Our recent disappointing visit to the redeveloped Battersea Power Station generated a lot of interest, so we thought we’d share some photos when we visited the site back in July 2008.
Wikipedia provides a useful overview to the power station’s history:
The building comprises two power stations, built in two stages, in a single building. Battersea A Power Station was built between 1929 and 1935 and Battersea B Power Station, to its east, between 1937 and 1941, when construction was paused owing to the worsening effects of the Second World War.
The building was completed in 1955. “Battersea B” was built to a design nearly identical to that of “Battersea A”, creating the iconic four-chimney structure.
“Battersea A” was decommissioned in 1975. In 1980 the whole structure was given Grade II listed status; “Battersea B” shut three years later. In 2007 its listed status was upgraded to Grade II*.
The building remained empty until 2014, during which time it fell into near ruin. Various plans were made to make use of the building, but none were successful.
When we visited this rather bizarre scheme was being promoted which involved a curious circular skyscraper thrusting in the landscape behind the power station.
Some of the disused instruments and dials were on display.
The vision versus reality.
It’s hard to appreciate the sheer size of the building now that it’s wedged between luxury apartments, but this photo gives some idea of the scale of what is one of the world’s largest brick buildings.
White tiled walls inside.
Cathedral like walls and windows.
The imposing overhead crane can still be seen in the modern redevelopment.
Stairways.
The iconic double cranes which were used to transfer coal from barges on the Thames.
From the archives
Here’s how the power station looked in March 2007.
View from a passing train, July 2001.
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[These photos originally appeared in smaller sizes on our sister site, urban75]
