After extensive renovations, the Battersea Power Station, located in southwest London, has finally reopened its doors in 2021, transformed into a massive shopping and leisure complex.
Thousands of curious onlookers flocked to witness one of the most significant commercial projects to grace London in decades. And the day before the grand opening, the King of Malaysia himself was present to kick off the festivities.
The inauguration took place nearly 40 years after the building ceased to function as a power station, amidst multiple false starts (and owners), and fears that the site would fall into ruin. In the end, the Malaysian consortium that acquired the site spent £9 billion (€10.4 billion) to turn Battersea into a unique commercial destination.
Among the tenants of the premises, one can mention the label Calvin Klein, which has opened its brand-new lifestyle store in a 250-square-meter space. The collections are accompanied by digital screens and a lounge area. To reinforce the brand’s presence, customized Calvin Klein kiosks will be set up around Battersea Power Station (BPS) by the end of the month, distributing a special edition magazine created with The Perfect Magazine, featuring Battersea’s local communities and a selection of Calvin Klein’s latest collection.
The sports offering at BPS is significant, represented by brands such as Adidas, Lululemon, Sweaty Betty, and Nike, whose presence encapsulates the approach of many brands, allocating special resources to this new space. Nike by Battersea is only the second “Live” showcase of the Swoosh brand in London.
Located on Electric Boulevard, the store offers, in addition to a “curated assortment” of sportswear, footwear, and accessories, personalized services and invitations to weekly sports events.
Turbina Hall A, Battersea Power Station
The London source of power since 1933
Since 1933, a Source of Power for a Part of London: The “Cathedral of Electricity” brought to life by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, which, with its billowing fumes during World War II, became a guiding beacon for British fighter pilots navigating through London’s notorious fog, has remained a legendary landmark for the English. Despite its seemingly uncool function and years of closure, the power station has held a mythical allure. Such was the fascination that in 2013, when the plant reopened exceptionally for a London Open House event, an astounding 40,000 people queued up just to catch a glimpse of the turbine hall.
In the midst of war and history, this monumental structure has stood as an iconic symbol of London’s industrial might. Now, after years of silence, it’s ready to tell its stories once again. With whispers of its reopening circulating, anticipation is building, and Londoners are eager to immerse themselves in the past and witness the power station’s resurrection.
This powerhouse of energy has been more than just a utility. It’s been a lighthouse guiding brave pilots through the perilous skies, a monument of engineering marvel, and a testament to the resilience of a nation. And now, as it throws open its doors once more, the public can’t wait to rediscover the secrets held within the walls of this architectural wonder.
Get ready to step back in time and experience the history and grandeur of the “Cathedral of Electricity.” The long wait is over, and soon the turbine hall will welcome visitors, breathing life back into an iconic piece of London’s past. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary journey through time, as the Battersea Power Station reclaims its spot as a beloved legend in the heart of London.
Pink Floyd and Battersea Power station: The Story
The story of the Pink Floyd pig balloon and the Battersea Power Station is one of the most iconic and memorable moments in music history. It all began during the creation of Pink Floyd’s album “Animals,” released in 1977. The album was known for its thought-provoking lyrics and extended instrumental passages, reflecting the band’s progressive rock style.
For the album cover, the band wanted something visually striking that would capture the essence of the music. They turned to the iconic Battersea Power Station in London, an enormous decommissioned coal-fired power station that had become a prominent landmark on the city’s skyline.
To bring their vision to life, the band enlisted the help of artist Roger Waters and the design group Hipgnosis. The idea was to have an inflatable pig balloon floating above the power station, creating a surreal and captivating image.
On December 2, 1976, the photo shoot for the album cover took place. The massive inflatable pig, adorned with political slogans and the band’s name, was tethered to the ground while a helicopter captured the scene from above. However, things didn’t go as planned, and during the photoshoot, the pig broke free from its restraints and flew away, much to the surprise of the onlookers.
The pig floated over London and caused a brief sensation, with authorities and pilots receiving reports of a flying pig. Eventually, the pig deflated and landed in a field in Kent, where it was recovered by the band.
The incident added to the mystique of the album and became a significant moment in Pink Floyd’s history. The image of the floating pig became a symbol of the band’s artistic vision and rebellious spirit.
To this day, the Battersea Power Station and the flying pig are associated with Pink Floyd’s “Animals” album, serving as a reminder of the band’s groundbreaking music and their ability to push artistic boundaries. The power station itself has since undergone various changes, including redevelopment projects, but the memory of the iconic pig balloon continues to be a cherished part of music and cultural history.
Battersea Power Station and the Art: Mr Brainwash
Pop Art Phenomenon Mr Brainwash has taken a flight from LA to London for the launch at Clarendon Fine Art in the Iconic Power Station.
Renowned French street artist, also known as Thierry Guetta, geared up to make a grand entrance at the Battersea Power Station in London with an eagerly awaited show. The much-anticipated event was a success.
Guetta’s connection to the iconic building runs deep, as evidenced by his previous artistic endeavors. In 2021, he unveiled a massive mural on the premises to commemorate the launch of the Battersea Power Station Underground. The occasion was celebrated with a dazzling light show illuminating the Power Station itself and the introduction of the striking Life is Beautiful sculpture. Now, that very mural takes pride of place inside the Grade II* listed building, heightening excitement for his triumphant return to Battersea.
Art enthusiasts and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the momentous showcase, which promises to be a fusion of bold, vibrant pop art and the historic setting of the iconic power station. With a talented artist like Guetta at the helm, this exhibition is poised to captivate and inspire attendees from all walks of life.
The event has been a unique opportunity to witness the intersection of contemporary art and history at the Clarendon Fine Art in Battersea Power Station.
Nike
Essentially, it is Nike’s first “Live” store in the UK to have a community platform. Members can enjoy bi-weekly running sessions, yoga workouts, and other workshops led by Nike trainers, and the space will also be utilized to offer activities with local community partners.
Gant is also present, presenting a new retail concept, the first of its kind in the UK. It is a modern interpretation of the brand’s heritage, dating back to the East Coast university campuses in the 1950s.
The materials draw inspiration from mid-century interiors, with solid walnut panels on the walls and travertine floors beneath large, soft rugs. Much of the furniture is cherry wood, and the decor is punctuated by satin-finished steel.
Electric Boulevard is also home to the new Zara, the largest store ever opened by the Spanish group Inditex in the UK. Spread over two floors, it stands directly in front of the power station complex, in a building designed by Frank Gehry.
Gant
The enormous store showcases Zara’s entire offering, including its “Home” line, in a space centered around technology.
Customers can access a fitting room reservation service, collect online orders within two hours, scan and pay for items with their phone, and conduct online searches to check store inventory, among other features.
Uniqlo sees this boutique as a flagship store, equipped with the Uniqlo Studio repair and customization services center. This offering was only launched earlier this year as part of the grand opening of the massive Regent Street flagship.
On the other end of the price scale, the Watches of Switzerland group has opened a space featuring Rolex and three standalone boutiques in partnership with Omega, Breitling, and TAG Heuer. Its fifth showroom will see the opening of a standalone boutique in partnership with Tudor on October 28th. WoS’s showroom also features a dedicated space for Cartier, while Hublot, Longines, Grand Seiko, Zenith, Bulgari, Chanel, and Bremont complete the remaining branded areas.
Zara
As for the brand Rituals, it opens its first “premium” location in the UK and its flagship wellness center; Superdry expands its vintage offering, which it first introduced in its brand-new Oxford Street store last year, and The Body Shop presents a store in the mall made with 90% recycled and sustainable materials, along with various recharge stations.
Other prominent brands include Theory, Lacoste, Mulberry, Ralph Lauren, Aesop, Hugo Boss, Jo Malone London, and Mango, among many others.
Battersea Power Station opens amidst one of the worst periods for retail sales in the UK, but it clearly aims to achieve “supermall” status andaspires to be part of that select group of shopping centers that thrive, for better or for worse.
