The Battersea Power Station, just south of the Thames, featured on an early Pink Floyd album cover, is now an attraction of sorts and even boasts its own stop on the Northern Line. The last time I visited London in 2015, the structure was still in the midst of being spruced up, I think. There wasn't much around the area of the power station; it wasn't a place where one visited. Now, in addition to the new tube stop, there's a Battersea Power Station ferry stop and there are loads of newly built apartment buildings, walk paths, green spaces and benches for the many folk who live in and visit the area.
Wanting to view the structure that I had always associated with Pink Floyd, I took a trip down to the power station to see it in all its refurbed glory. The exterior and environs did not disappoint.
Walking from the tube station, we were met with this view--
I really dug the newly-built apartment buildings dotting the way from the tube to the power station. There's a snippet of one of the apartment houses on the left in the above photo. These buildings are uber modern in design, not too tall and seem to fit the space, if that makes sense.
I really dug the newly-built apartment buildings dotting the way from the tube to the power station. There's a snippet of one of the apartment houses on the left in the above photo. These buildings are uber modern in design, not too tall and seem to fit the space, if that makes sense.
Here's a better shot of the apartment building from the last snap--
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| The Power Station as seen from the ferry dock. |
I had heard that the interior of the old power station housed businesses, but didn't totally think that it would look and feel like a shopping mall inside, but that is exactly what felt like. Upscale in look, but a mall nonetheless. At the very top of the structure is some sort of guest 'experience' one has the pleasure of paying for in order to access. I didn't feel like shelling out the £20 entrance fee. I did, however, go into the gift shop positioned right as the experience-goers come out of the exhibit/show/what-not. The shop stocked totes, calendars, cards, t-shirts and keychains all emblazoned with a sort of pop-art image of the old power station. None of it really floated my boat, so I left without making a purchase.
The apartment building has a touch of Gaudi about it
ReplyDeleteAgreed. There were a series of these buildings and they way they stood in relation to one another was also quite eye-catching. Really well done.
DeleteThe apartments have a really interesting look. I am glad there is green space nearby - an essential I think.
ReplyDeleteLove those skylights. And yes to Pink Floyd too.
They really do. The area around the old power station looks fab.
DeleteThey've spruced up that neighborhood nicely.
ReplyDeleteRight?!
DeleteWe have a facility in Akron with a history like the Battersea Power Station. It is the old Firestone headquarters and tire manufacturing facility, back from the time Akron was the rubber capital of the world. It has been converted to a Cleveland Clinic medical building. I took my granddaughter to her outpatient appointments there. The interior looks very much like the Power Station, except the concrete pillars that supported each floor remain. Wonderful facility.
ReplyDeleteWow. The old Firestone HQ sounds really cool. If the structure can be maintained, then why not keep these grand old buildings?
DeleteLooks like they did a fantastic interior renovation and upgrade.
ReplyDeleteIt's just all around stellar!
DeleteMay look good, but the rents and prices are astronomical.
ReplyDeleteI believe it. The upscale mall within the Battersea Power Station was enough to show me that this place isn't really for everyone.
DeleteEnjoyed a look at your London visit. Can appreciate your choosing to not write about the recent election debacle but I couldn't resist doing so.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's nice to escape into my vacation memories, but the reality here at home needs to be contended with and I am finding it difficult.
DeleteI think you made the right choice with your blog topic choice. Thanks for sharing more details about your London trip. I might have to make a trip across the pond someday.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a hoot to see the Battersea Power Station. London, post-pandemic, was vibrant and full of visitors. I was so glad to have been able to take that trip!
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