Battersea Power Station Ready For Its Big Reveal
Complete with a free festival celebrating the historic occasion
The real thing can now be spied at the top of the North West Tower. Picture: WilkinsonEyre
The Power Station amid its newly landscaped exterior. Picture: Battersea Power Station Development Company
It’s been nearly forty years since Battersea Power Station was decommissioned and now, after almost a decade of redevelopment, the London icon is finally ready for visitors.
On Friday October 14th the Power Station opens to the public, its restored interiors complete with shops, restaurants, leisure venues and bars.
Simon Murphy, Chief Executive Officer at Battersea Power Station Development Company, said, “The countdown is well and truly on. To mark such a momentous occasion, we are hosting the Festival of Power which will be an opportunity for Londoners, the local and wider community, as well visitors from across the world, to experience this iconic building for the very first time. It’s going to be a truly memorable occasion, with something for everyone.”
The Festival of Power, which runs from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th October and Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd October, will be free to everyone. Headlining on the evening of October 14th is the ‘Lords of Lightning’ show (see above) which will be performing a short duelling spectacle involving multi-million-volt bolts being fired between the two ‘Lords’ at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm in the riverside Power Station Park below the north chimney. Other family-friendly events on the evening of the 14th include walkabout performers, acrobats and brand activations.
Lords of Lightning. Picture: Arcadia Spectacular Ltd
Further highlights of the free Festival of Power include a special performance from the Battersea Power Station Community Choir, ‘Emerge Showcase’ from the World Heart Beat Music Academy featuring up and coming local talent aged 16 – 25 from the Battersea and Nine Elms area, and the Setia Drummers, a troupe of Malaysian musicians giving a nod to one of the Power Station’s investors, the Malaysian property developer SP Setia.
Local radio station, Riverside Radio, will also be broadcasting live from the site, and the Bright Sparks Trail – a new trail app which leads users through the history of the Power Station – launches in time for the opening. Budding musicians can even enjoy their own moment in the spotlight, with a ‘people’s piano’ located inside Turbine Hall B which is free for visitors to play.
The official countdown to the Power Station opening its doors is from 10am on October 14th and will take place in Malaysia Square to the south of the Grade II* listed building. British and international brands will be opening up shop inside the Power Station’s restored and repurposed Turbine Halls. New stores opening from October include both high street and luxury brands such as Ralph Lauren, Uniqlo, Mulberry, Lacoste, Mango, Polestar, Aēsop, Space NK, Ace + Tate, lululemon, Hugo Boss and Jo Malone London.
A new neighbourhood bookstore, Battersea Bookshop, comes from specialist bookseller Stanfords and there’s a pop-up from Curated Makers, hosting more than forty local independent small businesses selling homeware, candles, clothing, artwork and more.
Electric Boulevard, the new pedestrian-only street which runs just south of the Power Station, will also open to the public. Brands already announce to be opening on Electric Boulevard from October 14th include ZARA, Korean food outlet Oseyo, David Clulow opticians and a new concept M&S Food Hall. London fitness brand, Third Space, plans to open a 28,000 square foot club in 2023.
Ahead of its opening, the Power Station was removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register last winter. Power Station Chief Executive, Simon Murphy, said at the time, “Following several years of careful and complex restoration, we are delighted that the Power Station has been removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. Working with a Grade II* listed building is not without its challenges, however as custodians of the Power Station our shareholders and all of the team are extremely proud to have brought one of the capital’s greatest icons back to life and futureproofing it for generations to come.
“We have worked closely with Historic England, Wandsworth Council, and heritage architects Purcell and WilkinsonEyre to ensure that the building was treated sensitively and with the respect it deserves throughout the restoration process.”
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