Battersea Power Station in London was the first in a series of large coal-fired electrical generating facilities set up in England as part of the National Grid power distribution system then being introduced. The first part of the structure was built in 1939, and the station ceased electricity-generation in 1983. Since then the site has remained largely unused, with numerous failed redevelopment plans from successive site owners. The building is the largest brick-built structure in Europe and is notable for its original and lavish Art Deco fittings and decor.
The building is Grade II listed, and the condition was described as "very bad" by English Heritage, who have included it on their Buildings at Risk Register. The site has been owned by Irish company Real Estate Opportunities (REO) since November 2006, after they purchased it for £400 million.
This does not impress me. The 'humble' flat in which I live on Ham Common is a Grade II* listed building. It was built between 1957 and 1958 and is still a joy to live in! So, thinking of power stations:
Be thou my breast-plate, my sword for the fight;
Be thou my armour, and be thou my might;
Thou my soul's shelter, and thou my high tower,
O raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
1 comment:
I'm glad you are not impressed. Nor am I - all that work and cost on the new project and now we are back at square one again! The new owners are giving away nothing!
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