The era when Ally Pally was home to the BBC, and a reminder of its days as a Victorian 'People's Palace,' have been unearthed during the latest renovations.

Workers have been restoring the dilapidated North East Office building at the Muswell Hill landmark since February, with the nine month project now nearing completion.

The office block - the last inaccessible part of the seven acre site - was used as far back as the Palace's opening in the 1870s, when it boasted a concert hall, art galleries, a museum, lecture hall, library, banqueting room and theatre.

The Alexandra Palace office building can be seen on the right behind the Lipton's Tea tram in this archive image from the 1920sThe Alexandra Palace office building can be seen on the right behind the Lipton's Tea tram in this archive image from the 1920s (Image: Alexandra Palace Trust)

The space housed the "offices of the administrators", a ticket office, porter’s facilities, costume room, and the Palace’s first Superintendent.

In 1935, part of Ally Pally was leased to the BBC who made the world's first public broadcasts of "high-definition" television from there the following year, and went on to use it for news broadcasts and prop storage.

From 1970 the block served as office space for the Open University but has lain empty since 1981.

Between 1970 and 1981 the offices were used by the BBC's Open University broadcast unit who likely sipped their coffee from this 60s-era cup.Between 1970 and 1981 the offices were used by the BBC's Open University broadcast unit who likely sipped their coffee from this 60s-era cup. (Image: Alexandra Palace Trust)

During the revamp - funded by £750,000 in Historic England grants - decayed brickwork, timber and roof lanterns have been removed, and new floors, walls and roof coverings installed.

Historic objects uncovered during the works include a Lipton's drinks bottle from around 1878, and an early example of a carbonated drinks bottle dating back 150 years.

It was made by Fitzrovia firm HD Rawlings which was later taken over by R Whites.

This 'Codd' bottle is an early example of a carbonated drinks bottle and was made by HD Rawlings who were later bought by R Whites of lemonade fame.This 'Codd' bottle is an early example of a carbonated drinks bottle and was made by HD Rawlings who were later bought by R Whites of lemonade fame. (Image: Alexandra Palace Trust)

There is also a BBC coffee cup with 1960s logo - likely used by the Open University production unit which broadcast educational programmes from Ally Pally's TV studios from 1971 to 1981.

Lastly and most mysteriously, a tiny wooden shoe has Palace staff scratching their heads about where it came from.

The repair work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The repair work has involved replacing walls, floors and the roof lanterns with the revamped office block due to be finished by the end of the year.The repair work has involved replacing walls, floors and the roof lanterns with the revamped office block due to be finished by the end of the year. (Image: Harbinson)

The charitable trust that runs Ally Pally will then decide how to use the building, although additional funds will be needed to restore the roof lanterns and put any plans in place.

The restoration is the next phase of a major programme that saw Alexandra Palace’s Victorian Theatre reopen in 2018 following 80 years of closure, alongside the transformation of the East Court.