The historic Abbey Road studios, which played their part in famed recordings from Elgar to The Beatles, were given listed building status.
The north London complex, recently the subject of unfounded speculation that they may be sold off, has been given Grade II status. The recognition is mainly for its key role in some of the most famous and influential albums of all time.
Abbey Road was the home for almost all Beatles recordings including the groundbreaking Revolver, as well as their final recordings which were named after the studio and featured a sleeve of the band crossing the street outside.
Other notable recordings included Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon.
Culture Minister Margaret Hodge listed the venue on the advice of English Heritage.
She said: "Music - of whichever genre - is the thread that follows us through all our lives and Abbey Road Studios have produced some of the very best music in the world."
"It's a testament to both the importance of music in people's lives as well as the passion this kind of issue stirs up, that so much interest has been generated by the perceived threat to the future of Abbey Road."
Listing for the property, whose official address is 3 Abbey Road, was granted due to its historic, rather than architectural, merit. The original interior was completely transformed when the cavernous studios were created in the 1930s.
Internal changes are not prohibited by the listing, but it means that future owners must be careful to make sure the character of the property is treated with respect.
The Department for Culture Media and Sport said that the listing acknowledged the studios' "outstanding cultural interest and to ensure that recording artists for generations to come can continue to make and record music in the same rooms as musical icons of years gone by".
Last week figures such as Sir Paul McCartney voiced their concern that EMI was reported to be hoping to sell the studios, while Andrew Lloyd Webber expressed an interest in buying the complex.
However, EMI later said it did not want to put the property up for sale.
An EMI spokesman said: "We welcome this preservation order. It recognises the unique cultural contribution that, together with the artists recording there, Abbey Road has made and continues to make."
© Press Association