Fred Karno, the boat was originally designed to host a 90-piece orchestra on its deck. Gilmour purchased it in 1986 and transformed it into a floating studio.
Astoria is moored on the River Thames at Hampton, London, and offers a beautiful, scenic environment with plenty of natural light. This picturesque setting has influenced the sound and atmosphere of several Pink Floyd albums, including “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” (1987), “The Division Bell” (1994), and “The Endless River” (2014). Gilmour’s solo albums, such as “On an Island” (2006) and “Rattle That Lock” (2015), were also recorded and mixed there.
The studio is equipped with high-quality recording gear, including ATC main monitors, active speakers, a subwoofer, and a Neve 88R mixing console. Despite its vintage charm, Astoria has provided a comfortable and inspiring space for Gilmour’s creative work.