The Battersea Power Station, the upside-down table to some, the cover of Pink Floyd’s album (Animals) to others, and the “Temple of Power” to tabloids in the 1930s, is re-opening today. Here’s some history on this London monument.
The literal powerhouse behind London
We've starred the Battersea Power Station on our Google My Maps map of Friday Fun Facts.
Battersea Power Station was revolutionary – the first of its kind, and the largest power station in the UK with a 42 acre site (over 8 million sq ft or roughly 29 football pitches). It’s also one of the largest brick buildings in the world. The station’s towering chimneys were so high that RAF pilots in WWII were able to use the plumes of white vapour to guide them home. When operational, the Battersea Power Station supplied a fifth of London’s electricity.
The glamorous Art Deco interiors were designed by Sir Giles Scott, famed architect of the Waterloo Bridge, the Tate Modern and London’s iconic red telephone boxes. The renovation design is by Rafael Viñoly, known by Londoners for his work on 20 Fenchurch Street (or the “Walkie-Talkie” to some).
Energising the neighbourhood
Work began in 2012 to redevelop the whole Battersea Power Station site, creating an entire neighbourhood with homes, shopping, cafes and restaurants, cinemas and even a venue.
Nam Nguyen, the Sales Manager at Battersea, said, "We’re excited to see the grand opening of the power station and see such an iconic Grade II listed London building get put to great use once again. Battersea has been rising in popularity over recent years, as projects like this make it such an exciting place for young families and young professionals to live in. If you haven’t seen the area around the Battersea Power Station, you should come check it out."
See property for sale around Battersea Power Station – including a few homes at the station!
