A Bittersweet Goodbye: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Reflect on Live’s Iconic Studio Move

For nearly four decades, the legendary studio at 7 Lincoln Square has been the heart and soul of Live with Kelly and Mark (and its previous iterations). This beloved location—tucked into the Upper West Side at 67th St. and Columbus Ave.—has seen television history unfold. It’s where Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford entertained millions, where Kelly Ripa first took her seat as co-host in 2001, and where some of the most candid and heartfelt moments in daytime television have played out.

But all great chapters eventually turn their final page. The show recently filmed its last-ever episode in this historic space before moving to a brand-new downtown home. And as the final lights dimmed, emotions ran high, especially for Kelly Ripa and her husband/co-host, Mark Consuelos.

A Studio That Felt Like Home

For the Consuelos family, this studio wasn’t just a workplace—it was a second home. Kelly and Mark have spent countless hours here, not just as co-hosts, but as a family.

"Our kids grew up here," Mark told PEOPLE in an emotional interview, just moments after taping the last episode in the iconic space. "They'd come visit mom here a lot — they were always backstage, even when they were babies."

Ripa and Consuelos, both 54, share three children—Michael (27), Lola (23), and Joaquin (22)—who were practically raised within these walls.

"They came to work with me every day until they went to school," Ripa recalled. "They would go to All My Children with me, they would come here with me... when we say they grew up in this building, we mean it."

The studio wasn’t just a place of work for Ripa—it was a lifeline. Back in the early 2000s, maternity leave wasn’t as structured as it is today, and finding a balance between career and motherhood was no easy task.

"You have to remember, I had my kids back in a time when maternity leave was not really a thing; we didn't really know how to negotiate that or navigate that," she explained. "But the good news is you could bring your kids to work with you. And because this is a live morning show with mindful hours, I was able to be a full-time working woman and a full-time mother simultaneously. That's a rare privilege, and I don’t take it for granted."

More Than Just Colleagues—A Family

Beyond being the foundation for their careers, the Live studio was also a place where deep friendships were built. The bonds created here weren’t just between coworkers—they were between family members.

"Some of our closest friends are people that work here," Mark shared. "We're a family at Live, and growing up, those were some of the people our kids were closest to."

Kelly nodded in agreement. "Yeah, my kids have full text chains with some of the people here," she revealed. "Lola doesn't see some of our producers as just producers; she looks at them as other moms. These are the people she and my sons could go to if I was on set and they needed something. That kind of connection is special."

Their memories within these walls run deep, and leaving behind such a significant chapter of their lives is no easy feat. But for Kelly and Mark, there’s one moment in particular that makes this studio even more meaningful.

The Stage That Rekindled Their Love

Before they were co-hosts, before they were even married, Kelly and Mark had a rough patch in their relationship. In 1996, the couple had actually broken up—but fate had other plans.

Just days after their split, both Kelly and Mark were booked to appear on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee as surprise guests for a Mother’s Day segment featuring an All My Children fan. Neither of them wanted to show up, but neither could get out of it.

"We had to be here," Mark remembered. "And we both tried to get out of it, but we both ended up being here on this stage."

What happened next changed everything. Seeing each other under those studio lights made Mark realize he’d made a terrible mistake.

"Obviously, seeing her, it was like, ‘This is the worst decision of my life. I have to be with her forever,’" he admitted. "And I asked her to marry me, and we flew to Vegas the next day."

Kelly laughed as she recalled the moment. "Isn’t that wild?" she said. "So we owe a lot to this place. And it's going to be hard to replicate."

A New Chapter at 7 Hudson Square

Now, Live with Kelly and Mark is moving to 7 Hudson Square, a sleek and modern new space that is part of The Walt Disney Company’s massive new headquarters in downtown NYC.

Named The Robert A. Iger Building, this cutting-edge facility is already home to other major ABC shows like The View and The Tamron Hall Show. By the end of the year, Good Morning America is also expected to make the move.

While the new studio offers state-of-the-art technology and a fresh look, saying goodbye to the place that held 37 years of memories is undeniably bittersweet.

For Kelly and Mark, this transition isn’t just about switching studios—it’s about closing a significant chapter of their lives. But as they step onto their new set, one thing remains unchanged: their infectious energy, their warmth, and the undeniable chemistry that keeps viewers tuning in, day after day.

The location may be different, but the magic of Live with Kelly and Mark? That will always stay the same.