Aerial view of Battersea Power Station, Battersea, London.
Cover Aerial view of Battersea Power Station, Battersea, London.

As the much-awaited Battersea Power Station opens to the public on October 14, we take a closer look at the impressive project and discover some of its highlights for a visitor

One of central London’s most significant, most innovative, and certainly most eagerly anticipated developments, Battersea Power Station (BPS) has transformed a vast 42-acre former industrial brownfield site into a vibrant neighbourhood for living, working, and playing. Over 19 acres of it is a public space.

Owned by a consortium of Malaysian investors comprising PNB, Sime Darby Property, S P Setia and the Employees’ Provident Fund, the development has been making news halfway across the globe for its scale and ambition. 

The project is divided into eight phases, each designed by a range of specialist architects. They include SimpsonHaugh and Partners and De Rijke Marsh Morgan (dRMM) in Phase 1, who handled Circus West Village comprising residences and an eclectic mix of independent and design-led bars, restaurants, shops, fitness and leisure facilities, a cinema, a theatre and an ongoing events programme. Circus West Village commenced construction in 2013, opened in 2017, and is now home to over 1,800 people.

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Above Battersea Power Station Underground Station. Photo: Brendan Bell

Phase 2 of the development is the refurbishment and transformation of the power station itself into a mixed-use destination. Stirling Prize-winning London architecture firm, WilkinsonEyre, who has gained international renown with projects like the Cooled Conservatories at Singapore's Gardens by the Bay, oversaw this project phase. 

One of the overriding design principles in the proposal was to preserve and showcase as much of the original power station—and pay homage to its heritage and the vision of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott – by exposing more of the listed fabric while creating new and dramatic spaces within the building to excite and delight visitors. 

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The Power Station houses 254 apartments, over 100 shops, restaurants and cafes, an events venue, and the new offices of Apple and SharkNinja.

Officially opening on October 14, here is a list of things to see, do, shop and eat and drink at London's hottest new destination.

Shopping

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Above Retail at Battersea Power Station

From fashion to food, Battersea Power Station is a shopping mecca. Brands include Uniqlo, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, The Kooples, Ray-Ban, L’Occitane, Gant, The Body Shop, Lacoste, Aēsop, Mango, Reiss, Le Labo, Hugo Boss, MAC Cosmetics, Space NK, Jo Malone London, Kiehl’s Since 18, Superdry, Theory, Hackett, and Lululemon, to name but a few. High-street favourite, Zara, will also open its first Central London store south of the river on Electric Boulevard.

Royal Selangor will fly the flag for Malaysian craftsmanship at the Battersea Power Station. To mark the launch of the new outlet, it will introduce an exclusive Battersea capsule collection, which pays tribute to the building's rich industrial and architectural heritage.

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Above Battersea Power Station Circus West Station

Take the time to visit Battersea Bookshop, a new standalone neighbourhood bookshop from specialist bookseller Stanfords. The unique concept will have a curated collection of art, architecture, and design books in a modern, minimalist store to honour the history and architecture of its home.

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Eat and Drink

Control Room B is London’s most unique all-day cocktail bar experience. The 180-seater bar overlooks one of the two giant Turbine Halls, and guests will have the chance to get a close-up view of the Control Room’s original dials, control desks, and switchgear racks that have been restored to their former glory. Taking pride of place in the room is a beautiful centrepiece bar, which is a turbine-inspired radial sculpture that pays tribute to the character and form of Battersea Power Station’s electric history.

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From doughnuts to dim sum, the F&B offerings at Battersea Power Station and Circus West Village run the gamut with familiar names like Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza and Leon to look forward to. Shout out to Malaysian representation in the form of Roti King, bringing authentic Malaysian dishes created and curated by head chef and owner Sugen Gopal, south of the river.

Award-winning London restaurant group JKS Restaurants who are behind Michelin-starred Sabor and Kitchen Table, will be opening a 24,000 sq ft Arcade Food Hall in the Boiler House at the heart of the Power Station in 2023. The food hall will feature several new JKS brands and three standalone restaurants, including award-winning Taiwanese restaurant BAO.

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See and Do

Catch a movie at The Cinema In The Power Station, offering an elevated viewing experience in a state-of-the-art Dolby cinema complete with sumptuous reclining seats, fine wines, champagnes, craft beers, house-made cocktails, popcorn, sweet and savoury treats. An exclusive private members' bar and restaurant adjacent to the cinema opens later this year.

Get fit at Be Military Fit with Bear Grylls, where you'll be trained by leaders in outdoor fitness or look forward to BXR London, the world’s first and foremost elite boxing-gym concept, which will open in 2023.

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Check out Lift 109, a unique chimney lift experience offering 360-degree panoramic views of London’s skyline from a height of over 109m.

Also, don't forget to take a peek at Malaysia Square, which sits at the heart of the development at the southern entrance to the Power Station. The public square design showcases the uniqueness of Malaysia’s culture, diversity and heritage, while also encapsulating the important links between Malaysia and the UK.

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