PROJECT: BATTERSEA POWER STATION, LONDON

Work began in 2013 on the 80th anniversary of this iconic power house. It has taken the developers eight long years to painstakingly restore and renovate the empty shell of South London’s former power station into a state of the art retail and leisure destination. For nearly four decades Battersea Power Station had lain empty and disregarded, a highlight of most Londoners’ commute into and out of the city. Having been born, raised and lived in South London for much of my adult life, I am delighted to see this old workhorse serving its local community once more.

It has to be one of the best, if not the best mixed use retail development to date. Not least because the Grade II listed building has been fully replenished in all its former glory. Unbelievably, the construction team completely dismantled the four chimneys before rebuilding each one in the exact same method and with the same combination of concrete and steel reinforcement. They were even painted to match the original colour. This is clearly a labour of love and one which comprises many other factors.

In addition to the historic building, the developers created a new pedestrianised high street, Electric Boulevard that links Battersea with its very own, brand new tube station – the northern line was extended so that it is now within easy reach of central London (just 15 minutes). In fact, the 42 acre site has: 25,000 people living and working onsite within newly formed retail, leisure, office and culture, 250 shops, a 24,000 square feet food hall, 9 acres of public space, 6 acres of public park, 450 metres of river frontage, and 20,000 new jobs were established. The entire project is outstanding; the modern architecture and landscaping that surround the monolith create a shining centrepiece of a new town centre for London.

Its many attributes don’t stop here, because in addition to the chimney restoration, inside the walls of this defining landmark the two Turbine Halls, Control Rooms and Boiler House have also been equally lovingly revamped.

The retail stores are all based within the now three storey turbine halls which have been sympathetically renovated in a refined industrial style that both complements Battersea’s heritage and acknowledges our modern love affair with contemporary design. These magnificent structures reveal incredible height and a raw, energised vibe. Within both halls a series of bridges, walkways and escalators leading up from the ground floor have been finished with dark, angular metalwork and connect the various retail outlets on different levels. Inside Turbine Hall B, the 1950s extension concrete flooring with ceramic tile insets, exposed steel girders and cranes emphasise its industrial qualities and brutalist design. The enclosed roof has been illuminated with coloured lighting for added drama. Whilst in Hall A, original herringbone parquet flooring and a decorative skylight complete with struts and straps which stretches the entire length of the hall, play homage to its 1930s Art Deco era. The glass roof allows natural light to permeate the interior adding a sense of tranquillity to the polished urban look. The turbine halls once responsible for powering London’s electric are now oiling the wheels of its retail.

Battersea has an unsurprisingly impressive line-up of global players that adorn its manicured malls:

Breitling, Calvin Klein, Jo Malone, Kiehls, L’Occitane, Ralph Lauren, Rayban, Tommy Hilfiger and Watches of Switzerland to name but a few. All don their most glamorous and glitzy products and environments for the public’s perusal. Here, in this once derelict site lies the crème de la crème of retail.

The dining offer is equally sublime. Located within the old Boiler House, it brings an eclectic mix of worldwide cuisine to an excited and insatiable audience. Having also been thoughtfully revitalised complete with all its original features, the Boiler House is so vast that St Paul’s cathedral would fit within it. The 24,000 square foot eatery encompasses Clean Kitchen Club, Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, Le Bab, Poke House, Where the Pancakes Are and many more tasty treats. In addition, the former Control Rooms have been sympathetically restored and retain all their stainless steel control panels and switch dials that managed the flow of electricity. Today, Control Room A is a cool events space loaded with historical interest and B has been converted into a trendy bar. Customers can look out over the retail fair of the Turbine Hall whilst sipping a Battersea Power Station inspired cocktail and being fully immersed in the nostalgic ambience.

Finally, your shopping trip would not be complete without a glass elevator ride inside one of the chimneys - the London skyline on view at the top is well worth the effort. Battersea Power Station Development Company has delivered an unbeatable retail extravaganza that fuses together the old and the new. In doing so, it has secured the survival of one of the UKs best loved landmarks, its 80 year history and a little pocket of the city that lies south of the Thames.