Wave Studios London Closes After 27 Years as Founder Cites Industry Shifts and Rising Costs

Wave Studios, one of London’s most respected sound houses, has announced the immediate closure of its Great Pulteney Street office after 27 years in operation. Founder Warren Lloyd Hamilton confirmed the news on LinkedIn, citing mounting financial pressures and rapid changes in post-production workflows as key factors.

“Sadly, after many years at the top of the tree it seems the burdens of today's life and working practices have finally got the best of Wave London,” Warren wrote. “Sadly, we can't make the books balance for our premises in Great Pulteney Street any more and will be closing the London office forthwith.”

The decision marks a significant moment in a post-production landscape that has seen considerable churn in recent years, including high-profile restructures and the closure – and subsequent re-launch – of The Mill. Rising overheads, shifting client expectations, and the widespread adoption of hybrid and remote pipelines have placed pressure on many long-established facilities.

Despite the closure, Warren emphasised that the Wave brand is not disappearing. He and longtime partner Johnnie Burn are exploring plans to relaunch the London operation in the future, complementing the company’s still-thriving New York office led by Aaron Reynolds. “We will come back fighting at some point, you can be assured of that,” he said.

Wave Studios has been a fixture of the UK advertising and film industries since its founding in 1999, earning an international reputation for craft-driven sound design and mixing. Over nearly three decades, the studio collected a long list of honours, including Pencils, Arrows, Fellowships and, notably, an Academy Award.

Warren reflected warmly on the studio’s legacy, thanking the artists, clients, and collaborators who helped shape Wave’s identity. “The past 27 years have been a hoot. Loads of stories, loads of legends and loads of laughs,” he wrote. “We love everyone who has been a part of Wave since we opened in 1999, and we hope to be working with you, in some capacity, again in the future.”

He invited anyone with questions about the closure to reach out directly, adding that the announcement is “Au revoir, not Adieu”, a nod to the resilience he believes will carry Wave into its next chapter.