An iconic London Landmark for sale

If you fancy owning a historical piece of London and have a great deal of spare cash, what about snapping up the Grade II listed Battersea Power Station?

Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the first phase of the coal-fired power station opened in 1933 and was finally completed in 1953.  It was only 30 years later that the entire building was shut down and partially dismantled. Since then work did start on a theme park project based around Britain’s industrial history, but  unfortunately the roof had been removed by the time the project was halted due to lack of funds, resulting in the building being left exposed to the elements.

There then followed proposals for offices, houses, shops and a hotel and numerous plans have been drawn up over the years, some planning approvals have been granted, some shelved and some turned down. There was even a rumour in recent years that Chelsea Football Club was planning to build a new stadium on the site.

Since decommissioning, it has proved to be a popular location for filming and has been used as a set for a number of films including the Batman movie, Monty Python’s Meaning of Life and it has also been a perfect venue for the BBC’s Doctor Who series.  The shooting of the cover of Pink Floyd’s album ‘Animals’  in December 1977 turned into a major incident when an inflatable pink pig broke away from its moorings.  The massive pig floated above Battersea Power Station and rose into the flight path as astonished pilots made their final approach to London’s Heathrow Airport!  Police helicopters were quickly scrambled and followed the pig until it landed in Kent!

The pig can be seen between the chimneys in this photo by Brian Barnes (BPSCG)

The film and television industry have been the most regular visitors to this unusual and complex site during the years whilst it waits for a workable plan to be devised for its future.

The largest brick building in Europe, with original Art Deco décor and fittings located on a 38 acre site by the Thames, is now on the market again for an estimated price of £500 million.