Battersea Power Station: a repurposed London legend

Nearly 40 years after the London icon turned its lights off, Battersea Power Station reopens today, Friday 14 October, to the public for the first time.

From the 1930s to 1980s, Battersea Power Station was a working Power Station. At its peak, it was producing a fifth of London’s power, supplying electricity to some of London’s most recognisable landmarks, such as the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

Having closed in 1983, Battersea Power Station went on to be purchased in 1987 by Battersea Leisure for a theme park scheme, and again in 1993 by Parkview. In 2012, the Power Station is purchased by the current shareholders, SP Setia, Sime Darby Property and the Employers Provident Fund, bringing an end to decades of disuse.

Visitors will be free to explore the restored landmark and enjoy the first of its unique shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues.

Electric Boulevard, a new pedestrianised high street, that runs between Gehry Partners’ Prospect Place and Foster + Partners’ Battersea Roof Gardens to the riverside neighbourhood’s Zone 1 London Underground Station, also opens today.

Construction work officially began with Phase 1 on 4 July 2013, which marked the 80th anniversary of the historic building first generating power. Work on the new Northern Line Extension began in 2015 and Battersea Power Station Underground Station opened on 20 September 2021. In the first six months following its launch, over 2 million journeys were taken extension.

20,000 new jobs will be created at Battersea Power Station, becoming one of London’s largest office, retail, leisure and cultural quarters. Across the 42-acre site a new 24/7 community is being formed with over 250 shops, cafes and restaurants, a theatre, hotel, events venue, a 24,000 sq ft food hall within the Power Station, a medical centre, and 19 acres of public space including 450 metres of river frontage and a six-acre public park.

Inside the Turbine Halls, shoppers can find an array of British and international brands, with the first wave opening in October including the likes of Hugo Boss, Theory, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Nike, Aesop, Space NK, Ace + Tate, Lululemon, Mulberry, Jo Malone London, Uniqlo and Mango.

Other brands expected to open at the destination include Castore, Abercrombie & Fitch, Levi’s, Hackett, Superdry, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and L’Occitane.

The new high street will offer a mix of bars and restaurants, office space, shops, a park, community hub and a new 164 room hotel. Retailers already announced to be opening on Electric Boulevard later this year include Zara and a new-concept M&S Foodhall.

Brands and businesses are equally as excited as consumers about the opening, with some sharing comments regarding stores at the retail destination:

Andy Lightfoot, CEO at Space NK, said: "Our new store at Battersea Power Station will be our biggest yet at 2100sq ft, and in keeping with our position as the fastest growing global beauty brand our store is a dynamic, creative concept that places our customer at the centre of a new store experience.

"The space is unique in our portfolio, featuring numerous experiential zones encouraging customers to dwell and discover the world’s best beauty brands in a manner that suits them. From expertise pods for in depth consultations to treatment rooms offering facials across a multitude of brands the store will carry, there is something for everyone in our latest shopping destination."

Melissa Mullen, Jo Malone London VP & General Manager UK & ROI, said: "Our stores offer contemporary spaces decorated with classic details, created to inspire scented stories and this iconic London landmark provides the perfect backdrop for the Jo Malone London brand. Heritage and culture are at the core of the Battersea Power Station redevelopment, aligning itself perfectly with the Jo Malone London philosophy."

Philiipe Pinatel, Global President at MAC, said: "MAC is proud to lead the transformation of beauty retail with our new store of the future – which combines the best of the physical and digital worlds to offer a one-of-a-kind shopping experience you can only get at MAC. This is more than just a place to shop, but a destination for consumers to express their creativity and co-create their own beauty looks and styles."

Penny Grivea, Managing Director for UK & Ireland at Rituals, said: "We are so excited to be opening Rituals’ first premium store store and flagship wellbeing hub in the UK. During these ever-changing, fast-paced times, we understand the need for creating moments of joy and feeling balanced during our everyday lives.

"The new Rituals Battersea Power Station store is a tranquil space and features a Hair Temple, offering guests the opportunity to create a luxurious personalised hair ritual by discovering the most suitable elixir for their hair care formula. An in-store skincare consultation station offers customers guidance on achieving healthier, happier skin. The store’s World of Sleep is also designed to offer sophisticated luxury with our new premium home and lifestyle collections to help our customers relax, unwind and achieve a peaceful night’s rest."