Battersea Power Station, A Grade II building, has been a bold presence on the London skyline since the 1930s.
Colossal yet stately, the site has reinvented itself many times over, from a coal-fired power station to a global cultural icon. Now it has transformed again, into a new London destination, its slim, white-fluted towering chimneys remaining a symbol of past industrial strength.
Power and glory
Designed by British architect Giles Gilbert Scott, the creator of the red telephone box and Waterloo Bridge, Battersea Power Station originally opened in the 1930s. It was later expanded to create its distinctive four-chimney form that sits alongside the River Thames.
During the Second World War, RAF pilots navigated through blackout London by the plumes of exhaust gases from the station, which was the world’s largest coal-fired power station at the time. Till the 1960s it was the tallest building in London and one of the largest brick structures in Europe.
The hall of the main boiler house was so vast that it could fit the whole of St Paul’s Cathedral inside. At its peak, Battersea Power Station supplied a fifth of London’s electricity, including power to Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Carnaby Street, and Wimbledon.
Ressurection
After it was decommissioned in 1983, Battersea Power Station remained empty for almost 30 years. During that period, many proposals for its redesign were suggested, ranging from a theme park to a football stadium. Fortunately, none of these ambitious ideas materialised.
The historic site reopened in October 2022 after a decade-long renovation project. The developers did an amazing job restoring the original building and adding more to it. Here you can find the beautifully restored brickwork and remnants of its original interior – rusted gantries and girders, tiled pillars and Art Deco windows – revealing a glimpse of the building’s past.
The former power station now contains over 100 shops and restaurants, 46,000 square metres of office space occupied by Apple, 254 apartments, a cinema, green spaces, and a thrilling ride up one of its iconic chimneys.
Ride high into the sky
The Lift 109 experience begins in the power station’s magnificent Art Deco Turbine Hall A. This is a perfect example of the successful integration of old and new. The centrepiece of the hall is a spectacular, interactive chandelier suspended from the ceiling with eight rings of lights at varying angles. The chandelier links with a custom-made, multi-touch table directly underneath. This allows visitors to engage in an interactive game where they generate varying degrees of power to trigger the lighting above.
There are original records and short video clips, detailing the building’s rich history, architectural significance and enduring presence in popular culture. For example, it was a featured in period dramas and blockbusters like The King’s Speech, The Dark Knight, Fast & Furious and Superman III to name a few.
Pigs can fly
In public culture the power station is best known as part of the iconic Pink Floyd Animals record cover. Roger Waters came up with the concept of an inflatable pig floating over the site.
But things didn’t go as planned, as the 40-foot balloon broke from its moorings on one of Battersea’s southern chimneys, rising directly into the path of planes landing at Heathrow Airport. All flights were grounded, the Royal Air Force arrived to chase the pig. It eventually fell to the ground miles away in Kent and was subsequently returned to the capital for the photoshoot.
109 metres at the top
Now everyone can see the same view as the legendary balloon. Firstly guests take an express lift to the base of the north-west chimney from where you’ll board the brand-new glass chamber: Lift 109. Going up is a true adventure with all the sound and lights around it resembling a space ship lift, preparing to be launched into space. The glass lift ascends swiftly, then decelerates just before the top. A collective gasp from its passengers as the 360-degree view is revealed.
Once on top of the chimney, you’ll have one of London’s best views of world-famous landmarks that make up the city’s skyline, as well as a unique bird’s eye view of the regenerated power station itself and the ever growing landscape of Battersea. This unusual observation desk offers a whole new perspective on the city without any obstructions.
The friendly staff are happy to take as many photos of you as you like. The only downside is that your time at the top is limited to ten minutes, which is understandable given the number of visitors. However, the views are so stunning that you won’t want to leave. From above, the impressive and unique rebirth of Battersea Power Station is even clearer, with Lift 109 being the jewel in the crown of the project.
Tickets to Lift 109 can be booked here.
Image credits: © Lift 109, Joshua Atkins, mercycube, Charlie Round Turner, WilkinsonEyre
