Battersea Power Station open to the public after 10 year redevelopment

Battersea Power Station has opened its doors to the public for the first time in history today after a 10 year redevelopment project.

The 1930s Grade II* listed building once supplied a fifth of the capital’s electricity, including to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.

The building was decommissioned in 1983 and during the years that followed, several failed attempts were made to redevelop the site.

But now, almost 40 years after the lights were switched off, it has reopened today (Friday October 14) as a glitzy hub of offices, flats, restaurants and shops.

Around 100 new shops will be housed in the Power Station’s two newly restored, historic Turbine Halls.

Turbine Hall A reflects the lavish Art Deco glamour of the 1930s when the Power Station was built.

Whereas Turbine Hall B which was completed in the 1950s, has more of a brutalist, industrial look and feel.

Inside the Turbine Halls, shoppers will find an array of British and international brands, many of which will open with the building’s unveiling – to be followed by plenty more in the ensuing months.

The Boiler House, will be home to a 24,000 square foot Arcade Food Hall and will open next year.

The Power Station’s two Control Rooms, which managed the distribution of power from Carnaby Street to Wimbledon - even powering Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament - have also been fully restored.

Control Room A is set to become a unique events space, while Control Room B has been transformed into a new all-day bar, where patrons will be able to get up close and personal with the Control Room’s original dials and controls.

Also opening inside the Power Station will be a host of entertainment venues, including The Cinema at the Power Station.

Hosting a private members club, it will also screen Hollywood blockbusters on state-of-the-art screens.

Electric Boulevard, a new high street for the local community, will also open on October 14.

The new high street will offer a mix of bars and restaurants, office space, shops, a park, community hub and a new 164 room hotel.

Visitors will also be able to take a lift 109m up to the top of one of the chimneys, to catch panoramic views of London’s skylines.

Simon Murphy, chief executive officer at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), said: “It has taken a lot of hard work, determination, and the continued commitment of the Malaysian Shareholders over the past ten years to bring Battersea Power Station back to its former glory.

“Announcing that we will be opening the building to the public for the first time in history in just over a month’s time is a monumental moment for the project.

“We can’t wait to welcome the first visitors, and show the local community, Londoners, and the rest of the world, the historic beauty of the Grade II* listed building, which has been transformed into London’s most unique destination for all to enjoy.”

Sebastien Ricard, project director for WilkinsonEyre architects, who undertook the £9bn redevelopment told LondonWorld: “The most exciting thing about this opening is that everybody knows about Battersea Power Station but very few people have been inside the building.

“We got involved through a competition in 2013 and we have developed and redesigned the project since then.

“It’s an exciting moment for us, that’s for sure.”

To celebrate the public opening of the historic Power Station, a free ‘Festival of Power’, will take place on October 14-16 and October 22-23, with live performances and installations.