Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking into the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and seeing where they’re at currently. We’ll be taking a deep dive look into Crossrail, Tideway, Hinkley Point C, Battersea Power station redevelopment, Stonehenge Tunnel, HS2, Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme and Birmingham’s Big City Plan.
The third project we’ll be looking at is the Battersea Power Station redevelopment, a project transforming the 39-year-old derelict power station.
What is the Battersea Power station redevelopment?
Battersea Power Station, located in London, is undergoing a £8bn seven phased redevelopment programme to transform the power station that was decommissioned in 1983. The redevelopment of the power station will include over 3,000 new residential homes, over 100 brand new retail and restaurant spaces
The 39-year-old power station will be fully restored to create clean energy through the use of renewable fuels, design of the new project includes a complete reconstruction of the four chimneys with a glass viewing platform, enabling the public to gain a 360 view of London.
Phase one of the redevelopment started construction in 2013 was named Circus West which had the construction of a 17-storey high, 327-metre-long building including 753 new homes.
Phase two of the redevelopment includes the restoration of Battersea beginning in 2014, including the construction of new apartments, retail spaces and more.
Contractors involved in the project
For the first phase of the project construction was carried out by Carillon
The phase one design facilities were curated by Ian Simpson Architects and De Rijke Marsh Morgan
For phase two the design was provided by Wilkinson Eyre
Phase two interior designs will be made by Michealis Boyd Architects
Buro Happold will carry out the Civil engineering and various other engineering side of the project.
History of the Battersea redevelopment
1983- Power station closes down
2003- The site is possessed by Parkview who starts a 31.1bn project to restore the building
2005- The four chimneys of the site are declared unsound and irreparable, plans to knock them down are met with opposition.
2006- Battersea us bought by Real Estate Opportunities at a cost of £400M
2010- project is approved by Wandsworth Council and Mayor of London
2011- Secretary of state approves project
2013- Construction for phase 1 of project begins
2014- Ferroival Agroman Laing O-Rourke are awarded with designing and building Northern Line extension to Battersea.
2016- An estimated £13M is given to a medical centre at Battersea
2020- Phase 3 receives recommendation for approval
2025- Predicted completion year
Where is Battersea redevelopment at currently?
The Battersea redevelopment project has currently reached practical completion, this is after eight years of work- the restored project will open to the public this autumn.
The four chimneys of the power station have successfully been rebuilt, as part of the restoration they have been converted into a chimney lift experience which will see guests going 109m high of the chimney, offering spectacular views of London.
What’s Next?
Next for the restoration of Battersea Power Station is bringing in retail and leisure brands to fill in spaces ahead of the building being opened in Autumn for the first time to the public.
Some of the retail brands already confirmed are: Levi’s, Mulberry England, Superdry, Sweaty Betty, Ace & Tate, Abercrombie & Fitch, Venchi, Rox Jewllery, Lululemon, Stanfords Travel, Clarendon Fine Art, Rituals UK & Ireland, Theory, PINKO, Venchi, Castore, Watches of Switzerland, IWC Schaffhausen and Petit Pli. Leisure brands confirmed are: Third space, M & S Food Hall, David Clulow and Oseyo.
The Numbers
25,000 people living and working at the redevelopment
£8bn predicted cost to restore the power station
site covers 42 acres of land
350,000 square feet of retail and restaurant areas.
Last week we looked at Hinkley Point C, a new low-carbon nuclear power station being built in Somerset. Click here to read more.