Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms and Vauxhall - redevelopment plans and news
- Thread starter alef
- Start date
T & P
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I haven’t visited it yet, but as someone who has commuted past it for decades, I have been long yelling at clouds and to anyone who’d listen that the way the building has been entombed on three sides by residential buildings blocking the view of everything but the chimneys is a cunting disgrace. And surely in breach of one or several legislations governing listing buildings and protected views that are rightly applied to other building projects in London.
I get the fact that multiple past development projects had collapsed, and that perhaps the only way for anyone to commit to any restoration work rested on the development of adjacent land. But if that really is the case, I’d much rather they’d let the building be, rather than make it invisible from most angles just so the inside is restored to become a glorified mini Westfield.
I get the fact that multiple past development projects had collapsed, and that perhaps the only way for anyone to commit to any restoration work rested on the development of adjacent land. But if that really is the case, I’d much rather they’d let the building be, rather than make it invisible from most angles just so the inside is restored to become a glorified mini Westfield.
technical
stripey
I get your frustration, but as I understand it, there were many compromises to be made to effectively make the whole project happen. Its disappointing that views of the power station other than from the river side have pretty much gone - but then pressure for development around Battersea/Nine Elms is such that these would largely have gone even if a gap was left at the time the station itself was refurbished. Planning is often a matter of judgment rather than science, so while its not ideal from the point of view of the significance of the building it has provided a new use for it.
Ironically - the building was in a very bad state partly due to the effects of previous refurbishment projects starting but then stalling.
It really is a waste of the space. It's great that you can walk around the building outside...and that's about the only positive. When you're inside you could be anywhere which is such a waste of the building and the location. There don't even seem to be any places inside where you get a view outside? apart from the extortionate lift and maybe one bar? Just a soulless Westfield.
RoyReed
Must fly!
Went up Lift109 at BPS today (it was a Christmas present). The view from the top is OK, but you only get 8 minutes up there. The staff were bored out of their minds and completely unenthusiastic to the point where the bloke showing us into the audio visual experience, which you have to endure before you go up in the lift, said "you'll need to move around a bit, as it's quite boring". He was right.
The lift shaft
The view from the top
Some more photos here: Battersea Power Station
The lift shaft
The view from the top
Some more photos here: Battersea Power Station
RoyReed
Must fly!
The 'views' (glimpses) of the Power Station from anywhere other than the north bank of the river.
From Prince of Wales Drive (SW)
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
From Battersea Park Road (SE)
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
From the middle of Chelsea Bridge
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
From the south end of Chelsea Bridge
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
From Queenstown Road (Battersea Park)
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
From Prince of Wales Drive (SW)
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
From Battersea Park Road (SE)
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
From the middle of Chelsea Bridge
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
From the south end of Chelsea Bridge
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
From Queenstown Road (Battersea Park)
Battersea Power Station by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Went last week while in London. Food place (The Arcade) was shit. Same shops you get everywhere. Got some free stuff from the Lego shop. Play park is slightly better than most local parks. Daughter loved it though preferred the one near the Eye by the Spanish Civil War monument.
hash tag
Books, not bombs
Do what I did, get someone else to do it
That's what I'd do in a push. We queued to get in so didn't walk out like have some places when humans have been removed
Kid_Eternity
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Kid_Eternity
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
From earlier this summer, just after watching MI at the cinema.
RoyReed
Must fly!
Managed to get into Control Room A today.
Battersea Power Station - Control Room A by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station - the main control desk by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station - Carnaby St No 2 control panel - the code name for Buckingham Palace by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station- Control Room A - Art Deco ceiling by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station - Control Room A by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station - the main control desk by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station - Carnaby St No 2 control panel - the code name for Buckingham Palace by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station- Control Room A - Art Deco ceiling by Roy Reed, on Flickr
skyscraper101
0891 50 50 50
I love it. It's like something from a Bond movie.
hash tag
Books, not bombs
How did you get in to the control room; was it part of the lift experience?
Leafster
.
When I went to look around the derelict site way back in 2006 (?) for an 'open day' we weren't allowed in the Control Room which was big disappointment.Managed to get into Control Room A today.
Battersea Power Station - Control Room A by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station - the main control desk by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station - Carnaby St No 2 control panel - the code name for Buckingham Palace by Roy Reed, on Flickr
Battersea Power Station- Control Room A - Art Deco ceiling by Roy Reed, on Flickr
I'd love to have a closer look.
RoyReed
Must fly!
No, it was part of a tour. My wife spotted they were doing a few in the lead up to Christmas. I think they've all been fully booked now. We only had about 6 or 7 minutes in the control room, but it was worth it.
It's normally only open for private events.
clicker
nanook rubs it....
Went inside for the first time this week. I'm probably not the best critic, as I loathe shopping centres.
Once inside, you could be in any windowless shopping centre. The photos make it look bright, it was really dimly lit.
Did buy some kiwi berries in M and S.
Did one circuit of one floor and escaped to the sunshine.
The outside was being well used. Lots of deckchairs and surprisingly comfy fake topiary sofas. Great place to sit by the river and eat your kiwi berries.
Mrs Miggins
Eternal
We went a couple of weeks ago as people had told me it was worth visiting. It's not. Unless you like shopping centres. Will not be going back.
Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
Hideous temple to the gods of retail.
Real shame as it's a lovely building, they could have done something better and more community-centred with it.
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