Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Bid Farewell to Iconic 'Live' Studio After 37 Years

After nearly four decades at 7 Lincoln Square on Manhattan's Upper West Side, 'Live with Kelly and Mark' has filmed its final episode in the iconic studio. The show, a staple of daytime television, is relocating downtown to 7 Hudson Square, the new Walt Disney Company headquarters in NYC. This move aligns with Disney's strategy to consolidate its productions, with shows like 'The View' and 'The Tamron Hall Show' already operating from the new building, and 'Good Morning America' expected to follow.

The departure from the 67th St. and Columbus Ave. location is bittersweet for hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. The studio served as the backdrop for countless memories, not just professionally but personally. Kelly Ripa joined the show in 2001, co-hosting alongside Regis Philbin, Michael Strahan, and Ryan Seacrest before her husband, Mark, officially joined in 2023.

For the Consuelos family, the studio was more than just a workplace. Their three children – Michael (27), Lola (23), and Joaquin (22) – spent much of their childhood there, visiting their mother at work. Kelly emphasized how the environment allowed her to balance being a working woman and a mother. The connections formed extended beyond their immediate family, with many crew members becoming close friends, considered 'other moms' by their children.

Perhaps the most poignant personal story tied to the studio is its role in Kelly and Mark's relationship. The couple, who co-starred on 'All My Children', briefly broke up before their 1996 marriage. They were unexpectedly reunited days later when required to appear together on 'Live with Regis and Kathie Lee'. Seeing each other on that stage led them to reconcile immediately, eloping to Las Vegas the next day. 'We owe a lot to this place,' Ripa stated.

Why are Kelly and Mark moving the 'Live' studio?

The move is part of a larger Walt Disney Company initiative to centralize its New York City productions, including 'The View' and 'The Tamron Hall Show', at its new headquarters at 7 Hudson Square.

How long was 'Live' filmed at the old studio?

The show filmed at the 7 Lincoln Square studio on the Upper West Side for 37 years, hosting various hosts like Regis Philbin, Kathie Lee Gifford, Michael Strahan, and Ryan Seacrest before Mark Consuelos joined Kelly Ripa.

What is the personal significance of the old studio for Kelly and Mark?

Their three children grew up visiting the studio, and many staff members became close family friends. Significantly, the studio is where Kelly and Mark reunited after a brief breakup shortly before getting married in 1996.

The end of an era for a beloved show's home base! How much do you think the studio environment impacts a show like 'Live'? Let us know your thoughts!

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