Battersea Power Station opens its doors to the public for the first time in history

• Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan: Battersea Power Station will now breathe new life into this part of London – attracting more investment and boosting our economy as we build a better London for everyone
• Battersea Power Station was decommissioned in 1983 and several failed attempts were made to redevelop the site.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 14): Battersea Power Station was closed nearly four decades ago but today saw its complete revitalisation in a different role.

Oct 14, 2022 marks the first time the public can visit “this iconic architectural masterpiece and enjoy the first of its unique shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues”, Sime Darby Property stated in a media release.

To mark the occasion, a number of events have been planned such as a free, five-day ‘Festival of Power’, taking place on Oct 14 to Oct 16th, and continuing on Oct 22 and Oct 23. The programme will include live performances, family friendly activities and installations. Headlining the festival is Arcadia’s Lords of Lightning, a duelling spectacle involving multi-million volt bolts being fired between the two ‘Lords’, taking place in the six-acre Power Station Park on Oct 14, from 7pm.

An official countdown to the opening will take place in Malaysia Square, a public square to the south of the Grade II* listed Power Station, accompanied by a performance from the Battersea Power Station Community Choir.

Earlier this week, The King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, and Queen, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, of Malaysia visited Battersea Power Station to officiate the opening ceremony and unveiled a plaque to mark this historic moment.

Also kicking off today is 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.

Other highlights include an interactive heritage trail act which “nods to the history and cultural significance of the Power Station”, as well as performances from drummers and various forms of entertainment including walkabout performers, acrobats and brand activations.

Visitors can learn more about the Power Station’s Turbine Halls, which have been meticulously restored back to their former glory and transformed into “one-of-a-kind retail and leisure destination”.

Local and international brands opening new stores today include Nike, Mulberry, Theory, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Aesop, Space NK, Hugo Boss, Jo Malone London, Uniqlo and Mango. A new neighbourhood bookstore, Battersea Bookshop, from specialist bookseller Stanfords, and Curated Makers will host more than 40 local independent small businesses selling homeware, candles, clothing, artwork and more will also be opening within the Power Station. More brands will open through 2022 and 2023.

Eateries opening inside the Power Station include Le Bab, Where The Pancakes Are, Poke House, Clean Kitchen Club and Paris Baguette. Inception Group, “London’s most experiential hospitality company”, is also opening a “new bar concept”, Control Room B, in one of the original control rooms.

The Boiler House at the heart of the Grade II* listed building will host the recently announced 24,000 sq ft Arcade Food Hall from JKS Restaurants, which will open in 2023.

Meanwhile, Electric Boulevard will have high street favourite, ZARA and ZARA Home, opticians and eyewear specialists, David Clulow, and Korean food and culture hub, Oseyo. A new-concept M&S Foodhall will follow shortly along with the UK’s first art’otel, a 164 room hotel with a Michelin starred chef, Henrique Sa Pessoa, running its new restaurant, JOIA.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan was delighted to see the iconic building opening its doors for the first time in 40 years as a new addition to London’s thriving shopping and entertainment landscape.

“This redevelopment of a 20th Century London landmark has already helped to deliver new investment, vital transport links and jobs for local people. Battersea Power Station will now breathe new life into this part of London – attracting more investment and boosting our economy as we build a better London for everyone,” he said.

Simon Murphy, chief executive officer at Battersea Power Station Development Company explained that there have been challenges bringing the building “back to life”.

“Today marks a historic and hugely celebratory moment as we open Battersea Power Station and Electric Boulevard to the public.

“Many said it was impossible, several tried and failed, however through the commitment of our shareholders and with the support of many Public and Private sector stakeholders in the UK, we’ve succeeded in bringing Battersea Power Station back to life so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come,” Murphy said.

Battersea Power Station was decommissioned in 1983 and several failed attempts were made to redevelop the site. Since 2012, the station and its 42-acre surrounding site have been under the custodianship of the current shareholders, Sime Darby Property, S P Setia and the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), who have overseen the restoration of the building. In 2019, Permodalan Nasional Bhd and EPF became the long-term owners of the Power Station.

UK Investment Minister, Lord Johnson said that the development “created thousands of local jobs, across construction, retail and hospitality”.

“It’s a real testament to our thriving trade and investment partnership with Malaysia and the importance of trade for creating jobs and driving growth,” he added.

“The opening of Battersea Power Station is a turning point for this riverside neighbourhood and the pinnacle of 10 years of hard work and dedication,” said Dato’ Jagan Sabapathy, chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company

“Re-opening this prestigious building, which means so much to Londoners and the world, demonstrates what can be achieved by the Malaysian people, working collaboratively with partners from across the world, to deliver inspirational projects,” he said.