The beloved afternoon show Live with Kelly and Mark wrapped up filming its final episode at its iconic Upper West Side studio, marking an emotional milestone before relocating to a new downtown venue. The last episode from the longtime studio aired on April 1, bringing an end to an era.
For 37 years, 7 Lincoln Square at the corner of 67th Street and Columbus Avenue had been the show’s home. Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford were the first of many cherished hosts to grace the set over the years.
Kelly Ripa, who became a constant presence on the program in 2001, has seen numerous co-host changes, including Michael Strahan and Ryan Seacrest following Philbin’s departure in 2011. As of April 2023, Ripa shares hosting duties with her husband, Mark Consuelos.
In an interview with PEOPLE, the couple reflected on the deep sentimental value of the studio, which represents not just the close of a chapter, but the start of a new one, even though Consuelos joined the hosting team only recently.
“This is where our children grew up,” Consuelos shared with PEOPLE. “Even when they were infants, they were always backstage, frequently visiting mom here.”
The couple, both 54, are the proud parents of three children—Michael, 27; Lola, 23; and Joaquin, 22.
Ripa added, “I had my children at a time when maternity leave wasn’t the norm. We were unprepared for that,” she said, noting that working with her kids was possible due to the flexible nature of the live show. “It’s rare to be able to work full-time and be a mother full-time, and I don’t take it for granted.”
The studio holds special significance for Ripa and Consuelos beyond their professional lives. In fact, it was in this very space that their relationship was reignited. In 1996, the couple briefly split, but fate brought them together again when they were unexpectedly booked as surprise guests on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee for a Mother’s Day tribute to an All My Children fan. Despite their reluctance, they both took the stage, and the moment rekindled their romance. The following day, Consuelos proposed, and they married shortly afterward in Las Vegas.
According to PEOPLE, Live with Kelly and Mark is among the last ABC shows to transition to the new 7 Hudson Square, the newly renovated headquarters of the Walt Disney Company in New York City.
Other shows, such as The View and The Tamron Hall Show, have already moved into the sleek, contemporary complex, officially known as The Robert A. Iger Building. By year’s end, Good Morning America is also expected to make the move.