Farewell to Bush House – in pictures

The Aldwych entrance to Bush House. On Thursday the BBC World Service will broadcast from the building for the last time
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Studio E6 stands idle
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

An auction will be held to dispose of the service's unwanted equipment
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

A wall map showing the whereabouts of BBC foreign correspondents
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

The building was commissioned, designed and originally owned by American individuals and companies. Irving T Bush gained approval for his designs for the building in 1919, which was planned as a major new trade centre and designed by American architect Harvey Wiley Corbett
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

The building's opening ceremony was performed by Lord Balfour on 4 July 1925. It included the unveiling of two statues at the entrance made by American artist Malvina Hoffman. The statues symbolise Anglo-American friendship and the building bears the inscription: "To the friendship of English-speaking peoples."
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Turntables ready to be sold off
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

A notice in the Russian service studio
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Built partly from Portland stone, in 1929 Bush House was declared the 'most expensive building in the world', having cost around £2m ($10m)
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

A lone figure in Bush House. The World Service's new home is in Broadcasting House
Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian