London’s landmark Battersea Power Station has become a globally recognized UK icon since it was decommissioned as a coal-fired power station in the early 1980s.
Despite closure and dereliction it has attracted attention from all manner of improbable sources around the world, from lawyers to musicians.
Architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, famous for designing the iconic red telephone box and Liverpool Cathedral, was the brains behind the beautiful Art Deco property. His gothic and modernist designs always stand a good chance of becoming the landmarks of the future.
Worldwide recognition was not just down to Scott’s creation though; many still associate the building with Pink Floyd’s album ‘Animals’ and the floating pink pig. This alone was probably enough to create a global buzz that would last for decades.
The site is now used for an eclectic mix of sporting, cultural, political and art events, as well as a set for TV programmes and films. At the end of May 2011 the building and surrounding area was turned into a DiRT 3 Gymkhana Playground by Ken Block, in conjunction with DC Shoes, Monster Energy and Ford Today.
Inspiring
What’s remarkable about the building, aside from its majestic Art Deco design, is that it’s been out of commission since March of 1975, yet remains hugely famous
Maria Stadmueller from brand-e.biz
A few days ago, passers-by could watch in wonder as the building was transformed into a giant Rubik's Cube in a spectacular lighting installation launched by Bombay Sapphire as part of their Project Your Imagination competition. People from all over the world were invited to submit their ideas for an inspiring lighting installation.
Maria Stadmueller from brand-e.biz said: “Brands really like London’s Battersea Power Station.” It’s not hard to see why: It’s a globally recognized building; it’s architecturally beautiful; and there is so much freedom for a company/ organization to temporarily transform the place into their desired vision.
Stadmueller also said: “What next for brand-platform Battersea?” The Londonista published an article recently which featured Pink Floyd’s Animals as one of the top 10 album covers of all time. They commented: “What’s remarkable about the building, aside from its majestic Art Deco design, is that it’s been out of commission since March of 1975, yet remains hugely famous (although it’s becoming infamous for the number of stalled redevelopment plans posited for its future).”
In 2008, Real Estate Opportunities Ltd (REO) was granted permission to redevelop the site with the help of law firms Ogier, Carey Olsen and Mourant Oxannes, all of whom helped to raise funds for the development.
The idea is to transform the site into a 2.4 acre landscaped park consisting of houses, office space, hotels, shops, restaurants and other attractions. Earlier this year it was suggested that the park area might be ready this summer; this now seems unlikely.
The final completion year is expected to be 2016. However, once finished, will the site remain a much loved ‘brand platform’ and global icon, or will the redevelopment damage its image, hindering future creative endeavours?
