GEHRY AND FOSTER UNVEIL LANDMARK DESIGNS FOR PHASE THREE OF BATTERSEA POWER STATION
On behalf of the Battersea Power Station shareholders, Battersea Power Station Development Company has today unveiled the plans for Phase Three of the development, designed by world-renowned architects Gehry Partners and Foster + Partners. Following an international design competition held in September 2013, the two architectural practices were chosen for the bold and innovative designs they had for both new homes and a new pedestrianised retail street in the area to the south of the Power Station. The designs reflect the shareholders’ commitment to creating world-class buildings that will complement the iconic Power Station, while becoming destinations in their own right. The project represents the first permanent development in London by Gehry Partners. Phase Three is a key part of the regeneration of the Battersea site, and will feature a new high street for London, to be known as The Electric Boulevard. This will be the main gateway to the entire Battersea development, connecting the Northern Line Extension station with the Power Station itself, and is at the heart of the vibrant new community being created on the 42-acre site.
The third phase will comprise over 1,300 homes in a range of sizes and styles in two zones on either side of the boulevard. In addition, a 160 room hotel and 350,000 sq ft. of retail and restaurant space plus additional leisure space will be delivered as part of the proposals. 103 affordable homes from the total of 517 being provided across the development will also be delivered as part of this third phase. Gehry Partners is respected for its far-ranging experience in cultural, institutional and commercial projects such as the Guggenheim in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in the practice’s home city of Los Angeles. Gehry Partners has designed the five buildings to the east of The Electric Boulevard, to be known as “Prospect Place” which will house double-height retail units at street level, approximately half of the planned residential units, a community park and multi-use community hub. “Prospect Place” will be anchored by the distinctive “Flower” building. The design of the buildings reflects Gehry’s commitment to excellence and dedication to making public and private spaces that feel good for the inhabitants and respect the surrounding context.
Foster + Partners’ projects include 30 St Mary Axe (‘the Gherkin’), the British Museum in London and the Reichstag, the new German Parliament in Berlin. The practice has designed the building to the west of The Electric Boulevard, to be known as “The Skyline” which undulates along the line of the boulevard, creating a unique building profile. Two floors of retail units will front on to the western side and huge breaks in the façade will allow light through to the public spaces below, while creating amazing gardens in the sky. The top of the entire building is given over to one of London’s largest roof gardens, over a quarter of a kilometre long, with breathtaking views of the Power Station and the city beyond. Housing the other half of the planned residential units, including the 103 units of affordable housing in its southern end, a medical centre and a 160 room hotel at the northern end, “The Skyline” is a prime example of a multi-functional building. Rob Tincknell, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, commented: “We have set out to make Battersea a showcase for the world’s very best architects and the designs we are unveiling today demonstrate that commitment in action. Phase Three is an important part of our plans for the Power Station site, creating a new thoroughfare which will be at the heart of the new vibrant community. We are determined to create a genuine sense of place, and developing landmark buildings in which people are proud to make their home and work in is vital to us achieving that aim.” Frank Gehry, Founder of Gehry Partners, said: “Our goal from the start has been to create a neighbourhood that connects into the historic fabric of the city of London, but one that has its own identity and integrity. We have tried to create humanistic environments that feel good to live in and visit.” Grant Brooker, Design Director and Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, said: “We moved our own office to Wandsworth almost twenty five years ago – the Borough is very important to us, so we were absolutely delighted to be chosen by the shareholders of Battersea Power Station to be part of this inspiring regeneration project. It will transform the area and create a vibrant new district for South London that we can all be proud of.” Ed Vaizey, Culture Minister, said: “Battersea Power Station is an iconic site and the unveiling of this exciting new design by Frank Gehry and Foster + Partners will ensure the development of this former industrial site will put Battersea on the world stage once again. The plans for a new high street for the capital show that London continues to attract the best in terms of architecture, design and innovation.” The Battersea Power Station master plan, designed by Rafael Vinoly, comprises over 3,400 homes as well as offices, shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, community and leisure facilities and 18 acres of open space. Work began on Phase One of the development, known as Circus West, in July 2013 while work on the restoration of the Grade II* listed Power Station itself is gathering pace, with the reconstruction of the first of the iconic chimneys to the original specifications set to start shortly.
