The huge industrial building on the south bank of the Thames in southwest London is impressive. With its four massive chimneys touching the sky and over 24,000 m2: above ground, Battersea Power Station is a place steeped in history. It was from there that the power supply for Buckingham Palace was supplied, as well as that for the “Houses of Parliament”, the Palace of Westminster. Places have also left their mark in pop culture. they have served as the backdrop for various artistic, musical and cinematic works, such as the album cover. animals by Pink Floyd, released in 1977.
Although in its heyday Battersea Power Station supplied up to a fifth of London’s electricity, it went through years of obscurity after it closed in 1983, lying idle for nearly 30 years. Then in 2012, the site was finally taken over by a consortium of Malaysian investors. The latter are then responsible for giving the place a new reason for existence; Battersea Power Station will now act as a hub of activity for the entire borough, giving it a new appeal and transforming it into a unifying place for living. A welcome boost for this less visible (and less busy) area than its posh neighbors on the opposite bank, Chelsea and Pimlico.
A new business center for the Southeast
Until now, London’s two largest shopping centers were Westfield centres, located in the east and west ends of the capital respectively. Apart from department stores, they had no equivalent in the center. It’s enough to make customers living in the Southeast spend long minutes on the subway for the convenience of one-stop shopping.
Like the opening of the Coal Drops Yard in late 2018 in St Pancras (again in restored old warehouses), the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station is reshaping the cards, with a hybrid and high-end venue combining commercial space, food and residential areas. and office space. The shopping offer includes mass market brands (Uniqlo, Mango, Nike), more specialized stores, but also luxury boutiques (Cartier, Rolex). Office-wise, Apple has just established its London campus on the site of a former power station.
In terms of catering, the incomparable Gordon Ramsay stands out, who also opened a pizzeria in the new Circus West Village. Adjacent to the power station, this site, completed in 2017, overlooks the River Thames. Finally, the control room of this legendary power plant will become a bar (which will open soon), and the second one has been converted into an event room. Note that the control panels have been preserved.
Luxury hotel
As well as restaurants, bars, a cinema and other entertainment venues, Battersea Power Station and its new surrounding area will become a residential area in its own right. So there is a complex of apartments in the Power Station, from studios to luxury villas roof privacy and stunning views over the London skyline and famous Power Station chimneys. New buildings have also sprung up around it, located on the brand new Electric Boulevard (we’ll appreciate the name), construction of which began in 2015. Finally, a luxury hotel, art’otel, will be opened very soon.
Practical notebook
MARK
While most stores will open before Christmas, the Arcade Food Hall will open in 2023, as will the gym.
GO
The sites are served by Tube, Battersea Power Station, a brand new extension to the Northern Line, opening in 2021. You can also get there by the river via city transport boats.
Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW8 5BN
Source: Le Figaro
